Kayaking is a demanding sport that requires upper-body strength for extended periods of time. Utilizing that strength to the best effect relies on proper paddling technique. Factors such as rotating your torso, submerging the paddle and adding leverage to the paddle all figure prominently in mastering advancing kayak paddling.
Torso Rotation
One of the biggest misconceptions about kayak paddling is that most of the power should come from your arms. However, it's the torso that serves as the chief paddling engine, and torso rotation is an important advanced technique. One drill that helps perfect this requires sitting in the kayak and holding the paddle at arm's length with elbows locked. Keeping your elbows straight, paddle the kayak for several minutes, rotating your torso from side to side to power forward. Eventually, you will incorporate this movement into your regular paddling technique with elbows bent.
Paddle Submersion
How the paddle enters the water is a critical to good paddling technique. An advanced paddle submersion should be nearly whisper-quiet. Submerge the blade tight to the side of the kayak, with the shaft held at a near vertical angle---likely higher than you're accustomed to. Rotate your torso and stab the blade into the water, keeping your grip loose on the paddle. This sets you up for the best possible pulling motion.
Push-Pull
Envision not only pulling the lower end of the paddle through the water but pushing the upper end through the stroke. This generates more power by exerting forward leverage on the paddle. Incorporating this push-pull technique will enable faster momentum for longer periods of time and resulting in less upper-body fatigue.
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