Study guides · Stuff Every Kayaking Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Kayaking merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Kayaking Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: The paddler sits and uses a double-bladed paddle
Kayakers sit facing forward and use a double-bladed paddle, while canoeists typically kneel with a single blade.
Groan of the day: Sit back and enjoy the double duty of two blades.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Hunter's boat
The kayak's name translates to hunter's boat, reflecting its original use for hunting and fishing.
Groan of the day: That name is a real catch.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: It let them sneak up on shoreline animals
Stealth let hunters approach animals on the shoreline closely enough to catch them.
Groan of the day: Quiet paddling speaks volumes.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Driftwood and sometimes whale skeleton
Inuit used driftwood and sometimes whale skeleton for frames, covered with animal skin.
Groan of the day: That frame really holds its own.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Animal skin, particularly seal skin
Seal skin and other animal skins formed the waterproof body of early kayaks.
Groan of the day: That covering seals the deal.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: 1936
Kayak races became an official medal sport at the 1936 Berlin Olympics after a 1924 demonstration.
Groan of the day: Racing to the podium is a medal of honor.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Polyester and polyethylene plastic
Polyester and polyethylene plastic kayaks were introduced in the 1980s and became common.
Groan of the day: Plastic makes a lasting impression.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: It creates air space to help prevent sinking
Flotation creates air space that helps keep a water-filled kayak from sinking.
Groan of the day: Buoy, that is helpful.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: At all times on the water
A personal flotation device should be worn at all times while kayaking.
Groan of the day: Life jackets are life savers, literally.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: A helmet
A helmet is often required for kayaking and is mandatory for whitewater kayaking.
Groan of the day: Use your head and wear a helmet.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Signaling for help
A whistle is safety gear used to signal for help on the water.
Groan of the day: Sound the alarm, politely.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Helping rescue other kayakers
Throw ropes are safety gear used to help rescue other kayakers.
Groan of the day: Throw a line, save a friend.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: A dry suit, wetsuit, or spray top
Dry suits, wetsuits, and spray tops help protect kayakers from cold water or air.
Groan of the day: Don't get cold feet about dressing right.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: In an open deck above the water level
Sit-on-top kayaks put the paddler on an open, shallowly concave deck above the water.
Groan of the day: Sit on top and top the fun.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: It adds buoyancy and stores equipment
A dry hatch provides extra buoyancy and space to store gear.
Groan of the day: Store gear and store buoyancy too.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Let water drain out of the boat
Through holes allow water that got in the boat to drain through the deck and dry hatch.
Groan of the day: Let it drain, no need to complain.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Creates a water-resistant seal around the waist
A spray skirt seals around the paddler's waist to keep water out of the cockpit.
Groan of the day: Skirt the water and stay dry.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Paddlers can push against the walls to tip
Paddlers can push against the cockpit walls to tip the boat and complete maneuvers.
Groan of the day: Get a feel for the walls and tip the scales.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Doing tricks and maneuvers
Play boats are usually very short kayaks used for tricks and maneuvers.
Groan of the day: Short boat, big fun.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Open deck with the paddler sitting below deck level
Inflatable kayaks have an open deck, but the paddler sits below the deck level.
Groan of the day: Inflate your fun.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Duckies
Inflatable kayaks are often affectionately called duckies.
Groan of the day: That nickname is just ducky.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: A kayak configured for multiple paddlers
Tandems are configured for multiple paddlers, unlike single person designs.
Groan of the day: Two paddlers, one boat, double the fun.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Diving, fishing, and search and rescue
Kayaks are useful for diving, fishing, wilderness exploration, and search and rescue.
Groan of the day: Kayaks wear many hats, and life jackets.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: The catch phase
The forward stroke begins with the catch phase, planting the blade in the water.
Groan of the day: Catch the wave and the phase.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: 45 percent toward one side of the kayak
The torso rotates 45 percent toward one side while the opposite blade is planted.
Groan of the day: Turn your torso and turn heads.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Down forward by the toes
The blade is planted down forward by the toes, fully submerged and facing forward.
Groan of the day: Toe the line and plant that blade.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Unwinding the torso rotation
The power phase begins by unwinding the torso rotation wound up in the catch phase.
