Editor’s Note: This is the third article in a four-part series on balance and stability. The first article in this series addresses the wobble board, a useful tool to improve and maintain good balance. In the second article we cover the stability ball, another useful tool. Since good balance depends on strong core muscles, also check […]
Sea Kayaking Fitness
Balance and Stability for Effective Paddlesports – Part 2
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a 4-part series about tools and techniques to develop and maintain optimum balance and stability for paddlesports at any age. We recently talked about the wobble board in our July post. This month we’re introducing the stability ball. The stability ball, or balance ball, was invented by Aqulino […]
Balance and Stability for Effective Paddle Sports
Editor’s note: In his recent article for Epic Kayaks In Search of Stability: Aging Gracefully With a Wider Surfski Honorary Tsunami Ranger Kenny Howell emphasized balance and stability as two things critical for paddling, especially in a surf ski. These are two things that can fade as we age. As a fitness trainer I’ve seen the impacts […]
The Outdoor Gym – Kayak Fitness That’s Free and Wild!
Editor’s Note: A big shout out to Melissa DeMarie and Liz Meheve of California Women’s Watersport Collective for some of the photos featured in this post! You guys are awesome! The Tsunami Rangers have a tradition of training in the trees. One of our videos shows the team running through the cypress forest at Fitzgerald […]
Sport Taping for Sea Kayakers
Editor’s note: Thanks to Taylor Furry for taping my shoulder with Kinesio Tape and taking the pictures. Thanks also to Robert Kendall for photographing the wrist wrap and helping me with that and thanks to Holly Hutchinson for the RockTape. Sport taping has been around for a long time but lately people have taken it […]
Epsom Salt: The Kayaker’s Friend
Now I’m retired I spend my time pursuing mostly physical interests. Yoga, martial arts, skiing, hiking, camping, and kayaking are pretty much what I do. In order to keep vigorous and resilient I have a regimen. To stay healthy, I eat right and get plenty of sleep, regular massages, and take at least one Epsom salt […]
Kayak Fitness – Core Strength and Stability
Editor’s note: Thanks to Robert Kendall for the photos and Medford Judo Academy for sharing the mat. Core stability is crucial to kayaking. We use our core muscles to stay upright in the boat, to flex forward when surfing, to keep our backs pain-free during extended time in the cockpit, and perhaps most importantly, to […]
Ocean Survival Swimming – Part 4
Editor’s note: Well, we’re back to subject of ocean swimming. This is the final part of our four part series on Ocean Survival Swimming. Eric wrote this a long time ago (witness the references to the “common” practice of paddling solo and also to buoyancy compensators) but he never deviated from his opinions on this […]
Ocean Survival Swimming Part 3 – Ocean Swimming Training
Editor’s note: Once again, this portion of Eric’s thesis on Ocean Survival Swimming is published as is. For Part 1, go to https://tsunamirangers.com/2014/09/22/ocean-survival-swimming/ For Part 2, go to https://tsunamirangers.com/2014/11/03/ocean-survival-swimming-2/and for Part 4 go to https://tsunamirangers.com/?s=ocean+survival+swimming+part+4 Once the four prerequisites to ocean swimming have been fulfilled, ocean training should begin. This training should not be undertaken alone. […]
Ocean Survival Swimming – Part 2
Editor’s note: After a short break to talk about the TR retreat and the newest Ranger, we return to the subject of Ocean Survival Swimming. This essay by Eric Soares is published as is. It’s opinionated, funny, and informative. Enjoy. STAY WITH THE BOAT An old mariner’s maxim. This rule is true in most boat […]
Ocean Survival Swimming – A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to Staying Alive in the Water
Editor’s Note: One from the archives: Eric Soares wrote this essay illustrating the Tsunami Rangers’ approach to sea kayaking emphasizing ocean swimming as a key skill for sea kayakers. We’ll publish his thesis in five parts. This first part is the outline for Ocean Survival Swimming. Note that Eric refers to buoyancy compensators instead of […]
Fitness for Sea Kayakers – Hips
Have you ever exited your kayak after a long paddle to find your first steps stiff and awkward until you find your “land legs”? When we kayak our hips are mostly stationary at about a 90-degree angle. Apart from getting in and out of the boat there’s not a lot of movement in those joints. […]
Fitness for Sea Kayakers 3 – Back
Editor’s note: Thanks again so much to Barbara Kossy, our indefatigable model! You rock!!! Actually, these stretches are for the entire torso. As we know, torso rotation is super important for kayakers. Also, if you’re rolling or getting worked in white water, it’s very helpful to be strong and flexible in and around the spine […]