How Long Does It Take to Kayak a Mile?

 

After going through your checklist and confirming your entry and exit points, you will be able to estimate how long the kayaking trip will take and what distance you will be able to cover. However, a majority of the people usually are not sure of how long it will take them to travel a particular distance. For instance, twenty-five miles. Knowing how long it takes to kayak a single mile is crucial, usually, it takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Nevertheless, there are several factors which must be considered that affect how long it will take you to travel the distance you desire. Addressed below are some of the elements which will give you a better idea of how long your kayaking adventure will take.

Factors That Determine How Long it will take to Kayak a Mile

The Type of Kayak

Just like deciding on the model of car to buy be it a Lamborghini or a 1981 Ford Station Wagon. The speed kayaks also varies depending on the type of kayak you purchase. A recreational kayak and and the best touring kayak will guide different through the water. Despite the change not being very extreme, you can notice there is a significant difference when it comes to speed and tracking as the price level rises. Nevertheless, this does not necessitate you to buy a kayak that is made from carbon fiber and customized to cover a mile in twenty minutes or less since there are many great options available.

Sit-in kayaks in comparison to sit on top kayaks tend to be faster in water because it lowers your body nearer to the water thus making you more stable as you kayak. Additionally, sit on top kayaks typically increase the wind resistance you experience and also raise your center of gravity.

The Length and Width of your Kayak

Usually, the length of a kayak dramatically affects the overall tracking and speed which a kayak can travel at, with thinner and longer kayaks able to go faster and straighter than a shorter kayak.

Furthermore, the kayak’s width also plays a role in the general speed at which the kayak can travel. Wider kayaks have more mass in contact with the water thus experience greater resistance in comparison to thinner V-shaped kayaks have a less body mass in contact with water thereby experience less resistance when you are trying to gather some speed.

The Kayak Paddle

Most people overlook the importance of the kayak paddle when buying the kayak only to realize its importance for your kayaking adventures later. Different type of paddles can affect the speed at which you can travel at to a great extent; thus you should consider this when purchasing a kayak paddle.

Finally, before purchasing a kayak paddle, make sure it fits your height and the width of your kayak to increase ease of kayaking.

Kayaking Technique and Ability you Posses

Possessing the suitable abilities and technique to kayak is vital in determining the speeds at which you will be able to paddle and the distance you will cover. If you are kayaking for the very first time, you should not expect to paddle a mile within ten minutes since the initial kayaking movement may feel unnatural and takes time to get used to it.

Practice makes perfect, and therefore constant practicing is excellent, but you should also ensure you are doing the proper form of practice. It means continuously working on your technique hence making your muscles start developing memory, and an appropriate type of exercise significantly improves your paddling ability, benefits you will be able to notice with time.

However, incorrect form of practice ultimately results in muscle strains or cramps; thus it is vital to work on the proper muscle memory.

The Water Conditions

The kayaking experience in spring is quite a different experience to kayaking at the end of fall due to the changes in the water levels between the two seasons. Ordinarily, during spring, snow and ice melt consequently resulting to an increase in the water level in the rivers thus causing an increase in the speed of water. Subsequently, paddling on a river with fast flowing water, your speed while kayaking increases in comparison to kayaking on a stream whose currents are slow thus making you take a shorter duration to kayak a mile.

Additionally, always check the on the weather forecast on the expected water conditions for the specific river you are planning to go for a kayaking adventure. If you are a beginner, only go kayaking when the water is not flowing too fast. For the experienced kayaker, the forecast also helps you to know water conditions which are ideal for you not to bottom out.

The Weather

Weather conditions can significantly affect your kayaking trip, this greatly depending on the strength and direction the winds are blowing. If you are kayaking downstream whereas a ferocious and fast wind is blowing upstream, you will hardly gain any momentum despite all your paddling efforts. Nevertheless, if the winds are blowing in the direction you are headed, your kayaking speed is considerably increased, and you will be able to cover a mile within a shorter time. Furthermore, in case of lightning and thunderstorms, it is advisable to cancel your kayaking trip as this can significantly affect the distance you will be able to cover.

Obstacles Encountered

Obstacles you encounter in water while kayaking affects the speed at which you will be able to travel at. Traveling through a river with shallow waters, rapids and necessitates portages make your kayaking trip take a longer duration.

Furthermore, navigation through unfamiliar waters considerably slows down your speed subsequently the time you will take kayaking. It is because you will need to be cautious of bumps which you may meet along the river as you kayak thereby causing delays.

The Weight of the Load you are Carrying

Typically, the lighter the load you are carrying, the faster you can manage to travel through the river’s waters in comparison to when transporting a heavy cargo. However, if you have a friend assisting you in paddling, you may be able to travel faster through the water, especially if the load’s weight is not very heavy.