Paddling in the wind without wearing yourself out

On the Swedish lakes we paddle, rain hardly matters. Wind is what decides the day. A breeze you would barely notice on land can turn a pleasant crossing into an hour of hard work, so it is worth learning to read it before you set off.

Plan with the wind, not against it

Check the forecast for wind speed and direction, and plan the longest open crossings for the morning, when lakes are usually calmest. Where you can, paddle into the wind early while you are fresh, so it helps you home in the afternoon.

Use the shore

Wind is weakest close to the upwind shore, in the lee of islands and behind headlands. A route that follows the coastline may be twice as long on the map and still twice as quick on the water.

Technique that saves energy

• Sit upright and rotate your body, so your back and stomach do the work instead of your arms
• Shorten your stroke and keep a steady rhythm rather than pulling harder
• Lower your paddle angle in strong gusts, so the wind catches less of the blade
• Into waves, keep the bow pointed slightly off the wind rather than straight at it

Know when to stop

If the wind reaches the top of what the group is comfortable with, land and wait. Afternoon winds often drop in the evening, and an hour on a warm rock with a flask of coffee is never wasted. The lake will still be there.