The current thesis investigates the contribution of aerodynamic drag on a elite sprint kayakers as a factor in the outcome of a race. Field testing of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) velocity profile within the height of a kayaker is explained with results used to model ABL flow in a wind tunnel. The wind tunnel experiments measure aerodynamic drag on a 1/6 model kayaker for three inflow profiles which is then used to determine aerodynamic drag which includes the drag from non-uniform ABL winds. To evaluate the importance of aerodynamics for a K1 male kayaker, the contribution of aerodynamic drag for calm and headwind conditions is found as a percentage of overall drag. Drag coefficients, fontal area and speed profile for a specific kayaker are then used to determine a significant change in a 200 m race finish-time for changes in body-shape-driven drag coefficient and for the addition of headwinds.