A Closer Look at Seat Time

There’s a lot of talk in kayaking circles about “seat time”—and for good reason. It’s the foundation of how we grow, gain confidence, and connect with the sport. But not all seat time is created equal. If you’re looking to progress in whitewater kayaking, it’s essential to understand the different types of seat time and how each plays a role in your development.

Let’s break it down into three parts: Seat Time, Valuable Seat Time, and Invaluable Seat Time.

1. Seat Time: Being on the River

Seat time is the time spent going down rivers for experience, fun, and the opportunity to join in on the thing we all love—being on the water. It’s about showing up, paddling, laughing with friends, and soaking in the environment. And while this kind of time is great for building familiarity and comfort, it won’t necessarily make you a better kayaker on its own.

Kayaking, simply for the sake of kayaking, gives you experience and joy—and that’s important. But if your goal is to progress, you need to distinguish this from more focused, purposeful time on the water.

2. Valuable Seat Time: Purposeful Paddling

Valuable seat time is what happens when you hit the river with intention. It’s not just about paddling—it’s about practicing. This might mean working on your eddy turns, dialing in a challenging ferry, experimenting with boofs, or trying out stern squirts. It could also be time spent troubleshooting and improving your combat roll in dynamic water.

The key here is mindset. You’re running the river with goals—actively working on specific skills that push your abilities and refine your technique. That focus is what turns a regular paddle into valuable time that drives your progression.

3. Invaluable Seat Time: The Flatwater Advantage

Here’s where the real growth starts: flatwater. What some paddlers might dismiss as “just roll practice” is actually one of the most powerful forms of training you have.

Flatwater offers a low-risk, high-reward environment. It strips away the chaos of current and gives you total control—perfect for drilling skills, building boat awareness, and understanding how your body, boat and blade work together. Whether it’s practicing rolls from all angles, refining strokes, or experimenting with edge control, flatwater is where the foundation is built.

And here’s the thing—if something goes wrong, it’s no big deal. You swim, your buddy helps you back to shore, you hop back in and try again. As my friend Dane Newman once told me, “If you can do it in flatwater, you can most definitely do it in moving water.”

Flatwater is essential. If you’re not making use of it, you may be missing out on one of the most effective ways to improve.

Bringing It All Together

It all flows downstream—literally and figuratively. Invaluable seat time in flatwater transfers into valuable seat time on the river, and both enhance your overall experience when you’re simply out paddling.

If you’re looking to progress in the sport, be intentional. Make small goals, stay curious and mentally uncomfortable, and seek out the skills you want to develop. Whether you’re floating for fun, drilling technique, or pushing your limits, every moment in the kayak is an opportunity.

The more purposeful you are with your seat time, the more epic your journey on the water will become.