The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between skilled and unskilled of the kayak forward stroke motion. The reason for this is to provide basic scientific information regarding general training program for kayaking to increase the participation of this enjoyable leisure activity. A total of 20 subjects participated; 10 elite university kayak players and 10 male university students. The experiment was performed indoors on a kayak ergometer while the kinematic, plantar pressure distribution and muscle activation was recorded and analyzed. Results show that there were significant differences between the stroke frequency, paddling length, shoulder joint maximum flexion angle, trunk and pelvic rotation range of motion, knee joint range of motion, maximum knee flexion, maximum plantar pressure, maximum reaction force, muscle activity for the rectus femoris and biceps femoris for the elite and unskilled. The maximum elbow flexion angle, shoulder range of motion, and the iEMG muscle activity of the triceps was statistically significantly higher for the unskilled group. In conclusion, the skilled kayak players used more trunk and pelvic rotation to increase the ability to extend the knee, whereas the unskilled group showed the ineffective use of their whole body, including their trunk and pelvis thus performing a less effective motion.