Joshua Teitelbaum wrote: > I have a confession to make. I am usually the slowest person in our group. > I have had my forward stroke critiqued from every angle, and try to do > everything I'm told. [snip] > some have said it is a matter of physical conditioning, and > that I should do weight training (and perhaps I should), I have my doubts > because there are paddlers who are not as strong as me, who still paddle > faster. I also do not feel that I am tiring when I paddle. > Why is my stroke so ineffective? Not tiring when you paddle? That is probably the key piece of information. Are you breathing significantly faster during paddling than at rest? If not, then you have more effort to expend. You do not have to exert yourself so much that you are on the ragged edge, but unless your heart rate and breathing are elevated, then you could put out more effort. If you know someone who has a wireless heart rate monitor, slap it on during paddling and compare your heart rate (at paddle cruise) with your heart rate during vigorous uphill walking. "Put out more effort" may translate into any of several changes in your stroke. However, you should feel your muscles **work** during the power phase of each stroke. If you can not feel significant resistance, then try a slightly longer paddle or maybe a somewhat larger blade face. Beware, however, of over-stressing your wrist and shoulder. If you feel your muscles **are** working near their capacity during the power phase, then the problem is muscle tone. Yup, that means weight training or some other resistance training activity focusing on your upper body. Paddling once a week is not enough to maintain upper body fitness for me. Good luck solving the problem ... 'course, you could always just choose slower partners! <g> -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jan 30 2001 - 03:25:08 PST
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