Gary, mariners such as us kayakers (and also aircraft pilots) measure distances in nautical miles (also called sea miles); these are just about 6,080 feet, or, more exactly, 1,852 meters. It's much easier to remember that a nautical mile is just about 15% bigger than a "regular" or "statute" mile of 5,280 feet. There are exactly 60 nautical miles per one degree of latitude. Nautical charts show distances in nautical miles (plus often other measures like yards, kilometers, statute miles). For talking about speed of our vessel, or of the wind, we talk of nautical miles per hour, or knots (don't say knots per hour, just knots). If I paddle at 4 knots, that means I'm paddling 4 sea miles per hour. Using the rule that one sea or nautical mile equals 1.15 statute miles, that means that when I paddle at 4 knots, I'm paddling at a speed of 4.6 statute miles per hour. A 30-knot wind is blowing at 34.5 "regular" or statute miles per hour.

Hope that helps.

Carl