The human body is a fantastic thing. It is designed to move in many different ways and to be able to withstand a lot of force.
When you are kayaking, your body is working hard to keep you stable in the kayak and to propel you forward. When kayaking for a certain period like this, some could raise the question, will it make your body sore?
The truth is kayaking can make you sore. However, you can always start off slow and increase your intensity as you build up strength and endurance.
For beginners, it is not uncommon to experience some level of discomfort and even pain after kayaking, particularly in the muscles used to paddle.
Want to find out more about how kayaking makes you sore?
Read this article to learn more about kayak injuries, tips to avoid soreness, prepare yourself for kayaking, and the basics of kayaking.
How Does Kayaking Make You Sore?
We all know how good it feels to get out on the water and paddle around. But sometimes, afterwards, our muscles can feel pretty sore. So what gives?
It turns out that there are a few things about kayaking that can make our muscles ache. First of all, paddling is a pretty strenuous workout. All that reaching and pulling can really work up a sweat!
Secondly, kayaking can put a strain on our muscles in ways that we’re not used to. Because we’re sitting down, our legs and back don’t have to work as hard as they would if we were standing up. This can lead to some tightness and soreness afterwards.
Finally, the repetitive motions of kayaking can also cause our muscles to get tired and achy. So if you find yourself feeling pretty sore after a day on the water, don’t worry – it’s totally normal! Just take it easy for the rest of the day and make sure to stretch out before your next paddling adventure.
Common Kayak Injuries
Most injuries sustained while kayaking is minor, but some can be more serious. It’s always a good idea to take precautions and be aware of the potential risks before heading out on the water. Here are some of the most common kayak injuries:
1. Sprains and strains. The most common type of injury among kayakers is a sprain or strain, usually to the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. This can happen from overuse or from falling awkwardly when getting in or out of the kayak.
2. Head injuries. Head injuries are also relatively common among kayakers, especially those who don’t wear a helmet. The risk is greatest when paddling on whitewater or rough seas, where waves can capsize the kayak and throw the paddler headfirst into rocks or other objects.
3. Neck injuries. Whiplash is a common neck injury among kayakers, especially those who paddle on whitewater or rough seas. This can happen when the kayak capsizes, and the paddler’s head is snapped backwards by the force of the water.
4. Back injuries. Back injuries are also relatively common among kayakers, especially those who don’t wear a life jacket. The risk is greatest when paddling on whitewater or rough seas, where waves can capsize the kayak and throw the paddler out of the boat.
5. Knee injuries. Knee injuries are relatively common among kayakers, especially those who paddle on whitewater or rough seas. The risk is greatest when paddling on whitewater or rough seas, where waves can capsize the kayak and throw the paddler out of the boat.
6. Ankle injuries. Ankle injuries are relatively common among kayakers, especially those who paddle on whitewater or rough seas. The risk is greatest when paddling on whitewater or rough seas, where waves can capsize the kayak and throw the paddler out of the boat.
7. Sunburn. Kayakers are at risk of sunburn because they often spend long hours on the water exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. The risk is greatest when paddling in sunny weather without wearing sunscreen or a hat.
8. Dehydration. Kayakers are at risk of dehydration because they often spend long hours on the water in hot weather. The risk is greatest when paddling in hot weather without staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
9. Heat exhaustion. Kayakers are at risk of heat exhaustion because they often spend long hours on the water in hot weather. The risk is greatest when paddling in hot weather without taking breaks to cool down and stay hydrated.
10. Hypothermia. Kayakers are at risk of hypothermia when paddling in cold weather or water, especially if they get wet. The risk is greatest when paddling in cold weather without dressing properly for the conditions or without staying dry.
Kayakers can reduce their risk of injury by taking precautions such as learning the basics of kayaking, preparing yourself before getting on the water, and following all the safety measures.
Tips to Avoid Muscle Sores While Kayaking
There’s nothing worse than being out on the water and having your muscles start to ache. But there are some things you can do to help avoid muscle soreness while kayaking.
Neck Pain:
One of the most common problems kayakers experience is neck pain. This can be caused by poor posture or incorrect form while paddling. To help avoid neck pain, be sure to keep your head up and your eyes looking forward. Also, try to relax your shoulders and keep your back straight.
Elbow Pain:
Another common issue is elbow pain, which is often caused by leaning too far forward while paddling. This puts unnecessary strain on the elbow joint. To avoid this, be sure to keep your elbows close to your body and maintain good posture.
Lower Back Pain:
Lower back pain is another common complaint among kayakers. This can be caused by a number of factors, including poor posture, incorrect form, and even the type of kayak you’re using. To help avoid lower back pain, be sure to maintain good posture while paddling and use a kayak that fits your body size and shape.
