High brace

Braces are used to right a kayak should it start to tip. The high brace is for more extreme bracing. Be careful, however. An overly extended high brace puts you in the perfect position for a shoulder dislocation.

For a high brace, keep your elbows low and against your side. The paddle shaft should be horizontal and at shoulder height. Pull down sharply, slap the paddle against the water and simultaneously roll the boat upright with your hips. Dropping your head to your shoulder (toward the water) can help lower your center of gravity, making the brace easier.

You may need to roll the paddle backwards (a micro-mini forward stroke) to cleanly recover the paddle from the water. Think of rolling your paddle 90* and slicing it up out of the water.

Done to extremes, you can fall all the way into the water and pop upright with a high brace. Be careful, however, as you can easilly injure yourself playing such games. If I find that I need to move my elbows away from my side, its better to capsize and roll than to brace upright. A shoulder is just too valuable to take chances with.