kayaker’s


journal TECHNIQUE BY SERGE SAVARD


Reaching Out W


LEVERAGE YOUR SKILLS BY MOVING YOUR HANDS ON YOUR PADDLE


hen I first saw a Greenland pad- dle I thought that such a tiny stick


would only stir bubbles in the water. Ten in 1999 during the St. Lawrence crossing race, I hosted the famous Greenland paddler Ma- ligiaq Padilla in Quebec. Tis talented young man introduced me to the wonders of this tra- ditional paddling tool. Te Greenland paddle is handled by the


tip while keeping the other hand in the centre, forming an elongated lever. Although I still pre- fer to use a wide, European-style carbon paddle, this leverage effect instantly made a lot of sense


as a way to gain efficiency. I started to practice moving my hands along the shaft of my con- ventional paddle until it became a reflex. I can now rely on a good extended grip


and take advantage of the simple physics of a lever while sweeping to turn my kayak in strong wind. On one long crossing I used an extended


paddle grip for a couple of hours to beat a strong side wind. Te same technique can be used to stay on course if a skeg or rudder fails. I also use an extended paddle when surfing to get a stronger rudder. Sometimes I apply an


26 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SPRING 2008


PHOTO: MARTIN LORTZ


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52