Training Hints for the Kayak Leg of Ski to Sea | story by Dawn Groves
Perhaps the most anticipated Bellingham Bay paddle is the kayak leg of the Ski to Sea Race. Zuanich Point Park transforms itself from a grassy seaside retreat into a colorful chaos of more than four-hundred kayaks with twice as many people, everyone checking weather updates and waiting for the call to paddle.
Many Ski to Sea paddlers don’t care about winning so they blow off the importance of training regimens. Bad idea. Training develops confidence and proficiency. It prevents you from overestimating your skills and underestimating the conditions. And it makes you safer on the water.
Here are a few suggestions to help make the best use of training time before the Ski to Sea Race in May:
BETWEEN NOW & THE RACE
• Try paddling twice a week starting in March, more often if you have time. Train in the bay as well as in lakes. Salt water has a wilder feel and the conditions are completely different. Be sure to spend a couple of training sessions doing the race course itself.
• Improve your stroke. Ask a kayaking coach to evaluate your forward stroke. Small improvements in posture and rotation can make a big difference in your endurance, speed and efficiency.
• Lift weights. Start weight training your arms, back, and legs at least six weeks before the race to give the muscles time to build. This will help with your stamina and your ability to gracefully enter and exit the boat.
• Paddle the boat you’ll use in the race. Don’t train in one boat and race in another. Race day can be a mixed bag of weather and you don’t need any surprises out there.
• Train in chop. Never mind the five-mile (4.3 NM) course or the other race competitors. The biggest adversary is the moody weather. Textured water is unnerving if you’re not used to it. Learn to embrace the energy of sea by practicing with buddies under choppy conditions.
• Practice in sprints. Paddle in short, high-exertion aerobic sprints followed by slower cool down strokes. Do this several times during your training session to strengthen the heart and lungs as well as the muscles.
AT THE RACE
• Use a water bladder. In my first Ski to Sea race I wasn’t able to pull the water bottle from the deck lines because of high winds and rough water. Bladders bypass this problem.
• Drink and eat. Make sure you’re properly hydrated and fueled before you launch. In addition to a hearty breakfast and lots of water, I like to down a packet of GU energy gel while I’m waiting for the handoff. I carry one in my PFD as well.
• Don’t gear up early. If you’re wearing a wetsuit, don’t put it on too soon or you’ll sweat out all your electrolytes. I don my gear only after being called to the handoff area. I also have a helper nearby if my fingers are shaky.
There is a lot more advice available, but the above suggestions will push you in the right direction. If do your homework and train appropriately, you’ll pretty much guarantee yourself a safe and enjoyable Ski to Sea kayak racing experience. Good luck!
Dawn Groves
lives in Bellingham with her husband, two children, and too many pets. She has written several non-fiction books, the most recent being Stress Reduction for Busy People: Finding Peace in an Anxious World. She is also president of WAKE (Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts).
