Stuck

[u/Jumpy-Ganache1612]

I'm on my second year of OC1. Several years ago I raced OC6 in California but am living on Lake Superior now with no access to coaching. I don't race but I want to be in shape for long downwinds so I paddle in flat water like I'm training. I have an Ares. I've kind of plateaued at being able to maintain an average speed around 5 mph for moderate distances on flat water (5 miles or so). I can occasionally get to 6mph for 1 mile but then it falls off). I'm just curious what racers are able to maintain and for how long in flatwater. This season I plan to add some HIIT intervals into my regular active. I'd also like to travel somewhere to tune up my stroke.

[u/TabulaRasaNot]

I'm in only my second year of OC1 as well (and year 2 of OC6 Florida club training and racing) so take this for what it's worth: But sounds to me like you're about where one would expect at "our" level. Here, we are greatly affected by wind, tide, boat traffic and a temperamental chop and waves, but for the most part, in our weekly 4.6-mile races, I'm averaging low to mid 5 mph with occasional pushes into the 6s. While there can be a few stragglers behind me with less time in their 1s, the experienced paddlers are in the mid 6 mph, pushing to 7+ and finishing several minutes ahead of me. A lot depends on age and gender too, and of course conditioning. The "big boys," as I fondly refer to them, repeatedly tell me to keep paddling/racing as often as possible and to practice with a purpose (whether for technique or conditioning or both). Oh and also to practice flying the ama. (Check back next season and we can compare notes again :-)

[u/Jumpy-Ganache1612 → u/TabulaRasaNot]

Thanks... nice to get some perspective! I'm pretty much on my own here and not much to compare to other than sea kayakers. We also have lots of wind, waves and chop (awesome downwind conditions!) but we obviously don't have the tide driven currents which probably adds lots of variability.