Expedition kayaking is an entirely different experience compared to a casual paddle at your local waterway. Because they can span multiple days, there’s a lot to plan for (both mentally and physically). The rewards are undeniable–connecting with nature, a sense of adventure, and the satisfaction exploring and even covering serious distance.
In order to truly enjoy your next expedition, it’s not just about having the right kayak and equipment. You also need to be physically fit and mentally prepared for the challenges that come with paddling for hours at a time in sometimes unpredictable conditions.
If you’ve been wondering how to prepare for a kayak expedition, we’ve got the answers. Let’s take a look!
Expedition Kayaking: The Basics
When we say ‘expedition kayaking’, we’re referring to longer-distance kayaking trips that may include multi-day journeys. Most often, these take place on rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. Because of the longer timespan, the paddler needs to transport their gear (food, safety gear, water, and camping equipment) in the kayak itself.
Unlike your average morning paddle, an expedition will require much more planning. This should include carefully planning out the proposed route, as well as accounting for any pending changes in weather conditions. Sometimes, you’ll also have to secure the necessary permits too.
Bonus tip: reach out to your partner, family, friends, or even the local authorities to let them know of your planned route and timing.
Physical Preparation
To help you out, we’ve broken things down into two main sections. Let’s start with the recommended physical preparation:
Paddle the Right Kayak
Not every kayak is built for this kind of journey, so you’ll need either touring kayaks or sea kayaks that are specifically built for long distances. Their narrow, streamlined hulls cut through the water efficiently, which means you use less energy over time. They also have built-in storage compartments that allow you to carry the food, clothing, and safety gear required for several days away from amenities.
Recreational kayaks may feel stable and comfortable for short-distance trips, but they usually lack the capacity and seaworthiness that expeditions demand. Inflatable models are handy in calm waters because of their easy transport and storage, but hard-shell kayaks are sturdier and perform better when conditions become rough.
Train With Loaded Gear
An empty kayak feels very different to one fully loaded with expedition supplies. The extra weight affects speed, manoeuvrability, and even your overall balance. Training with the same kind of load you intend to carry gives your body a chance to adjust. It also helps you practise distributing weight correctly. Placing heavier items near the centre of the kayak and balancing lighter gear evenly across both sides prevents tipping and improves stability.
The simple act of practising with dry bags, food supplies, and camping equipment allows you to build stamina in conditions that are closer to what you will face. It also reduces the risk of being caught off guard once you’re out and paddling far from the shore.
Technique and Efficiency
Good technique is a cornerstone of physical preparation. Paddlers who rely only on their arms tire quickly. By rotating your torso and using your core and back muscles, you spread the effort across your body. This efficiency lets you paddle longer distances with less fatigue.
It is also worth practising different strokes. The forward stroke drives you over distance, the sweep stroke helps you turn, and bracing techniques give you control in rough water. By training in calm water first and then in windy or choppier conditions, you ensure that your body knows what to do when the environment becomes less forgiving. Over the course of an expedition, this efficiency will make each day far more manageable.
Handling the Kayak
Physical preparation is not limited to time spent on the water. Simply moving and handling the kayak on land is a workout of its own. A common mistake is to load gear into the kayak before carrying it to the water, which makes the boat unnecessarily heavy. It is better to position the kayak first, then load it in sections. Using manageable bags allows you to carry supplies without straining your back or shoulders.
Learning techniques such as edging also improves your control. By tilting the kayak slightly, you can manoeuvre more smoothly and make precise turns. Rudders and skegs can also play an important role. For instance, the Prijon Neptune features a retractable skeg that helps you stay on course in windy conditions. Using these features correctly reduces the energy spent correcting your direction, which saves you strength for the longer stretches ahead.
Fitness and Safety
General fitness training supports your preparation. Cardiovascular endurance, core strength, and flexibility all contribute to long days of paddling. Activities such as swimming, running, or cycling build stamina, while strength training supports the muscles you will use most.
Safety equipment is another part of physical readiness. A Personal Flotation Device is essential for every trip. Sun protection, a first-aid kit, and plenty of drinking water prevent fatigue and heat exhaustion. Carrying these items ensures that your body remains capable of handling the strain of an extended journey.
Mental Preparation
We can’t understate the importance of the mental side of things, and with that in mind, here’s how you can prepare:
Confidence and Building Skills
The mental side of preparation begins by developing skills that build confidence. In addition to paddling technique and storage, one of the most valuable skills is the ability to roll or re-enter your kayak after a capsize. This is a skill that every paddler should learn, as it will make a dramatic difference if and when an emergency occurs. Practising rolls or assisted rescues in calm water creates familiarity and confidence, which helps you stay calm if something goes wrong.
