Re: [Paddlewise] sculling brace

At 07:42 AM 1/9/2003 +1100, PeterO wrote:
>G'Day,
>
>I'm practicing bracing at the moment - particularly the sculling brace. My
>ambition is to get to a more or less horizontal position in or under the
>water while maintaining the scull. Its one of those techniques, which looks
>effortless in skilled hands and is a complete "dogs breakfast" when I try it
>lying horizontal in the water.

There are a few of tricks for a sculling brace.


First, just try sculling the paddle back and forth  from bow to stern and
back , drawing a large "C" in the water.  The first trick to sculling is
maintaining a climbing angle on the blade the entire time the paddle is in
motion.   Try to move the paddle back and forth *slowly*, keeping the
trailing edge of the blade just a tad  deeper in the water than the leading
edge.   The most important part of the stroke is at the transition, when
the paddle changes direction.  It's actually easier to reset the climbing
angle of the blade if you make long, slow, strokes.  A fast scull doesn't
keep you from sinking.  It's the climbing angle of the blade, as it's
moving through the water that give you lift.    Think of what happens when
you stick your hand out a car window and point your fingers forward.  Tilt
your fingers up, ever so slightly, and your hand raises up.  Start to point
your fingers down and your hand dives.  The same thing happens with a
paddle blade as it's moving through the water.
As your sculling the paddle back and forth try adjusting the paddling angle
a bit.  If the blade is too flat (parallel with the water surface) it's
easy for the leading edge to catch and cause the paddle to dive.    Too
much angle and you start pushing a lot of water back and forth without
getting much lift.
It's like spreading peanut butter on a soft piece of bread.

The next trick is that in order to get to a horizontal position you really
have to commit to going over. I find trying to do deep scull while slowly
edging the boat over is actually more difficult.  Try reaching forward with
your paddle, as if you're about to take a forward stroke.  Now fall over
sideways.  As you're falling over, rotate your torso so that your back is
on the water and look up at the sky. At the same time, sweep back with the
paddle with a climbing angle and you should drop into the water in the
right position.  Quickly change the paddle blade angle and move the paddle
back toward the bow.   Make long, slow strokes back  and forth.  Try
arching your back a bit , lay your head back and keep looking up at the
sky.   The floatation in your PFD actually makes sculling easier if  your
body in the water.  

Try to keep your elbows and wrists loose.  Remember, you're sculling with
the paddle in a high brace position so keep your elbows below your wrists.

Try adjusting the angle of the boat to that water with your hips until you
find the most stable position.  When you're ready to come up, time a sweep
of the paddle with a hip snap and come up as your finishing a roll.



>
>One of my problems is that the blade tends to dive when using the power face
>down on the water as the text books advocate. When using the power face
>upwards, sculling seems much more stable as the blade tends to automatically
>find the right planing angle. Although I still can't get right down in the
>water and maintain the brace.
>
>Can anyone tell me what are the disadvantages of breaking the rules and
>using the power face upwards during a sculling brace?
>
>All the best, PeterO
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