[Paddlewise] FW: Still trying to increase speed!

Joshua wrote: -
>but I'm still slower than nearly all my paddling buddies,
>who are mostly younger and in great shape.
SNIP
>Are any of you fitness types who can suggest some exercises?

Joshua,

I'm no expert but am a non muscular 53 year old who after many trials,
errors and frustration can now keep up. Here are several thoughts, hope some
of them shed new light.

Make sure the blade area of the paddle is well matched to your strength. If
you are having to overstress your muscles with a particular paddle then your
stroke will become disproportionately less efficient.

Could you descibe your stroke in more detail - is it a racing style of
stroke with the blade near the surface of the water and near the side of the
kayak as it propels the kayak forward or is it a 'rough water' style of
stroke with the blade sweeping somewhat away from the boat to provide
support as well as forward movement. My point is that if you have the kind
of boat where hip movement can be used to maintain its balance in moderately
choppy water then it may be possible to use the racing style in water where
you might otherwise be using a 'rough water' stroke. The racing style is
more energy efficient and fast.

If you are digging deep into the water you may be wasting energy lifting
water rather than propelling the boat forward. Possibly the paddle length is
too long if this the case.

Having said that a variety of exercise is highly desirable not just to get
muscles in trim but also to prevent injury due to overuse and unbalancing of
muscles/tendon's. Re the boredom factor - much sympathy; an investment in
earphones for joggers and a pocket radio or music/book player may be an
answer!

Alternatively here is a website for a jet propelled kayak. If I couldn't
laugh I would weep:~)
http://www.powerkak.com/prod01.htm


All the best, PeterO



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