Kayakers??

I wish I could help you but I've only sea-kayaked, so I have no idea how long river kayaking would take.

However, a few tips:
-Don't death-grip the paddles or you will get blisters, hold them with a firm but relaxed grip.
-Keep your core engaged while paddling - if you try to use only your arms, they'll get tired a lot faster

-This is hard to describe, but bear with me - on long smooth stretches where you don't have to do a lot of steering and are going more for speed (I don't know how often this happens on the river but on the ocean it's most of the time), try not to reach out in front of you too far with the paddle. It overextends your back. And when the paddle goes in the water it should slice right in, not pat on top or splish splash too mucn. This last tip may be a bit more advanced than you need considering you've never kayaked, but think about it if you're feeling good out there. Otherwise just concentrate on staying upright.

Good luck!

Hi there,

Start working more if not already on your core (back, hips, abdominals, obliques, everything that connects your arms, legs, neck, and head). You generate effective stroke and techniques from your core when kayaking.

I run 6 miles every 2-3 days, cycle 20 miles in between and 4 hours of kayaking on weekends (at least 1-2x/month if schedule and weather permits). If you are a runner and have decent upper body endurance and you'd kayak downstream (wind resistance can be a killer! much of it I experience in open water) 90 minutes of paddling is not going to put much dent on your time.

Youtube kayaking body mechanics etc. (a lot of videos out in youtube) to learn more or go to a community paddling/kayaking class.

Goodluck OP! Go get it!

Depending on the speed of the current and how deep it is the day of the race, you won't have to paddle too aggressively. Try to stay in the middle of the river to avoid obstacles on either side. Also, and I say this because I'm not sure how big the rapids are but follow some of the other race goers as they go down the rapids to make sure you don't flip.

If it were me, I'd borrow a kayak or rent one and actually float the river at least once to get an idea of it's layout, where the rapids are, which route to take through them, see if there are any fallen trees in the river I'm going to have to go under or over, and to get an idea of its usual current.

Good luck.

joehempel wrote: »

Thank you! Will look up the videos!!

So is 90 minutes doable?? I've got no experience so no real expectations.

YES it is doable.

Paddling a kayak 3.5 mph on still water shouldn't be a problem for anyone in shape that has practiced enough they can keep it in a straight line. With current in your favor you should be able to hit at least 4 mph. which would give you 90 min. for 6 miles.
Takes a lot of folks 3-5 times out before they really get the kayak under control , then it's second nature, so practice.
All this of course depends on the shape of the boat. Generaly , long narrow sharp pointed boats (viewed from above) are faster and more unstable (They seem to want to be upside down on the water with you under water ) and short wide blunt nosed boats are more stable but slower. Gloves might help with blisters.
I would just practice and do the race and enjoy it . What the heck next time you'll do better (((;
Don't forget flotation gear.
Have Fun.

I am a whitewater kayaker but it's an extreme sport. It is Great exercise for your abs as well as your cardio and gives you great upper arm strength. The only thing you have to learn is how to do a combat role if your Kia gift flipped upside down in a dangerous rapid. But I think you're talking about something a little less mild. Do a lot of push-ups.

Yep, you can do it. You say you have decent upper body strength (do you lift? That will help. You need a strong back for paddle racing.) practice with a kayak all you can. I just did a similar race last month, the lady who was launching beside me had never kayaked in her life, won first place for her age group (probably 10 or so competitors), had taken a rowing class to prepare but said afterward she shouldnt have wasted her time because it didn't compare. We raced on a large river with 1 foot swells. The key to you making decent time is not dumping the boat! Practicing launches and landings will help prevent that.

I would guess that they are running the course on what is a Class II river section, maybe even a Class I, just to be safe. The misconception is that the accidents that injure or kill kayakers the most happen on Class IV & V rivers. Sadly, the statistics do not support this. Even the most experienced paddlers have dislocated a shoulder or torn elbow tendons on so called "Easy" water due to a misplaced or mistimed paddle stroke.

Having seen more than I care to recall. I would ask that you err on the side of caution. If you want to race and want to try to win, find a beginners kayaking course and take it. LEARN HOW TO ROLL! It takes far more than the rest of the people here are telling you or can be described in this format to get you prepared for this. Despite what some others are saying it is far more than an upper body workout and nowhere near as easy as they are making it out to be. Also, having taught people to kayak I have seen some of the "mentally toughest" guys & girls cry like babies after their first experience stuck in an upside down kayak in their first attempt to do an unassisted roll. Struggling to get their paddle set up properly for the roll, failing a proper roll attempt, getting their head out of the water just far enough to get a half a breath of air, a mouthful of water, panic sets in, paddle floats away as they struggle to pull their skirt off and push themselves out of the kayak. All the while I am standing next to them in flat, calm, waist deep water. Even if the kayak is a sit on top, the shear look of panic on your face with the total loss of control in that situation the first dozen or more times you take a swim is enough to get you in serious trouble. Everyone, and I mean 100% of the people that go for an unexpected swim will attempt to stand up. Despite being told numerous times not to do it. As I paddled towards them I would have to scream at them over and over not to try to stand up, to roll onto their backs, feet facing down stream. Then I would have to almost fight them off as they tried to grab me or my paddle instead of the special rope I am telling them to hold onto.

I hope you change your mind and attain a proper attitude about what can really happen when pitting yourself against mother nature. Not much more that I can do then tell you what I've experienced as a professional in dealing with all types of swift water. If I seem like an *ss about this it's because I have seen the end results of someone that thought they knew better. They would say "There are no big rocks, the waves are only 6"-8" tall, I'm a good swimmer, I have a life jacket on, if I fall out or lose my boat I'll just swim to shore."