How to Kayak Faster
Kayakers often desire to paddle faster for various reasons like racing, fitness or efficiency on longer trips. Learning to kayak faster is a time-intensive process as it requires investment in developing strength, skill and knowledge. With proper instruction and practice, any kayaker can learn to paddle faster in a variety of water conditions.
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Instructions
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Strengthen your muscles. Fast kayaking requires strong arms and a strong core as both are crucial to paddling. Choose exercises that strengthen arms, shoulders and back. Consider doing core work with a resistance band or stability ball. Yoga and Pilates are also excellent core-strengthening exercises.
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Master paddling techniques. To kayak faster, you must master proper paddling techniques; it is difficult to attain speed with an inaccurate or sloppy stroke. Consider taking a class to learn specific paddling strokes intended for speed. Instructors will be able to recognize and correct your technique in ways that you cannot, which is invaluable in the development process.
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Practice. The more you paddle, the stronger you will become. During the paddling season, aim to be on the water at least three times per week. When paddling, focus on speed drills and long-distance trips -- both will strengthen different areas of your body and skills. Remember to take breaks from speed practice to simply enjoy the experience of paddling.
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Use a streamlined boat. No matter how hard you paddle, a recreational kayak is only going to go so fast. To kayak faster, choose a boat that is built for speed and long-distance travel. On these boats, the hulls will be shaped to allow smooth, fast movement through the water. Keep in mind that longer kayaks are not necessarily faster for the non-racing paddler; in fact, the increased wet surface area can require increased effort.
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Maintain your boat. Treat your boat well and avoid scratching the hull; each scratch increases the surface area that comes into contact with the water, thereby increasing friction. More friction requires increased effort to maintain speed. If you notice any large pieces of plastic around a scratch, shave them off with a razor. You can also use a hairdryer to smooth scratches, but use caution to avoid causing more damage.
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