Undertaking a course from a qualified instructor is recommended and even training with a paddling buddy will build skills. Confidence is not about eliminating risk entirely, but more about knowing you can handle it. That assurance gives you peace of mind as you head into remote or unpredictable areas.
Planning for Wind, Tides and Currents
Never underestimate the power of nature and always exercise your good judgement. If you’ve checked the conditions and noticed that strong tides and currents are planned, always play it safe and avoid those waters. Sometimes it's best to leave it to another day, or find somewhere else with calmer conditions.
Paddling against a strong current isn’t just treacherous but also tiring, and can quickly drain motivation. Planning to travel with the tide makes the journey easier and prevents frustration. By studying charts, checking forecasts, and learning how to read the water, you ultimately equip yourself to make smarter decisions.
Sometimes the right choice is to wait rather than push ahead. Accepting delays can be difficult when you are eager to reach the next destination, but patience often preserves your strength and safety.
Organisation and Calm
Organisation has a direct impact on your mindset. If your gear is packed randomly, you will waste time and energy searching for items when you need them most. Using dry bags to separate supplies, labelling each bag, and keeping essential items within easy reach prevents unnecessary stress.
Even the process of launching your kayak can feel overwhelming if you try to rush. Breaking it into clear steps - unloading, positioning, loading gear, then launching - helps keep your thoughts clear and focused. Staying calm at the start of each day sets the tone for the hours ahead.
Mental Endurance
Any expedition can be physically demanding, but the biggest test is often in the mind. Long distances, changing weather, and moments of isolation can be challenging. Building mental endurance comes from practice. Training on longer paddles, spending nights camping with your gear, and exposing yourself to different conditions prepares you for the mental demands of a real journey.
Declan’s 75-day paddle down the Murray River in a Prijon Grizzly is a clear example of mental and physical preparation working together. His ability to maintain discipline and focus allowed him to manage such a demanding expedition. He faced long days and unpredictable weather, but the rewards were immense: solitude, wildlife encounters, and the satisfaction of paddling one of Australia’s great rivers.
Rewards of the Right Preparation
Mental strength is what allows you to enjoy the expedition rather than simply endure it. Paddlers often describe a rhythm that develops: paddling, resting, eating, and setting up camp. Once the routine is established, the repetition becomes meditative. Challenges like unexpected currents or longer-than-expected distances become part of the adventure rather than obstacles.
Camping on secluded beaches, waking to the sound of water, and sharing fireside meals with fellow paddlers are some of the most memorable moments of an expedition. With the right mindset, these experiences outweigh the difficulties, and every challenge faced becomes part of the story you take home.
For more info, be sure to check out our blogs for advice on the ‘Essential Safety Items that Every Kayaker Needs’ and ‘What To Wear When Kayaking’.
High-Quality Touring Kayaks & Sea Kayaks For Sale
Need a new kayak for your next expedition? We’ve got you sorted. Here are some of the best options available right now at PaddleZone.
Prijon Seatron GT HTP
Made for extended tours on the sea, surfing the odd wave and multi-day trips with luggage. The Seatron GT offers relatively high tipping stability combined with easy manoeuvrability, even under difficult conditions on the coast and on the open sea.
The modern design of the hull with a pronounced keel enables both high speeds when travelling straight ahead and excellent manoeuvrability over the edge and safe surfing on waves.
The excellent driving characteristics of the Seatron GT are maintained even when loaded, and this makes it ideal for multi-day tours.
Stellar S18 G2 Touring Kayak
The Stellar S18 G2 is the latest iteration of one of the originals. Known for its great glide, stability and speed, keeping those highlights we tweaked the hull for additional efficiency, stability and capacity.
The S18 G2 shares the same hull and deck as the S18 EXP G2, but one less hatch and bulkhead. The S18 is as at home on flat water eating up the miles as it is in big water providing you confidence to get where you want to. It also fits a wide range of paddler builds and has ample cockpit volume for large shoes to fit in.
Find Everything You Need at PaddleZone
Whether you’re after brand-new sea and expedition kayaks, paddles, clothing, accessories, or safety equipment, PaddleZone is the place to be! We ship nationwide and have a dedicated store in Sydney
As paddlers ourselves, we love nothing more than helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for, and this includes products from the world’s best and brightest brands. Ready to get in the zone? Check out our range now!
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