How To Get Faster At Kayaking (Without Putting In Extra Hours)

The best way to get faster at kayaking is to practice and paddle as often as possible. Another way to get better and faster is by joining a kayaking club or group where you can learn from other experienced kayakers.

If you want to become a faster kayaker, keep reading to find out how.

Key Takeaway’s

• Kayaking is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the scenery.
• To become faster at kayaking, practice proper technique and paddling with a purpose.
• Start by practicing your strokes in slow, controlled movements.
• Once the basic technique is down, try paddling in different directions and speeds.
• With practice, you will be able to paddle faster and more efficiently.

Here’s The Answer To How To Get Faster At Kayaking

Assuming you want tips on how to get faster at kayaking:

• Invest in a comfortable and lightweight kayak– You don’t want to be weighed down by a bulky kayak when trying to speed through the water. A lighter kayak will also help you conserve energy as you paddle.
• Improve your stroke technique– A smooth and efficient stroke will help you move faster through the water with less effort. Practice keeping your arms straight and using your shoulder muscles to power your strokes.
• Increase your paddling cadence– Paddling faster can help you move through the water more quickly. Try increasing your paddling rate by 10 strokes per minute and see if it makes a difference in your speed.
• Use leg drive to power your strokes– In addition to arm strength, leg drive can also help you paddle faster. Practice extending your legs and using your thigh muscles to power each stroke.
• Condition your body for kayaking– Building up strength and endurance will help you paddle faster without getting tired. Incorporate upper body and core exercises into your routine, such as pull-ups, sit-ups, and plank holds.

Strengthen Your Back Muscles

To get faster at kayaking, you’ll have to strengthen the muscles in your back. These muscles pull your paddle through the water and propel you forward through each stroke.

If you’re not strong enough, it will be harder for them to do what they need to do.

To strengthen your back muscles, try these exercises:

• While standing and holding a dumbbell or weight plate, bend forward from the waist until you feel a stretch in your upper back (not lower) area. Hold this position for 30 seconds before returning upright and repeating 2 more times on each side (total of 3 sets). Then repeat with lighter weights (e.g., 2 lbs.).
• Lie faceup on a mat while holding two 4-lb dumbbells over both shoulders with straight arms extended upward toward the ceiling, keeping elbows bent 90 degrees throughout this exercise; slowly lower dumbbells behind head until they touch the floor behind neck level, then raise again under control until fully extended overhead completing one repetition (do 10 repetitions).

Improve Your Stamina

Stamina is important for kayaking because it’s the ability to keep going. It may not sound like much, but stamina is a crucial component of physical fitness that helps you do anything from paddling your kayak or running up a mountain.

Stamina also encompasses mental fitness because if you’re struggling with your stamina, you might lose focus or get discouraged.

Stamina can be improved by doing cardio exercises such as running or cycling. Still, those aren’t always viable options for everyone—for example, if you’re injured or don’t have access to a gym membership in the wintertime.

Here are some exercises that can help improve your stamina:

• Jogging around town: If running isn’t an option for you due to injuries or busy schedules, just walking around town is still great exercise! You’ll still be getting some cardio benefits without putting too much strain on yourself physically or mentally (as long as there aren’t any potholes along the way).

Get Lighter And More Streamlined

It will be difficult to paddle if you’re on a river and wearing a heavy jacket, especially if the current is strong.

Make sure your clothes are light enough not to get in your way when paddling and that they don’t restrict your movement.

Try wearing one or two layers instead of three or four for better maneuverability.

Practice In Different Conditions

You should do this because it will help you to improve your skills, speed, endurance, and strength.

I’ll give you an example: one time in San Diego, I paddled with some friends on a sunny day. It was perfect weather for kayaking, and we were having a blast.

Everything went fine until the lightning started striking all around us! We quickly realized we needed to get out of the water before the storm worsened.

So we tried to paddle our boats back to shore as fast as possible while dodging lightning bolts (it was pretty scary).

Stay Mentally Strong

The first step to getting faster at kayaking is staying mentally strong.

You can do this by visualizing yourself going fast and practicing positive thinking and visualization.

Avoid negative thoughts like “I’m going too slow” or “This boat is too heavy.”

What Are Some Effective Kayaking Workouts?

When it comes to kayaking, the best way to get faster is by doing various workouts.

You’ll want to focus simultaneously on your upper body strength and cardio endurance.

Some effective exercises include weight training, cardio workouts like running or swimming, rowing, and even biking.

What Are Some Helpful Tips For Increasing My Speed While Kayaking?

While there are a huge number of things you can do to increase your speed while kayaking, here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful:

• Practice in a wide variety of conditions. You can’t always control the weather or the water levels (they change every day), but if you can pick up on patterns based on conditions, you will be able to make adjustments for those specific situations. For example, if it rains all day long and the river is full, it may be better for your training session to stay near the shore because it will be calmer than out in open waters.
• Practice in different water types. This can include everything from rivers and lakes to oceans and ponds! The more experience you have with each type of body of water, the better equipped you’ll be when encountering something new during an upcoming trip or competition event.

Are There Any Specific Techniques I Can Use To Make Myself Faster At Kayaking?

Here are some ideas to help you move faster:

• A shorter shaft will make it easier to turn your boat.
• A smaller blade will be more maneuverable, allowing you to turn quickly when needed.
• Less weight means less resistance in the water, making it easier for you to glide across the surface.
• Better grip means a better hold on your paddle, less force exerted on each stroke, and frequent opportunities for correcting mistakes made during the paddling technique (more on this below).
• Larger blades mean more power per stroke, which translates into increased speed over long or short distances where there is little current (more on below).

Final Thoughts

If you want to get faster at kayaking, you can do a few things. Make sure you have the right equipment.

Practice your paddling technique. Build up your endurance by practicing regularly. With the right preparation, you can kayak faster and enjoy the sport more.

Frequently Asked Questions