Re: [Paddlewise] Fwd: paddle motion "CORRECT WAY?"

From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_gsp.org>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 18:42:07 -0400
> Question..... Is there really a "correct" way?  Do we really have to stick
> with the way that everyone accepts as the "only" right way?  Is there no room
> for innovation? I don't follow some of the "correct" things........

Sure, there's lots of room for change.  The duffek stroke was a major
innovation in its time, and changed everything about slalom as a consequence.
The recent experiments in C-2 technique (e.g. the Czech boats where the
bow paddler rarely paddles offside) may have a similar impact for
tandem boats.

But until such innovations come along and *prove* themselves to be superior,
there are tried-and-true methods which are demonstrably better than the
alternatives.  Those are referred to as "correct" because, as far as we
know at the moment, they *are* correct.  Doing the forward stroke by
moving the boat past a stationary paddle is one of them; in fact, that's
why you'll find world-class whitewater paddlers doing flatwater workouts,
in an effort to get as close as possible to that ideal stroke.

---Rsk
Rich Kulawiec
rsk_at_gsp.org
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Received on Wed Jul 22 1998 - 15:43:28 PDT

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