The Importance of Stretching

It is well known that warming up and stretching before activity or exercise can help with mobility, performance and injury prevention. Not only should you use stretching before and after paddling, but it should be part of your everyday life.

Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates are all good forms of practice that can improve your strength, mobility, balance and flexibility. Finding a good class or teacher can deliver huge rewards and improvements to your overall fitness. I can’t recommend it enough – my wave riding improved exponentially when I was practicing yoga regularly and the benefits to my general health were immeasurable – focus, balance, lowered stress to name a few.

Even if you are not able to join a class, a daily practice of stretching can deliver great results. I try to stretch every morning shortly after I wake up. I have a copy of the book “Stretching” by Bob Anderson which is definitely something worth searching out if you want some expert information.

Stretching for Paddlers

Stretching has both psychological and physiological benefits if performed before paddling. It provides a brief period of reflection and focus prior to the session. It also provides improvements to range of motion and flexibility which in turn can prevent injury and assist recovery.

Arriving 15 minutes before the session starts and using that time to stretch should be every paddlers goal no matter what level you paddle at. And stretching after the session can assist in recovery and ease tired. sore muscles.

Stretch to the point where you feel tension and hold the position there. If you feel any pain -STOP. Stretching should not feel painful, don’t push your flexibility limits too far. Below is an illustration of relevant stretches (kayaking uses similar muscle groups and movements to outrigger paddling) from the Bon Anderson book.