Groan of the day: Unwind and power up.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: The core
The core provides 60 percent of the energy in the power stroke.
Groan of the day: Get to the core of good paddling.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: 30 percent
The push and pull arm motion provides 30 percent of the power stroke energy.
Groan of the day: Arm yourself with good technique.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: 10 percent of the stroke energy
Extending the leg against the foot peg on the stroke side provides 10 percent of the energy.
Groan of the day: Put your best foot forward.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Paddling past the hip drags water and wastes energy
Lifting the paddle at the hip avoids dragging water, which does not add forward motion.
Groan of the day: Exit on a high note.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Performing the next catch phase quickly
A rapid lift helps the paddler quickly perform the next catch phase.
Groan of the day: Lift quick, catch quick.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Paddling to a dive site with gear in the kayak
Kayak divers paddle to a dive site carrying all their gear in the kayak.
Groan of the day: Dive into a new adventure.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: It avoids the cost of a dive boat operator
Kayak diving is a cheaper alternative to powered boats and gives divers independence.
Groan of the day: Save money, make waves.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: They can reach shallow water and quiet spots
Kayaks allow access to shallow water and quiet areas away from crowds.
Groan of the day: Fish fear no motor, just quiet paddles.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Debris that strains out kayakers like a colander
Strainers are debris in the river that can trap kayakers, named for how they strain.
Groan of the day: Avoid strainers, they are not draining.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Water level and debris in the river
Rapid difficulty often changes with water level and debris in the river.
Groan of the day: Go with the flow, but check the level.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Speed on open water
A surfski is a long, performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water.
Groan of the day: Surf the ski, ski the surf.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Cold water and air can quickly cause hypothermia
Cold water and air temperatures in winter can quickly lead to hypothermia.
Groan of the day: Winter paddling is no snow joke.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Clothing that negates the effects of the elements
Winter kayaking requires clothing that negates the effects of cold water and air.
Groan of the day: Dress for the chill, not the thrill.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Tilts the blades to reduce wind resistance
Off-set paddles have tilted blades that reduce wind resistance while the other blade is in the water.
Groan of the day: Offset the wind, offset the worry.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Intended use, paddler height, and preference
Paddle length and shape vary with intended use, paddler height, and personal preference.
Groan of the day: Size up your paddle, size up your fun.
Sources: Kayaking
Short answer: Check the forecast before heading out
Checking conditions ahead helps you anticipate hazards and decide whether paddling is safe.
Groan of the day: Check the forecast so you are not caught under the weather.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: Drink water regularly on the water
Regular drinking helps prevent dehydration before thirst becomes severe.
Groan of the day: Keep water handy so dehydration does not get a head start.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: Use sun protection and cover up
Sun protection and covering up help prevent sunburn on exposed water.
Groan of the day: Cover up so the sun does not make you red-faced.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: Reduce friction on your hands
Reducing friction helps prevent blisters from repeated paddle contact.
Groan of the day: Ease the rub so blisters do not raise a bump in your plans.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: The Scouting America Safety Afloat policy
Safety Afloat explains how safety rules apply to kayaking activities.
Groan of the day: Know the policy so safety does not float away.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: The Scouting America swimmer test
The swimmer test must be completed before those on-water requirements.
Groan of the day: Pass the swim test so you are not all wet when it counts.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: Removing water from the kayak
A bilge pump is safety equipment used to get water out of a kayak.
Groan of the day: Pump out water so your kayak does not become a bathtub.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
Short answer: Soaking up small amounts of water
A sponge is listed safety gear for handling water inside the kayak.
Groan of the day: A sponge soaks up trouble before it pools.
Sources: Scouting America: Kayaking
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
The paddler sits and uses a double-bladed paddle. Kayakers sit facing forward and use a double-bladed paddle, while canoeists typically kneel with a single blade.
Signaling for help. A whistle is safety gear used to signal for help on the water.
Duckies. Inflatable kayaks are often affectionately called duckies.
Paddling past the hip drags water and wastes energy. Lifting the paddle at the hip avoids dragging water, which does not add forward motion.
Tilts the blades to reduce wind resistance. Off-set paddles have tilted blades that reduce wind resistance while the other blade is in the water.
Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.
This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 21 are in the game for members.
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