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From: Sisler, Clyde <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Forward stroke
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 12:00:17 -0400
I was out on a local pond with my little 11 foot canoe last night when I
recalled reading something about the forward stroke in (I think) an
online magazine, which I can't find now.

If I recall, they were saying to stick the blade up forward as usual
(for both canoe and kayak), but you're not supposed to pull back.
Instead you're supposed to slide your butt/boat forward to meet the
paddle.  I don't remember all the details.

Anyone ever hear of such a thing?

I tried it in the canoe and it kinda seemed to work.  I don't know how
fast I could go with practice but I probably couldn't maintain the
stroke without concentration.

I ask, because of years of untutored canoe paddling, I pull on the
paddle.  I also pull on the kayak paddle and  can't, for the life of me,
push with my top hand on the forward stroke.  I don't really mind and
can pull for hours without much fatigue and exercise is one of my
primary reasons for paddling.  I would like, however, to know I can do
it properly, if/when I choose to.

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From: Bob Washburn <whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Forward stroke
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 12:47:18 -0500
The image I use with my students is to visualize throwing a punch.  A right
or left cross depending on which is the top hand.  Throw the punch from the
chest to full extension right below eye level and in front of the opposite
shoulder.  Throw the punch 15 - 20 times on land then move into the boat.
Don't worry about the bottom hand it will take care of itself.

At 12:00 PM 5/21/98 -0400, Sisler, Clyde wrote:
>I was out on a local pond with my little 11 foot canoe last night when I
>recalled reading something about the forward stroke in (I think) an
>online magazine, which I can't find now.
>
>If I recall, they were saying to stick the blade up forward as usual
>(for both canoe and kayak), but you're not supposed to pull back.
>Instead you're supposed to slide your butt/boat forward to meet the
>paddle.  I don't remember all the details.
>
>Anyone ever hear of such a thing?
>
>I tried it in the canoe and it kinda seemed to work.  I don't know how
>fast I could go with practice but I probably couldn't maintain the
>stroke without concentration.
>
>I ask, because of years of untutored canoe paddling, I pull on the
>paddle.  I also pull on the kayak paddle and  can't, for the life of me,
>push with my top hand on the forward stroke.  I don't really mind and
>can pull for hours without much fatigue and exercise is one of my
>primary reasons for paddling.  I would like, however, to know I can do
>it properly, if/when I choose to.

                        ,,,
                      (o o)
==================oOO--(_)--OOo==========================
                  Bob Washburn
whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com  or   rwashbu_at_siue.edu
"Are on the cutting edge or the lunatic fringe?"
=========================================================
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From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_gsp.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Forward stroke
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:07:37 -0400
On Thu, May 21, 1998 at 12:00:17PM -0400, Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> If I recall, they were saying to stick the blade up forward as usual
> (for both canoe and kayak), but you're not supposed to pull back.
> Instead you're supposed to slide your butt/boat forward to meet the
> paddle.  I don't remember all the details.
> 
> Anyone ever hear of such a thing?

Yes.  Your paddle should not move in the water; rather, you should move
your boat by thrusting it past your paddle.  This is where all that stuff
about torso rotation and pushing on the footpegs (or thigh-straps
if you're in a C-1) comes into play.

It takes a *lot* of practice to make this movement automatic; but it's
worth it because of the tremendous power you can generate *and* the
reduction in arm fatigue.

---Rsk
Rich Kulawiec
rsk_at_gsp.org
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From: Bob Washburn <whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Forward stroke
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 19:16:51 -0500
Can hardly wait for Dream Sequence II.


>> I went out to a local pond last night to try out some of the forward
>> stroking tehniques in the canoe.  Got to the pond about 4:30pm and
>> there was a 5-10 knot wind blowing and a few storm clouds not to far
>> way.  The water was kinda ragged but no waves.
>> 
>I put in and headed into the wind and tried the technique.  The first
>thing I found was my stroke was too long so I shortened it up so I was
>planting the blade somewhere near the vicintity of my knee (I'm
>sitting).  I would then pull the blade back as perpendicular as possible
>while thrusting forward with my hips.  (I felt like a horny teenager
>trying to pull is first date closer.)  With a little experimentation, I
>decided my paddle was about 6 inches too long so I started grabbing if
>by the shaft with the top hand.  The paddle was originally for a soloing
>a 15 foot Mad River.
>
                        ,,,
                      (o o)
==================oOO--(_)--OOo==========================
                  Bob Washburn
whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com  or   rwashbu_at_siue.edu
"Are on the cutting edge or the lunatic fringe?"
=========================================================
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