Staying Balanced in a Kayak

Because of his varied professional background, Florida's Bill Oliver has experience in industries as diverse as microbiology and mechanical engineering. The former resident of Charleston, South Carolina, now works in medical sales. In his free time, Bill Oliver enjoys kayaking in Florida.

While the narrow design of kayaks helps them move smoothly through the water, the shape also makes them prone to wobbling and flipping over. For this reason, kayakers must constantly maintain good balance by keeping the upper body upright and straight. This requires the use of the core muscles.

As the body is kept upright, the lower back and legs must be kept loose. This lets kayakers move freely and smoothly with the kayak. Jerking a kayak in any direction increases the risk that the craft will overturn.

Good balance in a kayak also relies upon the direction the kayaker is looking. Kayakers should keep their eyes on the horizon at all times and avoid looking at the bow of the boat.