Paddling Pace Calculator

A recreational kayaker paddling at a comfortable pace covers about 2 to 3 knots (2.3 to 3.5 mph). Fit sea kayakers on a tour typically average 2.5 to 3.5 knots. Experienced paddlers in fast touring kayaks can sustain 4 to 5 knots over short distances. Canoeists typically paddle at 2 to 3 mph on flat water.

Time = Distance / Speed. If you paddle at 3 knots and your route is 15 nautical miles, the time is 15 / 3 = 5 hours. Add rest stops and factor in current, wind, and fatigue for realistic trip planning. A common rule is to add 20 to 30 percent to calculated time for actual conditions.

Paddling with the current adds the current speed directly to your speed over ground. Paddling against the current subtracts it. A 1-knot current helping you turns a 3-knot paddler into a 4-knot speed over ground. A 1-knot opposing current reduces you to 2 knots over ground. Always check tide tables and current predictions when planning coastal paddling.

Speed through water (STW) is how fast you are paddling relative to the water. Speed over ground (SOG) is how fast you are actually moving relative to land, accounting for current and wind drift. For trip planning on moving water, SOG is what matters for calculating arrival times.

To estimate crossing time: measure the distance using a map or GPS, estimate your average paddling speed (2.5 to 3.5 knots for a recreational paddler), then divide distance by speed. For example, a 3-nautical-mile lake crossing at 3 knots takes 1 hour. Always plan for safety margins and check weather conditions before crossing open water.