On Tue, 12 Jan 1999, Gerald Foodman wrote: > I learned to moon the current when crossing an eddyline. Good enough. But > I get confused about which side to brace on. If you don't moon enough the > current wants to flip you to the upstream side. You are tempted to brace > hard upstream to prevent going over that way. But you are supposed to brace > on the downstream side. It takes too long to think this through when I need > to. > > Any suggestions. > > Jerry Jerry, you should always try to brace on the downstream side. The brace will be much more effective than usual, because the current will flow underneath the paddle and provide extra lift just as you cross the eddyline. You may find that you can get away with a lean and a hard brace that would otherwise flip you in flat water. As far as thinking about it goes, I would suggest turning your thinking into a reflex through practice! Find a nice eddyline somewhere, and practice entering and exiting all day long. You will gain many other subtle skills by doing this. This is about all that I have my students do on the first day of my crossover whitewater class for sea kayakers (http://www.halcyon.com/kayak/river.html), and at the Kayak Academy, we don't waste time doing anything that isn't the most helpful. Crossing eddylines practices so many fundamental kayak skills -- I think it is the best way improve your overall ability in the shortest amount of time. Oh yes, as well as bracing, do not forget to edge your boat by lifting with legs/hips. By the end of the day, you should be able to cross strong eddylines without even putting the paddle in the water. Cheers, Kevin > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jan 12 1999 - 22:41:00 PST
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