Re: [Paddlewise] Torso rotation

Absolutely Z-E-R-O offence taken. <grin>  Although I am tempted to reply
with a...'But it feels so good' <grin>

What is a back band supposed to do?  Does it slide from side to side,
enhancing the rotation?  Are they free on the support belt so that they
slide or what is they difference between a back band and a rigid support.  I
have build my own kayak and for the moment am using the back of the coaming
as the back rest.  Not that comfortable, but not that bad.  It certainly
wasn't my idea of the finial solution, but figured I would start paddling
and work on 'fitting' as I went.

Marvin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Whilden" <kevin_at_yourplanetearth.org>
To: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>; <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>;
<skylakeboatworks_at_yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 8:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Torso rotation


> Marvin,
>
> You're about to get my professional opinion, so try not to get offended.
> Remember, you asked for it...
>
> The preferred technique you described, leaning back and paddling with your
> arms, is a L-A-Z-Y way to kayak. :) Fine if you only want to toodle around
> on a flat lake for 30 minutes, but totally worthless on a long trip or in
> windy conditions. You mentioned feeling awkward rotating your torso --
this
> is a normal feeling. After 30 minutes, it will stop feeling awkward and
> you'll be used to it henceforth. The reason it feels awkward is twofold.
> One, because we humans rarely engage in such active torso rotation in
normal
> life. Two, because nearly every skill in kayaking is counter-intuitive. If
> it feels wrong, there's a good chance that it is actually right. Chew on
> that for a bit...
>
> One other possibility why leaning back feels good is that you have bad
back
> support. You may consider installing a good back band. Rigid seat backs
are
> not so great.
>
> Many people have given you good advice for activating your torso during
the
> stroke. But it sounded to me like you were able to do it, but just didn't
> like it. Nevertheless, torso rotation is such a fundamental skill, that I
> also cannot resist commenting on how to do it. But I'll restrict my
comments
> to a couple of observations on what Scott said below:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
> To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 5:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Torso rotation
>
>
> > > Just how much torso rotation is normal?
> >
> >    Paddling with straight arms, as already mentioned, is probably the
best
> > way to accomplish what you are trying to figure out. The technique is
> simple,
> > just lock your elbows and paddle. The only way you can paddle the boat
> with
> > your arms locked is by using torso rotation. Once you get the hang of
it,
> > bend your elbows just enough to feel comfortable and continue paddling
as
> you
> > did with your elbows locked. If you can do this then you should have
> pretty
> > good torso rotation working for you.
>
> This is a really good teaching technique, and is exactly what I teach to
my
> students.
>
> >    The problem is that I find that quite a large number of people are
> unable
> > to paddle with their elbows locked. They just can't do it! I guess it's
> sort
> > of like rubbing your stomach with one hand while patting your head with
> the
> > other.
>
> I've encountered some people with this problem. But I have always been
able
> to get them to figure it out with enough "positive" feedback.
>
>
> > Not everyone is able to easily accomplish this. So another technique
> > you might try is to sit comfortably in your boat with your back more or
> less
> > straight. Hold your paddle comfortably out in front of you at about
chest
> > height or slightly below, elbows slightly bent. Now slowly, and gently.
> twist
> > your torso with your paddle from one side to the other. Imagine you are
> > simply limbering up your torso with this twisting exercise. Once you
have
> > twisted a number of times from one side to the other in the air, keep
> slowly
> > twisting, but drop one end after the other of your paddle into the water
> as
> > you do.
>
> So called "air paddling" is an excellent teaching tool, and is the exact
> same next step that I use to teach torso rotation if locked-arms trick
> doesn't work. Good going, Scott!
>
> Kevin
>
>



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