Re: [Paddlewise] I'm a slowpoke: advice sought

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 20:00:00 -0500
From: "Joshua Teitelbaum" <teitelba_at_post.tau.ac.il>


> Why is my stroke so ineffective?  I'd appreciate any advice from you 
> instructors out there.  I would also like to add the following:  I am 42 
> years old; most of the kayakers are in their late 20s, early 30s. I have a 
> short torso and long legs.  This may be why I am not getting forward enough 
> in my stroke.  Nigel Dennis also said that I needed a higher seat and a 
> shorter paddle.  I paddle with a Lendal Nordkapp,  modified crank, 218 cm. 
> in length.  Nigel advised that I get a 215.  I paddle a NDK Romany Explorer.

One thing I would suggest is trying a different paddle.  The Nordkapp is a 
relatively big blade (by _my_ standards :-)  and this could be forcing you 
into a low stroke rate that isn't optimal for you.  See if you can borrow a
smaller blade - even to something as petite as a Current Designs 
Sabella (http://www.cdkayak.com/paddles.htm#Sabella) and try a higher
stroke rate.

I can't say for sure that it'll help, but it's worth a try.  Everyone has their own
natural cadence and if you're off that it could slow you down a tad.  I 
wouldn't expect a big change however.

Keep the Nordkapp for when you want power.  

Mike

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Received on Tue Jan 30 2001 - 16:59:44 PST

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