Perfecting your stroke

No matter what kayak you are in, you won't go very far without an efficient stroke. Here's some advice from two-time Pan American Games whitewater slalom kayaking champion and 2004 Olympian Brett Heyl:

1. The farther ahead you look, the straighter you will go. Looking at the bow of your kayak is bad news when you're trying to go straight.
2. Keep your elbows in when you are pulling the blade through the water. This helps keep your joints inline, making your stroke more powerful and less stressful on your shoulders and elbows.
3. Keep your chest up. Don't hunch over. Do this by bringing your shoulder blades down and in, as opposed to sticking your chest out or pulling your shoulders back.
4. A vertical stroke will get you where you're going more efficiently than a horizontal one. If you paddle is vertical, all your energy is going to propel you forward. As the stroke becomes more horizontal, your kayak starts to "S-turn" back and forth. You're now not only wasting energy by turning the boat with each stroke, but you're also traveling a longer distance.