By Bill Vonnegut

Bio

​Bill is an ACA Advanced Coastal Kayaking Coach and owner of Pacific Coastal Kayaking. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is now based out of Portland, Oregon and runs classes along the US west coast from Oregon to Baja, California. http://pacificcoastalkayaking.com

More than one gear – revving up your forward stroke

Possibly the most important paddling skill is the forward stroke. While most folks can hop in a kayak and move forward with no instruction, there are situations where a good forward stroke is essential. Environmental factors such as wind or current can stop or even reverse forward progress.

Having the ability to make an additional effort can significantly shorten paddling time and reduce fatigue. Taking some time to develop a second and third gear for your forward stroke will build confidence and is key to paddling in dynamic conditions.

Having confidence in personal ability is vital for improving paddling skills. Knowing an extra effort can be made for a short time can give individuals the confidence to execute the job at hand. Making a mental choice to provide this extra effort beyond the comfort zone is also needed.

First gear

A paddling speed of three knots is widely recognized as average for a kayaker and can be obtained by most paddlers with a bit of practice. Nevertheless, there will be times when opposing environmental forces will require an additional effort. To improve comfort beyond the limits of calm protected waters, the ability to add another gear beyond a three-knot pace is needed.

Second gear

Suppose, a newer kayaker only capable of paddling three knots (first gear) takes a short one-mile journey to a coastal bay entrance. Once arriving at the entrance, they spend time enjoying sights while having a bite to eat. After taking in the scenery, they decide to return home and find the tide has changed and the current has started to run against them at 2.5 knots, this slows their forward progress to .5 knots. During the now two-hour return trip, fatigue will most likely cause their pace to slow; what was once a relaxing journey becomes an improbable task.

Had this individual embarked on the trip with the ability to attain a second gear pace of even four knots, this scenario could have turned out quite different, forward progress would now be 1.5 knots and the return trip would now take 45 minutes. Adding a second gear is essential when paddling against current or wind, significantly reducing paddling time.

Third gear

For paddlers with interest in activities such as tide races, surfing and rock gardening, the ability to quickly accelerate for a short period is necessary. Third gear will require a powerful high cadence stroke, quickly accelerating the kayak up to speed. This pace is not meant to be sustainable for long periods unless the goal is to become an Olympic sprinter.

A few quick strokes to drive across an eddy line may be all it takes to access a tide race. Or in the case of coastal paddling, there will undoubtedly be times when launching through surf will be needed. During a surf launch, a paddler will find quickly accelerating the kayak up to speed is required to compensate for the energy of oncoming ocean waves. A short burst of power between waves can be all it takes to avoid being pushed back toward the beach, in some cases preventing a capsize. To counteract the opposing wave energy, forward momentum greater than the wave’s force is needed, the bigger the wave, the more power required. Having a third gear will significantly improve access to dynamic water play.

For those whose ultimate goal is to have fun surfing or playing in rock gardens, the ability to accelerate and match wave/water speed, possibly over five knots, is a necessity. Quickly getting up to speed is necessary for catching that perfect wave you have been waiting for all day. When rock gardening, matching the water’s speed is needed as it flows over or through the rocks. Falling behind the surge can potentially leave a paddler sitting on bare rock as the water withdraws in front of the next wave, not a good place to be.

Fitness

Becoming a better paddler is an excellent motivation for increasing fitness, and being fit can increase confidence.

Having physical reserves to draw upon is essential to meet environmental challenges while paddling. For many, with busy schedules paddling every day as fitness is not an option, some regular exercise is needed. Doing something as simple as a brisk walk and a few pushups whenever time allows can significantly improve paddling stamina. Often during paddling, extra power is only needed for a short time. Finding time to get exercise can make a big difference when revving up to a higher gear is necessary.

When I get out for a hike, bike ride or just a walk, I will try and find times to push my heart rate up a bit, telling myself this will make next weekend’s surf session more enjoyable and safer if I have more energy in the tank.

Technique

Along with fitness, good technique is needed to transfer power from paddle to kayak, generating more performance with less effort. Classes were beneficial when I first started paddling, learning many things that I didn’t know. Instruction can help progress in the sport when accompanied by practising what is learned. Seek out a professional instructor with a background in racing or is highly experienced in the paddling you desire and benefit from their experience. Having both good technique and fitness will create an efficient forward stroke that can be used in any conditions.

Support

Paddling in conditions is a team sport. Having a group able to assist and encourage each other when conditions get dicey is beneficial to all. This team approach gives support to all when pushing out of one’s comfort zone and can increase the whole group’s ability level.

To be an asset to the team, paddlers need to move forward through wind and current with enough reserve to help their fellow kayakers in case assistance is required. Getting into position quickly to do a rescue in conditions requires boat control and a good forward stroke.

Suck it up

There will come a time while paddling where you will need to suck it up, dig in, and paddle harder than comfortable. With time and practice, you will be ready to step it up when more gears are needed.