Re: [Paddlewise] sculling brace

In a message dated 1/8/2003 2:46:22 PM Central Standard Time, 
rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au writes:


> 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.
> 
> One of my problems is that the blade tends to dive when using the power f
> ace
> 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?
> 

A lot of good advice from those commenting on the thread. I too find the GP 
an easy sculling device. I would like to add however, that their are many 
different ways to scull: High brace, low brace, Greenland and Greenland chest 
sculling, to name those that I know.

If you would like to use your power face upward, try a low brace scull. At 
first you might want to grip the paddle shaft in or around the center and 
your off hand grabs the blade. Keep the off hand gripping the blade over your 
spray deck or even extended into the water beyond that. Make certain your 
shaft is parallel to the water surface. A raised inboard hand will cause your 
blade to dive. Scull down while simultaneously driving your knee upward, 
preventing the boat from coming over on top of you. Roll your wrists 
appropriate to keeping a smooth climbing angle (someone mentioned peanut 
butter spreading on soft bread). Drop down gradually until your elbow is wet 
and the spray deck has 50% immersion. When you wish to return upright drive 
your knee up, sweep and keep head down.

You can adopt the same profile with the paddle power face down, and I think 
it's easier to feel the lift of an appropriate climbing angle. Have fun with 
it, scull down smoothly, kiss the water and scull back up smoothly. Or, Scull 
for 10 seconds at your maximum downward reach until you can do it for as long 
as you feel like. Then try, scull down til your head lies in the water, drop 
under the boat and scull up to the other side, stopping as you break the 
surface for a few seconds, sweep up. Finally, scull while totally immersed, 
then scull under the boat, break the surface on the other side, drop back 
under and scull to the other side, lather, rinse, repeat. 

Gradually, as you improve, try to adopt a standard grip on your paddle. Learn 
one method and move to another. I prefer the Greenland method where the back 
is arched and flat to the water, the paddle parallel to the boat. 
Incidentally, this method is easy with a euro blade gripped in the standard 
manner with no extension. It doesn't have to be GP. 

Cheers,

Rob G

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