All worksheets / Kayaking
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Kayaking
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Kayaking starts on calm water with safety fundamentals and paddle strokes. You must pass the BSA swimmer test before getting afloat. Requirement 6 tests your composure with a controlled capsize, wet exit, and self-rescue in deep water, so bring a towel and be ready to spend real time in the water.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Kayak Safety & Personal Flotation Devices
- Kayak Anatomy & Paddle Selection
- Wet Exits & Paddle-Float Self-Rescue
- Paddling Strokes & Open Water Maneuvering
7Printable Pages
8Requirements
2020Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Kayaking Requirements
Every requirement for the Kayaking merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards, First Aid, and Safety Afloat
Do the following:
- a Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in kayaking activities, including weather and water-related hazards, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
- b Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that can occur while kayaking: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, sunburn, sprains, and strains.
- c Review the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy. Explain to your counselor how this applies to kayaking.
2Swimmer Test
Before doing requirements 3 through 8, successfully complete the Scouting America swimmer test. Note: See the Swimming merit badge pamphlet for details about the Scouting America swimmer test.
3Life Jackets and Safety Equipment
Do the following:
- a Review the characteristics of life jackets most appropriate for kayaking and understand why one must always be worn while paddling. Then demonstrate how to select and fit a life jacket for kayaking.
- b Review the importance of safety equipment such as a signal device, extra paddle, sponge, bilge pump, flotation bags, and throw bag.
4Parts, Design, and Care of a Kayak
Do the following:
- a Name and point out the major parts of a kayak.
- b Review the differences in the design between recreational, whitewater, and sea or touring kayaks. Include how length, width, stability, and rocker are involved in the design of each type.
- c Explain the care, maintenance, and storage of a kayak.
5The Paddle and Its Care
Discuss the following:
- a Correct methods for the use of a kayak paddle
- b Parts of a paddle
- c The care and maintenance of a paddle
6Capsize, Wet Exit, and Rescues
Using a properly equipped kayak with an open cockpit, a sit-on-top, or an inflatable kayak, do the following:
- a Safely capsize and perform a wet exit.
- b Reenter the kayak with assistance from a buddy boat.
- c Demonstrate a kayak-over-kayak rescue.
- d Demonstrate the HELP position.
- e Capsize the kayak, swim it and the paddle to shore, and empty water from the kayak with assistance if needed.
7The Six Basic Strokes
As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:
- a Forward stroke
- b Backstroke
- c Forward sweep
- d Reverse sweep
- e Draw stroke
- f Stern draw
8Boat Control and the Figure 8
As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:
- a Paddle a straight line for 15 to 20 boat lengths using appropriate strokes while maintaining trim and balance of the kayak.
- b Spin or pivot from a stationary position 180 degrees (half circle) to the right and left within two boat lengths.
- c Move abeam to the right 10 feet and to the left 10 feet.
- d Stop the boat in one boat length.
- e While maintaining forward motion, turn the kayak 90 degrees to the right and left.
- f Move the kayak backward three to four boat lengths using appropriate and effective reverse strokes.
- g Paddle the kayak in a buoyed figure 8 course around markers three to four boat lengths apart.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Kayaking requirements in 2020. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/kayaking/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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