1. Use Your Leverage
Making your arms do all the work while you paddle can cause wrist soreness, tendinitis and other repetitive injuries. While you're paddling, try not to pull the blade through the water using only one arm. As you bring the blade back toward you, use your opposite arm to push the oar away from your body. This should distribute the weight between both wrists rather than letting one do all the work. As you paddle, turn your torso so your shoulders rotate toward the center of the kayak. Your goal is to use as much of your body as possible to propel yourself through the water to avoid putting unnecessary strain on your wrists.
2. Paddle Smarter, Not Harder
Where you dip the blade into the water makes a big difference in how effective your stroke is. If you're placing the blades too far out from the kayak, the force you generate is used to turn the kayak rather than propel it forward. This results in you paddling harder to move the kayak forward and creating more stress for your wrists. Keep the oar's blades as close to the kayak as possible so you generate forward force and keep the kayak straight in the water.
3. Give Them a Break
Make sure you're giving your wrists a chance to rest as you sea kayak. Try to plan regular check points in your route so you have a chance to get out of the kayak. Walk around to stretch your legs and give your muscles and joints a break. If you're experiencing pain and you're in calm water, stop paddling for 10 minutes and stretch out your hands, wrists, forearms and shoulders. You can prevent repetitive wrist injuries by breaking up the monotony of continuous paddling for long periods of time.
4. Rest and Rehabilitation
Take it easy for a few days following a long sea kayaking trip. You can develop overtraining syndrome if you don't give your body a chance to recuperate after strenuous activity. Sea kayakers are especially vulnerable to overtraining because of the repetitive nature of the sport and exposure to the elements. Overtraining can lead to sprains, stress fractures and tendinitis in the wrist.
5. Get Strong
Strengthening and toning your upper body can prevent wrist injuries while sea kayaking. Spend some time lifting weights and doing push-ups to increase the strength of your wrists, forearms and shoulders. Carry light barbells as you jog or hike.
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