The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate multiple variables, that may affect sprint kayak performance on a 500 m race distance. 14 male elite paddlers participated in this study. The chosen variables were divided into three categories; on-water, body composition variables, and strength variables. A system called e-kayak, was used to conduct the on-water kayak measurements. This system makes it possible to synchronously measure the kinetics (paddle and leg forces) and kinematics (stroke frequency, displacement, velocity, acceleration and the angular velocity). The body composition of the paddler was evaluated using Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the strength was assessed in a private lab. One repetition maximum was identified for four exercises including bench press, bench pull, pull up and a single arm machine. A significant negative correlation was found between the race time and lean body mass (r=-0.60, p=0,03). The results showed that multicollinearity exist between the mean force, peak force, and the two impulses, as all four variables showed significant positive co-correlations. The strength in the single arm machine was correlated with the strength in bench press, bench pull and the pull up exercise. The strongest correlation in relation to the strength variables were found between the SAM and race time (r=-0.27, p=0,38). Based on the findings in this study it can be deduced that the lean body mass of the paddler is a key performance indicator among elite kayak paddlers on a 500 m distance. Furthermore, the results could indicate that a kayak specific exercise such as a SAM would enhance performance on the 500 m distance more than the BP, BPU and PU exercise among elite paddlers.