RE: [Paddlewise] Bowstroke was: "Regular" paddle stroke

Michael Daly wrote:
> 
> From: "John Fereira" <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
> >
> > Did the instructor also cover the sweep stroke?  When doing a sweep
stroke
> > the most effective part of the stroke is the last half. If you're doing
a
> > forward sweep, the greatest turning motion is achieved when the paddle
> > blade is the water from about the cockpit back towards the stern.
> 
> I know one BCU instructor that states quite emphatically that this is
completely
> wrong.  He says that the water is too turbulent near the rear of the hull
for the
> stroke to be effective and insists you stop just past the hip.  I think
he's wrong,
> IMNSHO, because the turbulent water is very close to the kayak and you'd
have
> to whack the kayak with the blade to get into that region.

I think the best drawstroke depends on what you want to do with it: Initiate
a turn or terminate a turn. Let me explain:

The full drawstroke, from your toes to the stern of your boat, will generate
a momentum. Apart from that, the first and last part of the stroke will push
the boat sideways, while the middle part will push the boat forward.

Now, if you're paddling forward and want to initiate a turn, you might
choose between:
- A bowstroke at the front, that will push the boat into the turn,
- A bowstroke at the stern, that will push the boat out of the turn, making
it skid throught the water.
The stroke at the front will make the turn tighter: That's why slalom
paddlers mainly use the front part of the stroke. The stroke at the back
will make the turn wider, but a skidding boat turns faster (same mechanics
as weathercocking, other story).

If you're making a turn and want to go forward again, you use a bowstroke on
the inside of the turn. Your choices are once again:
- A bowstroke at the front that will push the boat to the outside of the
turn, making the boat skid more. You may terminate the turning of the boat,
but while the skidding goes on, the boat will try to start turning again.
You will need more then one stroke to terminate the turn.
- A bowstroke at the back, that will pull your boat to the inside of the
turn, terminating both the turn and the skid. Back on track in one stroke.

So, I'd say you use a bowstroke at the FRONT to START a turn, and a
bowstroke at the BACK to STOP a turn.

Anybody out there able to understand my reasoning?

Niels.

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