Kirk just pointed out a few more points - be sure your paddle is in the water. Water does work better than air for resistance. :) I think I actually drive the paddle a little downward to make a good plant and get it ready for the draw - and remember you have about 8-12 inches to increase forward speed - any more pull length starts subtracting it. And be sure you are not leaning forward and back as you stroke - the stroke happens because of the twist and the straight arms carrying the force to the paddle. And I couldn't resist doing a quick search for information on the net. On strength exercises for kayakers. Here ‘tis for what its worth. - This would be a format I would give a teacher who asked for information on a topic. http://www.weba-sport.com/ This even has specialized equipment - one of my friends used this concept and strips from an inner tube hooked to the wall and a broomstick to stimulate the same equipment and allow him to work out his paddling muscles. http://www.ifafitness.com/sports/index.html This has no information on kayaking exercises but suggests you ask them questions about sports not listed. http://www.fska.org/fska5.htm#injury - This page list some of the most used muscles in kayaking - use them to look for specific exercises - I used the meta search engine, www.ixquick.com - then just enter the muscle name +exercise or +strength training. I would pay particular attention to the back, shoulders, forearms and triceps. http://www.worldar.com/exercise/index.html These are supposed be exercises for adventure racing. Many of them would be helpful for kayakers . Click on the exercises to see the description. Further searches may reveal sites where you can see a movie of the exercise being performed. http://www.monocacycanoe.org/mccboard/messages/544.html Lots of advice from a personal trainer. Hope this helps, Marilyn Kircus *************************************************************************** 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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