Re: [Paddlewise] Leg Power (was an apology to Jim et. al. - )

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 09:36:12 -0400
Daniel Key wrote:

> Every flatwater kayaker I have seen pushes with the onside leg.  That is,
> they drive with the leg that is on the same side as the stroke.  I have
> studied quite a few racers and videos of races and I have yet to see an
> exception.  I believe the idea is to increase the rotation of the torso by
> rotating the hips with the legs.  Your legs are generally even more
> powerful than the back.  The knees are really high to provide a lot of
> travel for that side of the hip.  When I use the technique I slide about
> 4".  This works really well in a sprint kayak with an open flat seat that
> the paddler can slide on.  It is less noticable in a snuggly fitted sea
> kayak, but it does still work.

Does this mean that you have to "loosen up" the fitting of your sea
kayak to use the leg power effectively?   I don't get the leg push, to
be honest.  I've tried it and it seems that I'm so snugly wedged into
my SK that I get nothing out of it.  All I'm doing is pushing my backside
tighter into the back of the seat.

Mike

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Received on Sat Jun 26 1999 - 06:37:36 PDT

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