Kayaking in Adventure Races
Kayaking is a core adventure racing disciplines, and an area where a little work will go along way. Most sprint adventure races that include kayaking will involve the use of an inflatable or “sit on top” kayak, and all requisite gear will be provided. These kayaks are safer for novice paddlers than traditional “sit in” kayaks. You cannot be “pinned” under the kayak and if you fall out and with a little practice it is easy to get back in the kayak. Almost all races under 24 hours will focus solely on flat water kayaking. Races that involve whitewater should clearly notify racers in advance that white water skills are required. In such races, inflatable kayaks are usually provided by race organizers.
In longer races, you will be required to provide your own kayaking gear, although many race directors will arrange for convenient gear rental. Typically, racers will be required to use sit on top kayaks until they have either taken a basic kayak safety class or can demonstrate their familiarity with how to safely perform an offshore “self rescue” and sometimes a “t” or “x” rescue. If participating in such a race, you are well served by taking an introductory kayaking class. A relatively inexpensive one-day class will teach you the basic rescue techniques and also provide instruction on various stroke techniques. Not only will you then be permitted to use a faster “sit in” kayak, but you will like enjoy the leg much more when you apply the stroke techniques you learn.
Racers typically prefer to race in tandem kayaks which will be faster than solos. Teams of more than two racers should consider whether towing would improve overall time. Nonetheless, towing in rough or windy conditions can be dangerous, and racers will need to assess their own skills to determine whether towing is an option. Even without towing, teams can work together to help improve team time. Typically racers will have the stronger paddler in the back of a boat, and in multiple boat situations attempt to keep the boats fairly evenly matched in speed and skill. With multiple boats, the stronger kayak will typically take the lead, and with practice a significant advantage can be gained by keeping the back kayak right in the trailing wake of the lead boat, which is both blocking the wind and breaking the water tension. It takes a bit off practice to get the boat positioning correct, but you’ll feel it when it’s working.