Re: [Paddlewise] "Regular" paddle stroke

From: "Gabriel L Romeu" <romeug_at_erols.com>


> 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.
> > 
> > I know one BCU instructor that states quite emphatically that this is completely
> > wrong. 
> 
> I think the the potential increase in cadence is a far better argument
> than turbulence, lift, whatever.

Are you worried about cadence in a sweep?  One long sweep wastes less time
that two short ones if you really, really, really need to change direction.

> > 
> > Personally, I have a real problem with all these explanations.  If you do a sweep
> > stroke from the torso, with hands low (paddle shaft close to horizontal) and in a
> > more or less static position relative to the body, you are applying a constant
> > moment (torque) that will turn the kayak regardless of the point where the paddle
> > is inserted!  Or to get to the point, the stroke is just as effective in turning at the
> > front as at the back.
> 
> and now for something completely different-  I was taught (ACA/BCU) the
> the primary sweep power is at the bow til 2:00, forward from 2-4:00,
> then strong sweep from 4-6:00. 

Now is that based on the biomechanics (i.e. the muscle action) of the stroke 
(something I completely, and deliberately ignored in my statement)?  It sounds
like it's based on the misconception that the blade direction and nearness to the
ends of the kayak generate the turning moment.

Imagine that you are the kayak and you feel something making you turn.  What is
it?  You can't see the paddle so you don't know about it.  All you feel is the paddler's
backside, hips, knees/thighs and feet.  What does it matter where the paddle is?
All the paddle forces feed back through the paddler into the kayak.  Unless there's
a reason that the paddler is doing better (- the biomechanics I'm ignoring for lack of
knowledge) the paddle orientation in a uniform sweep is irrelevant.  

It is possible that they are taking issue with the fact that the central portion of the 
sweep generates the most forward motion in addition to the turning.

> 
> > 
> > I always do a sweep with a full rotation (as close to 180 degrees as I need) and
> > often do a return stroke as a low brace.  The latter keeps me confident if on a
> > hard edge.
> 
> with the addition of that nice skimming  brace that I was introduced to
> just last year.

I learned it last year as well and it was one of those "Duh, why didn't I think of that?"
It's so obvious, but I never did it.  Skimming is the key word of course.  I like it in
part because it reminds me of the gentle Canadian stoke I used to use canoeing
in days gone by.

Mike


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