This hardshell clip is a how-not-to lesson: I let go of my paddle with one hand, didn't brace, and nearly flipped.
Video: hardshell kayaking on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
What went wrong
When I let go with one hand, I lost my brace. When the boat tipped, I had no blade on the water and nothing to level the boat with. In a hardshell that's a fast trip upside down.
What I took from it
Keep both hands on the paddle. Bracing is a skill I learned properly from people who could coach me, and it's one to learn from an instructor, not an article. The mindset side is in Don't Flinch: Be Proactive, Not Reactive.
Inflatables are a different story, since you sit on top of the boat instead of inside it. More in Why Inflatable Kayaks Flip, and Why Self-Rescue Matters. For a slowed-down look at a real flip, watch Breakdown of my kayak flip on the Upper Clackamas.
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
