The Long Distance Touring Stroke by Ed Gillet Many athletic people, accustomed to using their legs for transportation, are nonplused when they are faced with their first 15 mile paddle. Long-distance kayaking like cycling, skiing, hiking and other endurance pursuits, requires conditioning, training, and above all proper paddling technique. In this essay, I'd like to sketch the elements of an efficient kayaking stroke, so that anyone, regardless of size and strength, can paddle confidently over many miles. Efficient paddling doesn't require a great deal of upper body strength.
Some conditions do require power - surfing, sprinting, and paddling against a strong wind.
But most of the time on a kayak trip you'll be trying to keep the boat moving forward at the cruising pace of 2.5 to 3.5 knots. Beginning kayakers are all arms when they paddle. All they can think about is pulling the paddle through the water. Beginners seem to be clawing at the water. An accomplished paddler's stroke looks longer and smoother.