Re: [Paddlewise] Crossing Eddyline Question

On Sat, 16 Jan 1999, Gerald Foodman wrote:

> Thanks to everyone for helpful answers to my question (repeated above).
> Tomckayak addressed what I am really interested in knowing.  (see below)
> 
> >You can get away with a quick snap brace on the up stream side. It should
> make
> >a loud noise as the blade hits the water surface. This has to be
> instinctive
> >and done even before you can think of it. If you bury your blade face on
> the
> >up stream side your in trouble.
> 
> Do people agree that this quick upstream brace can be effective?  Or is it
> too late if you are forced to do it?  I have tried a quick down wave brace
> while surfing, which I think is analogous, and quickly flipped.

Jerry, I think a few words of caution are in order. I consider a quick
snap upstream brace is a very bad habit to develop. Such a technique
performed with a high brace and bad bracing technique is likely to result
in shoulder dislocation. A low brace is more safe, but it is harder to
turn it into a reflex fast enough to be of any use. A shoulder dislocation
is such a painful and debilitating injury, that I consider it not worth
the risk of practicing what I consider a poor technique compared to the
alternatives. It is much better to spend a little effort to make crossing
eddylines properly a reflex. It is not that hard to do if you are serious
-- half a day could be sufficient.

I have never seen proper high bracing technique published in any kayaking
literature. Done properly, the high brace is 90-95% safe from a shoulder
dislocation. The low brace is 100% safe. "Kayak" by William Nealy has a
good discussion on the dangers of the high vs. low brace.

The only times I have used an upstream snap brace were in desperation to
prevent being broached on a rock in a river.

Cheers,
Kevin


> 
> Jerry
> 
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