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Paddling Long & Far: Reflections on Offshore & Long-Distance Paddling

A map showing long distance paddling routes and remote islands

An Interview with Sea Kayak Guides Joe Guglielmetti & Kyle Martin

This winter we’re posting a series of interviews with Portland Paddle guides, each one focused on a specific topic related to paddling the Maine coast. Today we’re sharing a conversation with longtime guides Joe Gugliemetti and Kyle Martin about two “extreme” forms of kayaking:  Very long-distance expeditions and paddling very far from shore. Conversations have been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What advice would you have for someone who is planning their first long distance paddle?

Joe: Focus on hours in the boat instead of time to go a certain distance. Say, “I’m going to be in my boat for 7 hours today.” Instead of “I’m going to paddle 20 miles in 5 hours today.” The hours don’t have to be consecutive, just total for the day. So you could say, three hours in a morning session, and four in an evening session. And for off-water training, core, core, core!

Fruits and granola bars stuffed inside a shelf in a kayak's cockpit

A look in the cockpit, snacks Joe had at hand during his 4 day speed record

Kyle: You want to try and work up to a longer distance. The times I have been most successful with distance paddling has been when I’ve paddled a similar length route relatively recently, so I know that I’m just pushing it a little further and the muscle memory is built up. Also use an activity tracking app like Strava that will tell you how far you have gone so you can compare for your next paddle. Another major piece of advice for anyone setting out on a long paddle is to make sure you have plenty to drink and eat while you are paddling. This will make a monumental difference. An electrolyte drink mix is key for me. On such a long paddle, you’re likely going to get frazzled and burnt-out from the sun and spray, and sometimes just swallowing some bites of food and water can be a good reset in your brain. Your body will also thank you.

Q: What skills and equipment does someone need to have for their first offshore paddle?

Kyle: You will never catch me offshore without a handheld marine airhorn and a VHF radio. The airhorn is very effective when used in a marine setting, as sounding it with multiple short blasts implies collision imminent so it is a real way to get the attention of boats that are bigger than you or you think may not see you. The VHF is also key for announcing your crossing of a busy channel, monitoring the traffic of other vessels, and communicating with other boats around you. I also like to carry a PLB, or personal locator beacon, that I paddle with in my vest. This gives a nice peace of mind as a redundant form of emergency communication when far from shore. SPOT Finder is the one I use, and it can be used to communicate with friends and loved ones back on land, and as a distance tracker. 

Finally, it’s not really a safety thing, but especially for distance paddling I find a wing paddle is nice as it relieves the need to direct the face of the paddle through the water. With proper technique, a wing paddle will do this for you and save you a lot of energy. The one I prefer is the Epic Kayaks Mid-wing. 

Q: Why should someone try out more extreme paddling? What do you like about these bigger adventures?

Joe: Distance paddling allows a clear path to growth and improvement with tangible goals and results. 

a low lying rocky island far out to sea

Joe on a paddle to Matinicus Rock

Kyle: The excitement and challenge it presents. To me it really feels like elevating your paddling to the next level when you venture further from shore and can still feel comfortable. I also love how it elevates your senses in the now. On a long open water paddle, your mind is forced to only think about what is in front of you and making the next waypoint nothing else, so it’s a nice escape from your brain’s usual thought process.

Q: Could you share a favorite memory from an “extreme” paddle? What’s the farthest you’ve ever paddled in one day?

Joe: Solo: 68 miles. Tandem: 71 miles.

Kyle: One of my favorite memories of a distance paddle was the circumnavigation of Vinalhaven from Rockland in a single day with my friend Vytas.

A kayaker far from land in the open ocean

Kyle on his single day circumnavigation of Vinalhaven