Re: [Paddlewise] Skills

From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 09:00:44 -0700
On 4/2/07, James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm> wrote:

> I don't think any training course should ignore the body and the skills
> of paddle use....


The television program "Me versus Me" had a segment last week featuring a
young female w/w paddler with 19 years experience (she started young) but
who needed some skill sharpening to move her into Class 4 water. They paired
her with Eric Jackson who started with paddle strokes.

This young lady was good enough to do a hand roll in the pool so her years
on the water were not for nothing, but Eric Jackson's paddle strokes were
nothing short of awesome. And her progress using his techniques was
impressive.

One clip in particular that showed him ferrying across a fast-moving stream
with a series of forward strokes and draw strokes was incredible to watch He
made it look so easy that when his student tried the same ferry she (with a
lot of experience) looked like a beginner.

One of Jackson's quotes was that most paddlers do not use their paddles as
well as they should. I have to agree. I always thought I was pretty good
with my paddles after so many years of canoing and kayaking but watching
Jackson perform that ferry was an eye opening experience for me.

So I have to agree with Jim. The techniques of paddling seem so simple until
you see a virtuoso in action and realize just how much you don't understand.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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Received on Mon Apr 02 2007 - 09:00:52 PDT

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