-----Original Message----- From: Sisler, Clyde [mailto:Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com] Sent: Thursday, May 21, 1998 2:44 PM To: 'paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Forward stroke I won't be in the kayak until the weekend/holiday so will wait until then to try out and respond to some of the comments made. I will take the canoe out again tonight for a spin and try out of plant, punch, hip thrust, etc. I can make a couple of comments now, though: I use torso rotation and try to push with the upper hand when I think of it but that lasts 2-3 minutes and then I get distracted and forget about it. When I start getting tired I think of it more so do it more. Otherwise, I would say most of the strain is in my forearms, and I consciously try to put tension on my middle back by leaning forward for longer, more exaggerated strokes. When I paddle with stiff arms at chest height, I fatigue quickly. I've been doing weight work on arms, back and shoulders for a year and a half so it's not like I'm terribly weak or anything like that. I don't know if its because my arms and shoulders are too tense or what. When I push with the upper hand, I feel clumsy and the paddle seems awkward and I feel unstable. It's like there's not enough resistance to the blade from the water so maybe what's been said about a deep paddle is the problem. I know I usually have at least 2/3 in the water and my hands are closer to my belly than my chest which means the paddle is more horizontal than verticle. That is a comfortable position for me. To put me in perspective, I took a week long course with MaineSport in Maine (imagine that) where I was with ACA certified instructors 24 hours a day so was on the water all day and got lectured in the evenings. I'm ok with the way I paddle now. I enjoy the workout and don't plan on long passages or even trips of more than 15-20 miles which I can handle with not much problem. I would just like to know I can do it the 'right way' even if I choose to do it my way. ************************************************************************** * Punching out at chest level is a high, power stroke. The Greenlanders use this stroke when they are in a hurry, but mostly they use a low stroke in which the paddle is more horizontal. The Greenland cruising style is to paddle with the arms low, relaxed, and bent while using torso rotation for power. Whether you are canoeing or kayaking, visualizing the paddle as something that you plant in the water and pull the boat toward should help you to focus on the mechanics of the forward stroke that are most efficient. However, don't be mechanical about these mechanics! Work on making everything flow smoothly together. There is a montage in Palos Brudefaerd, the 1932 film shot in Greenland, of a kayaker paddling so smoothly and effortlessly that whenever I feel I am even close to his style it is the high point of my day. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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