Welcome to the Get Fit Guys quick and dirty tips to get moving and shape up.

My name is Brock Armstrong.

I'm the Get Fit Guy and paddling your kayak or your canoe involves working a specific set

of muscles.

And in today's episode, we are going to look at how you can prep those muscles

so that you are ready to hit the water. Just a few days after this podcast episode comes out,

I'll be heading out on a kayak right in the heart of the Johnson Strait and Blackfish

Sound on the eastern edge of Queen Charlotte Strait.

Now, this area which surrounds the protected Robson Blight Ecological Reserve, is the summer

feeding ground of the northern resident orcas, or killer whales.

Along with those orcas, we hope to be paddling among some humpback whales, some sea lines,

some seals and some porpoises, and on our trek, we hope to spot some bears and some eagles,

and you know what, I've been training for this, and I can't wait.

The fun part of paddling on any body of water is having the ability to explore with power and ease, and that means having

the strength, stamina, and technical know-how to control your watercraft. Now, part of being a strong

paddler involves technique and practice, but the other part involves being fit and strong enough in the right areas.

Of course, it is absolutely smart to learn the proper technique from an experienced instructor

so you can safely control your chosen vessel.

I mean, bad paddling technique and poor stroke form can poop you out in a hurry, no matter how fit you

are, and trust me on this because I nearly broke myself when kayaking in Kauai a few years ago.

But regardless of your paddling prowess, you also need the power, strength, stability,

coordination, and endurance to truly enjoy your time on the water.

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