While strong relationships between dynamic upper body strength and kayak sprint performance have been reported in several studies, information of the causal relationship is limited. Previously, maximal bench press and -pull has been proven strong predictors of kayak sprint performance, with bench press being of the highest importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different strength training programs (bench press- and maintenance program) on a 200m kayak ergometer sprint performance. Twenty-six national elite junior A, U23 and senior kayak paddlers (sixteen men: age 18.6 ± 4.1 years, weight 79.1 ± 7.8 kg, height 179.0 ± 5.1 cm, and ten women: age 17.0 ± 1.4 years, weight 64.9 ± 4.6 kg, height 168.5 ± 6.6 cm) were divided into two groups, and tested (200m sprint performance, 1RM; bench press, bench pull, pull up, and maximal repetition pull ups) before and after six weeks of strength training, concurrent with their normal on-water kayak training. The purpose of the maintenance group was to maintain strength in all exercises, while the purpose of the bench press group was to increase maximal bench press strength. Significant differences were found in 200m sprint performance (difference = -1.15%; p = 0.042), 1RM bench press (difference = 7.53%; p = 0.001), and 1RM bench pull (difference = 2.31%; p = 0.025) in the bench press group. No significant differences were found for the maintenance group. In conclusion six weeks of heavy bench press training, improved the 200m kayak ergometer sprint performance, while six weeks of maintaining strength in press and pull resulted in no improvements for the 200m kayak ergometer sprint performance.