[Paddlewise] Bad forward sweep

G'Day,

Thanks very much indeed to everyone for their advice and their summaries.

I've been thinking about how what has been said applies to the weaknesses in
my technique. So will summarise my situation and then ask some more
questions.

- My boat tracks very straight even when edged if
  I am not using some kind of turning stroke
- The most I can edge this boat, which is usually
  carrying some load in the rear hatch, is to get
  the coaming to the level of the water line. I
  can't edge the boat to get the coaming below the
  water line without leaning as well. If I increase
  the thickness of knee pads my feet go to sleep
  although I'm still modifying along the lines
  suggested in earlier posts.
- If the boat is leaned it will almost turn on a dime
  (20c in Australia:~)
- I've got no problem with straight arm paddling or
  body rotation or locking the shoulders to the body
  as I use an "Olympic" stroke unless in rough water
  and have practised this lots. Despite this I do
  extend the paddle for rotation strokes.

>From what is being said on Paddlewise I think my real problem is not leaning
enough with a good enough support component in the stroke so information on
blade angle and body lean and their variation as the paddle passes through
the water would be particularly welcome

I'ld be very interested in what degrees of turn with a forward sweep are
achievable if anyone happens to have assessed this

Also I'm confused as to whether the first or last part of the stroke has
most turning effect.

>From what Marinell says it sounds like lean turns in rough water are
probably not reasonable and using the waves is a better option.

Thanks again for all the advice it is very much appreciated

All the best, PeterO

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