Ok, after numerous attempts I'm having a little difficulty sculling & bracing with a Greenland style paddle. The reason is it is difficult to change the blade orientation so that it is near horizontal to the water. Should I rotate the paddle in my hand or rotate my wrists? My wrists don't want to bend that much and the paddle feels unnatural when I rotate the paddle with my hand on the root of the blade. Any words of wisdom?! Thanks in advance, Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Woody: You wrote: "Ok, after numerous attempts I'm having a little difficulty sculling & bracing with a Greenland style paddle." Lift your elbows to place the back of the paddle on the surface of the water for the low brace. No need to change grip. Lower the elbows and raise the wrists/hands to perform the high brace. A slight bend at the wrist will make the fine adjustment. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 4/4/99 5:01:10 PM Pacific Daylight Time, woodardr_at_tidalwave.net writes: << 'm having a little difficulty sculling & bracing with a Greenland style paddle. The reason is it is difficult to change the blade orientation so that it is near horizontal to the water. Should I rotate the paddle in my hand or rotate my wrists? >> Neither. It should be no harder orienting the Greenland paddle than the blade-on-stick variety. For a low brace, try rotating your forearms so that the knuckles are down, elbows up, wrists straight, forearms perpendicular, paddle shaft against your stomach. It also helps to lean just a bit forward to bring your shoulders over the paddle. For a high brace, rotate knuckles up, elbows in close to the sides of your chest, forearms vertical, paddle shaft below your throat. Of course, you want to keep your eye on the ball and nose to the grindstone for good effect. Hope this helps. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
<snip> > It also helps to lean just a bit forward > to bring your shoulders over the paddle. Thanks Harold (and Steve!), So if I'm doing the "touch your ear to the water exercise", would I expect my paddle blade to be a bit under the surface of the water? After reading your's and Steve's descriptions, I think I was trying to have my hands too far out in front of me. Larry sent me a web site with pictures of people bracing with a greenland, but they all seemed to be doing it with the paddle extended (one hand on blade, one on the loom). Thanks again, I may have more questions when I get back from practicing this weekend 8^) Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Robert Woodard wrote: > <snip> > > It also helps to lean just a bit forward > > to bring your shoulders over the paddle. > > Thanks Harold (and Steve!), > > So if I'm doing the "touch your ear to the water exercise", would I expect > my paddle blade to be a bit under the surface of the water? Yes, I think your paddle blade should be under water. This allows the foil blade of the paddle to generate the most lift. This benefit is lost if the paddle is partly out of the water. > > After reading your's and Steve's descriptions, I think I was trying to have > my hands too far out in front of me. Larry sent me a web site with pictures > of people bracing with a greenland, but they all seemed to be doing it with > the paddle extended (one hand on blade, one on the loom). > Yep, this is exactly how sculling should be done with a greenland paddle. Using one hand on the blade gives you increased control over blade angle, and also better strength in the scull. You should get used to sliding your hands out just like you saw in the pictures (which I haven't seen). With just a little practice, you will be able to make this motion almost instantaneous, and your braces will be much stronger. > Thanks again, I may have more questions when I get back from practicing this > weekend 8^) Good luck! > > Woody > > > *************************************************************************** > 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/ ***************************************************************************
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