Why Does Dave on the Paddle, Paddle?

I am a great believer in the saying “a healthy body leads to a healthy mind”. There are many ways to keep yourself active and fit for life. One of the most accessible (and cheapest) options is walking, however, I am not a fan of walking. For me, walking has to have a purpose, for example, walking the dog. Probably the only time I will walk/hike long distances are when I am out with my camera, filming, or camping,  See, in these instances, the walk has a purpose. This said that does not mean I do not admire people that get out fell walking, or similar, it’s just not for me.

Now, for most of my life I have been a practising martial artist, and from the late eighties, an instructor. The study of the budo arts have kept me extremely fit, and as an instructor, it has been challenging and rewarding sharing my knowledge and watching my students develop both physically and mentally.

"Sometimes you have to look to your past to find your future."

As I approached my sixties I felt that there was something missing, my total focus and passion on martial arts was not relieving my stress, so I started looking for answers.

In 2015 photography and cinematography were added to my hobbies. Learning to fly my drones while filming was indeed a challenge, equally matched be learning post-production skills. Getting out to beautiful locations really calmed me, at least for a short time. So now to the point, sometimes you have to look to your past to find your future.

Enter kayaking,  Kayaking was something that I had spent a considerable amount of time doing in my youth. I spent many a weekend paddling on the River Lee between Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, and many evenings sailing on Banbury Reservoir. So now I have combined several of my interests by filming and photographing our beautiful countryside while paddling my kayak along rivers and canals.

Here are some benefits in taking to the water in a kayak

Weight Loss

It's a simple fact, burn more calories than you take in and you will lose weight.
 Kayak paddling is a great way to burn away that stubborn fat. In fact, an average person paddling at a moderate pace for one hour will burn about 400 calories, this is not taking into account portaging (the carrying of all kit) at locks.

Strength & Toning

One of the biggest advantages of kayaking is how it affects your arms. Kayaking enhances your arm size and strengthens your arms and forearms. As you paddle, you work against the water and this resistance training helps develop and tone your muscles. Regular kayaking will help increase the circumference of your arms. Its great strength work,

Cardio

but another added benefit is the aerobic exercise. Pick up the pace and elevate your heart rate to see cardio benefits without an elliptical or treadmill.

Core Workout

The rotational movements you do in kayaking can be very demanding to your core muscles and thus, these would give the muscles a good workout. The demand for balance and stabilization can also contribute to the improvement of your abs.

Stress

Kayaking is a great way to get away from your daily worries and boost the endorphins responsible for making you feel good. Aside from pumping up the neurotransmitters in your brain, the methodical movements of kayaking may be described as meditation in motion for your body. Paddling may be the soothing rhythm your body and mind need to recalibrate.