INSIDE OUT BY TIM SHUFF The
our paddling muscles to the gym or rest them on the sofa until spring. A kayak ergometer lets us in on a training secret that rowers have known for a long time: a sport-specific work- out that you can do at home year-round. Last winter we test paddled the Vasa Er-
Ergometer A
gometer. Te Vasa is a high-calibre training tool originally designed for swimmers. Te core of the unit is a flywheel fan that provides a smooth, steady and adjustable resistance. Two cords attach the flywheel, via pulleys
on the top of the machine, to either end of a kayak paddle shaft. Te paddler sits on a bench mounted on a monorail extending from the power unit. Paddling the Vasa feels almost exactly like
kayaking, minus the boat movement. You get the full range of arm motion and torso rotation of a natural paddle stroke. Te main difference is the feel of the catch, which is slightly more abrupt on the erg. Also, the pulling arm feels less stable in the air attached to a cord than it does in water. Te machine has no way to know if you’re cheating on the blade angle, so it’s important to practice good form. In at the toes, out at the hips. Te aluminum paddle shaft that comes with
the Vasa is one feature that cries out for modi- fication. Anyone serious enough to purchase a kayak erg is going to be used to the warm and lively feel of a high-end paddle. It would also be nice to play with different paddle lengths to more closely approximate the on-water feel. So we’d like to see this machine paired with a vari- able-length carbon fibre shaft—an easy DIY fix. A drawback for those with small living quar-
ters is the 10-foot space requirement. Vasa of- fers a compact version, sans monorail, that’s just a wall-mounted power unit. It’s significantly less expensive, but you provide the bench. Built in Vermont to the demanding stan-
dards of swim teams, health clubs and clinics, the Vasa Erg promises long-term performance with minimal maintenance. It includes a life- time warranty and great customer service. For anyone serious about expedition prepa-
ration or race performance, the Vasa Erg is not just for off-season training. It’s a way to im- prove technique and put in daily training hours year-round. Plus, it’ll toughen up more than just your
muscles. I walked away from my first couple workouts with two handfuls of blisters, a sure reminder that I hadn’t been paddling enough. Tat’s almost too realistic.
VARIABLE RESISTANCE Resistance can be increased by open- ing the vent to allow more airflow. Seven settings simulate anything from an easy downstream run to a tough slog against the wind with a fully loaded touring kayak.
BENCH SEATING The versatile padded bench slides on the aluminum monorail for swim workouts and locks out for paddling. Vasa now of- fers an optional K1 Racing Seat, a bucket seat for a more realistic kayak feel.
ELECTRONIC MONITOR In the absence of scenery, stay moti- vated with statistics. The VM monitor measures time, distance, and stroke rate.
BY VASA
s fall gels into winter, most of us in north- ern latitudes garage our kayaks and take
length .......................8 ft 6 in (259 cm) width .........................28 in (71 cm) height ....................... 32 in (81 cm) space required ........10 x 4 ft (305 x 122 cm) price.......................... $1,999 US
www.vasatrainer.com
www.adventurekayakmag.com 29
PHOTOS: MAIN VICTORIA BOWMAN // INSETS TIM SHUFF
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