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. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I think your explanation is exactly right on. And well done. Slalom coaches often talk about Bow Forward Sweeps and Stern Forward Sweeps. Bow sweeps start at the bow and end perpendicular to the hull, Sterns start perpendicular and end at the stern. A Full Sweep is the 180 degree thing most people think of. The stern sweep may feel stronger because it is usually done after the turn has been intitiated. Have a contest: Get bow to bow with a similiar kayak and kayaker of similar ability. One boater does bow forward sweeps until he is back at the starting point. The other does stern foward sweeps only. Who gets there first? My money is on the bow sweeper. For one thing, it is easier to plant your weight on the bow sweep because you end in something like a bracing position, whereas the stern sweep starts in a bracing position. Jim Tibensky _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Blaauw, Niels" <nblaauw_at_foxboro.com> > I think the best drawstroke depends on what you want to do with it: Initiate > a turn or terminate a turn. Let me explain: [...] good explanation. > Anybody out there able to understand my reasoning? This makes a great deal of sense. You're breaking the the turn down. You differentiate based on the effects of the lateral and longitudinal motion in conjunction with the turning. If you're not concerned about the forward motion (unlike a slalom paddler) a full stroke is fine. Otherwise, you can fine tune the effects. Mike . *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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