Shoulder Pain:
One of the most common issues people face when kayaking is shoulder pain. This is usually caused by incorrect posture or gripping the paddle too tightly. To avoid this, try to keep your shoulders relaxed and loose, and make sure to grip the paddle lightly. You should also take breaks often to stretch your shoulders and neck.
Arms Pain:
Another common kayaking-related pain is arm pain. This is often caused by overusing the muscles in your arms or by not using the right muscles when paddling. To avoid this, make sure to switch up your grip on the paddle regularly and to use your whole arm (not just your biceps) when paddling.
Core Pain:
It is not uncommon to experience what is known as “core pain” while kayaking. This is caused by the muscles in your trunk and lowers back, becoming fatigued from paddling. To avoid this, make sure to stretch your core muscles before heading out on the water.
Legs Pain:
Leg pain is another common kayaking complaint. This can be caused by a number of factors, including incorrect form, poor posture, and even the type of kayak you’re using. To help avoid leg pain, be sure to maintain good posture while paddling and use a kayak that fits your body size and shape. You should also take breaks often to stretch your legs.
Prepare Yourself Before Getting on The Kayak
It is always important to be prepared before embarking on any new adventure, and this is especially true when it comes to kayaking. There are a few things that you should do before getting on the kayak to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Stay Hydrated:
One of the most important things to do before getting on the kayak is to stay hydrated. This is especially important if you’ll be paddling in warm weather. Be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and energy drinks, which can hydrate you.
Warm-up Exercises:
Another important thing to do before getting on the kayak is to warm up your muscles with some simple exercises. This will help you avoid injuries and muscle soreness while paddling. A few basic stretches and bodyweight exercises should suffice.
Stretching Exercises:
Before getting on the kayak, be sure to do some basic stretching exercises. This will help you avoid injuries and muscle soreness while paddling. A few basic stretches that you can do include neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and arm swings.
The Basics of Kayaking
If you’re thinking about taking up kayaking or are just curious about what it’s all about, this is the explanation for you. Let’s cover the basics of kayaks and kayaking so that you can get out on the water with confidence.
Proper Getting-in And Getting-out:
Most kayaks have a lip or edge near the cockpit that you can use to help pull yourself in. Once you’re in, sit down and get comfortable before putting your feet on the footrests.
If you’re going to be paddling for a while, it’s important to adjust the footrests so that your knees are slightly bent when your legs are extended. This will help avoid cramping and fatigue later on.
When you’re ready to get out, push off from the shore with your paddle and then use the paddle to help support your weight as you lift yourself out of the kayak. Again, be careful not to tip the kayak over as you do this.
Proper Seating:
Always sit in the kayak with your back straight and your knees bent.
Also, remember to stay in the middle of the kayak during any activity. All these will help you maintain good balance and control of the kayak.
If you’re going to be paddling for a while, it’s important to adjust the footrests so that your knees are slightly bent when your legs are extended. This will help avoid cramping and fatigue later on.
Paddling Basics:
Kayaking is propelled by using a double-bladed paddle. The blades are usually slightly offset from each other, which helps to provide more power with each stroke.
If you’re paddling on the right side of the kayak, your left hand should be at the top of the paddle, and your right hand should be about halfway down. The opposite is true if you’re paddling on the left side.
When you’re ready to start paddling, dip the blade of your paddle into the water and then use a smooth, even stroke to pull yourself forward. If you want to go in a straight line, make sure that both blades are going into the water at the same time and that you’re using equal strokes on both sides.
If you want to turn, you can do so by using a stroke on one side only. The kayak will begin to turn in the direction of the paddle stroke. You can also use your paddle to help stop the kayak by placing the blade in the water and using a braking stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Kayaking And Body Sores
1. Why do my legs ache after kayaking?
Answer: It’s perfectly normal to experience some level of discomfort in your legs after kayaking.
There are a few reasons why this may be the case. First, you’re using muscles in your legs that you may not normally use when kayaking. This can lead to minor soreness or fatigue in your legs.
Second, you may be sitting in an awkward position for long periods of time while kayaking, which can also cause leg discomfort.
2. Can Kayaking Cause Chest Pain?
Yes, kayaking can cause chest pain.
The most common cause of chest pain during kayaking is paddling pretty hard and not having good shoulder or back mechanics.
This inexperience can lead to you using your shoulder muscles to generate most of the power to paddle, which puts a lot of strain on the muscle and can cause pain.
Rowing with poor form can also result in back and/or neck pains from the overuse of these muscles if you experience chest pain while kayaking, it’s important to stop and take a break.
Paddling harder will only make the pain worse. Once you’ve rested, try again but be sure to use good form. Good luck!
3. How far can u kayak in a day?
It really depends on the person and the conditions. Some people can paddle for 10 hours straight, while others need to take breaks every hour or two.
If there’s a strong headwind or current, it’ll be tougher going, and you won’t be able to cover as much distance. Ultimately, it really comes down to figuring out what works best for you so that you can enjoy your time on the water.
