[Paddlewise] Some basic questions for a (re)-beginner

Dave asked (snip):
>Having been a pretty avid white-water and coastal kayaker as a teenager...I
have recently purchased a Perception Acadia Expedition...Anyway, over the
last few weeks I've gotten myself to the stage where I'm managing paddles of
about two to three hours, but I'm then finding myself running into a brick
wall in the energy stakes...was wondering if you could point me to a website
(perhaps) that explains the most efficient (and least taxing!) style of
stroke.  I'm using what I would call a fairly vertical sort of style
(lifting the "dry" paddle high in the air and over towards the centreline)
which seems to give me more thrust from the blade in the water, but this is
fairly physical sort of stroke...<

Dave,
Can't remember if you got much of a direct reply to this; I placed your
question in my drafts and waited for other more informed replies  -- then
forgot it.

I'd recommend the last issue of Sea Kayaker magazine (August 2003) which had
a fairly comprehensive overview of the forward stroke from three different
perspectives. Get it while it is still on the newsstands.

To me, a good stroke has three basic elements: Torso Rotation, Reach, and
co-ordination -- the latter being merely the smooth combination of the
previous two. Whitewater literature often breaks down the paddle stroke into
three phases: the entry, the power phase, and the recovery. By breaking the
stroke down into four separate phases, an efficient stroke can be thought
through easier. The four phases are: The Catch, The Pull, The Exit, and The
Recovery. Depending on paddle length, the catch is simply when the power
face of the blade first digs into the water. Placement into the surface of
the water should be right in-line about where your footrest is located. I
prefer a little more forward if I'm hell-bent, and even further if I'm
running from Lucifer (or just training, doing rest and recovery "laps.").
Blade angle should be as perpendicular to the center-line of the boat as
possible.

The real forward movement comes from proper pulling power using as many
muscle groups as you can. To do this correctly, there has to be torso
rotation (from hips), a steady pull of the arm (but not overdoing it on the
biceps which isn't efficient), and some leg extension. Good foot bracing is
a must for the latter. An efficient exit starts just before the hips. I tend
to release the blade a bit too late, but that's just the way I'm geared or
perhaps the fact that I've found a good glide is easier to maintain with
continuous momentum which a late exit promotes if done well (and one isn't
geared for the vertical stroke). Just use a bit of sideways motion as you
exit with the lead edge of the paddle blade so as not to lift water. The
recovery is at the horizontal point and I tend to make a fairly snappy move
to the other side (though nothing like the racers, who amaze me with their
high-stroke rate and just plain high, vertical stroke.

I learned to paddle with a longer shaft/overall paddle length, big blades,
low open-water style. Efficient or not, it works fine for me. If and when I
want, I can revert to a more vertical stroke, but can't maintain it
indefinitely. As for nutrition, that's a good question. Duane Stoker who
does long crossings is a carb-man. I'd tend to agree. Hydration is the
biggest issue for me. My "paddling-machine" can't run on dry.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC



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