The Basics for Paddling in Adventure Racing:
First and foremost, it is important to learn to kayak with a qualified instructor. If you get the basics right, the rest becomes easier. Canoes Plus Kayak School / Canoes Plus Adventure Experience teach you all the basics you need in any craft, but also offer ongoing training, coaching and mentoring. Come and join us for your paddling journey so you don't feel out of your depth before you have mastered the paddle leg.
Learn to kayak with a qualified Instructor
A beginner paddler in adventure racing should start with a stable boat that matches skill level. This enables the racer to start mastering proper full-body stroke mechanics, and practice navigation and safety drills on the water. [1, 2, 3]. It is a great idea to improve your kayak leg, and easily improve your overall scores.
2. Master Proper Technique (It’s Not Just Arms)
Use your core and legs: Paddling is a total-body movement; your arms tire quickly if you rely on them alone. Generate power through your torso rotation and leg drive rather than just pulling with your arms.
The forward stroke: Place the blade in the water near your toes (a good "catch"), pull it back parallel to the hull, and use your top hand to push/punch forward rather than just yanking backward.
Keep an even cadence: Focus on making your strokes even on both sides to track straight toward a land marker. [1, 2, 3]
3. Choose the Right Boat and Equipment
Prioritize stability over speed: Beginners should use a wide, stable recreational kayak, sit-on-top, or plastic ski rather than a narrow racing craft that compromises your stroke and balance.
Fit your gear: Adjust your foot pedals so your knees are slightly bent and braced, and wear a properly secured life jacket (PFD) with the bottom buckle tightened.
Select the proper paddle: Use a double-bladed kayak paddle (or canoe paddle if your race requires canoes) with an appropriate shaft length and blade size for your height and strength. [1, 2, 3]
4. Learn water Safety and Self- Rescue
Practice wet exits and remounts: Intentionally capsize in a safe environment, practice getting out of your craft, and practice re-entering (remounting) a kayak or ski from the water.
Train in diverse conditions: Don't just practice on calm glass-flat lakes; practice crossing swells, dealing with wind, and handling light current so you aren't surprised on race day. [1, 2, 3, 4]
5. Practice On-the-Water Navigation
Combine paddling with map reading: Adventure racing uniquely requires you to navigate, locate checkpoints, and read maps while afloat. Practice steering to specific island, peninsula, or bridge waypoints using a waterproof map case.
6. Start Training for the Distance you are paddling.
Join a club or clinic: Connect with local paddling groups —improving your efficiency here can gain you massive time advantages over competitors who cross over from sports like triathlon. Canoes Plus Racing Team / Canoes Plus Kayak Club offer ongoing training during the week, as well as coached sessions to improve your paddling. Dont forget that training is specific to your discipline, and paddling for distance is not the same as running or biking.