Re: [Paddlewise] deep brace?

On 30 Jul 2004 at 9:14, Jerry F wrote:

> It happens that I have been practicing 'deep braces' lateley,  with my
> head hitting the water before bracing up.  I find this maneuver more
> difficult than a roll and I fail to come up about every half dozen
> times, and am forced to roll.  Not sure why the deep brace fails since
> my roll is extremely reliable.  Also, bracing back up from a 'deep
> brace' requires much more muscle than coming up after my roll.  Again
> I am not sure why.

Further to Steve's comments, I'd say that you are approaching the 
brace a little differently than a roll.  In fact, you should consider 
them quite similar.  

One technique that some use is to rotate the torso at the last moment 
so the back hits the water, not just one shoulder.  This will help 
prevent your body from sinking as much.  The brace can be done in 
conjunction with sliding the body up to the rear deck - not a full 
layback necessarily, but something to reduce your inertia.  I know 
that some folks also do this with a partial sweep - from 
perpendicular to the kayak toward the stern.  This partial sweep is 
like finishing a sweep roll and will have the effect of reducing the 
likelyhood of the paddle submerging as it does in a C-C type of 
recovery.  It goes without saying that you need good hip rotation and 
your head is the last up.

If you're comfortable with a C-C and a forward recovery, treat the 
deep brace as the same as the completion of a roll.  In this case, 
hitting the water with your back will not be useful, since your 
recovery will need a full torso rotation to get to the fore deck.  

You could try twisting face down at the last moment instead and 
completing the brace like what Hutchinson calls a headstand roll.  
Don't do this in a rock garden, however.

Mike
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************