Re: [Paddlewise] FW: Forward paddling, paddle length, cocked wrists & washing socks

From: Kevin Whilden <kevin_at_yourplanetearth.org>
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 08:12:39 -0700
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Osman" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
To: "Paddlewise (E-mail)" <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2001 1:31 AM
Subject: [Paddlewise] FW: Forward paddling, paddle length, cocked wrists &
washing socks


> G'Day,
>
> Today I took Lynda's technique on the water with a shaft sized as per her
> specification. First impressions chronologically as follows: -
>
> 1. This can't be right theres not enough effort in the stroke
<snip>
> 8. After several hours I don't really feel as if I've had a decent work
out.

Yes, this is why the proper forward stroke is somewhat difficult to teach.
When the forward stroke is done right, it "feels" wrong... as if there
wasn't enough effort applied. People want to be rewarded for their effort,
and unfortunately bad technique feels rewarding because of the work out it
gives. A knotmeter would be a better metric for people to judge their
progress.

An interesting anecdote comes from Chris Spelius, who is a famous whitewater
kayaker who has been boating for a long time. In a older video, the
Kayaker's Edge, he relates that he is always trying to improve his forward
stroke because it is one of the more difficult techniques to master. I would
agree about this, and I know my stroke has a long way to go as well.

Happy paddling,
Kevin


***************************************************************************
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 Mon May 14 2001 - 08:14:04 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:42 PDT