Aerial Moves no.4 Pan Ams P
an Ams are a dynamic and spectacular freestyle move combining a Blunt and Donkey
Flip.They evolved from huge Blunts with so much air the boat kept rotating before land-
ing.You could say a Pan Am is a blunt so big you land not just facing backwards, but side- ways or even facing upstream again. This is achieved by rotating over your edge like a Donkey Flip (or a sideways pirouette) while you’re blunting. Clean Pan Ams can add an extra bit of fun to the day and may even be easier;by not using your big backstroke you are forced to really throw your boat up and over your edge making the rotation happen more easily.
Step 1.
Position the boat at the top of the wave pointing directly upstream. To generate speed keep your weight forward and take a big forward stroke on the side opposite the direction you are blunting. In this case I’ve taken my forward stroke on my left to help in the edge transition to blunt right.
Step 2. To get your boat to release from the water, initi- ate your bounce then quickly throw your weight back and in the direction you’re blunting. Start your Pan Am before you’re even off the wave by pulling your boat up and onto edge as you lift off the water.
Step 3.
Plant a hard braking backstroke or blunt stroke that you will use like a pivot. Look hard over your leading shoulder (in this case to the right) to start the boat’s long axis or pirouette-like rotation.
Step 4. Step 1 Step 2
As you feel your boat coming through vertical, push off your paddle to keep your momentum moving up. Push your heels down hard to start your over vertical move. Start to spot your land- ing; head direction will help you finish the move.
Step 5. From here gravity will help you out. Once you have rotated so you’re looking straight at the water, bring your paddle along side your boat and get ready to plant your blade (in this case my left) in a backstroke to help you finish the move and stay on the wave. You should have rotated 360 degrees along your long axis and anywhere between 270 and 360 degrees along your short axis landing on the same edge that you took off from.
Tips Getting as much speed as possible helps you get more air. A good bounce is funda-
mental to all aerial moves and can make a mediocre wave much more fun.
Step 3
Work on getting your blunts way over verti- cal.
Remember that your starting rotation is much like a Donkey Flip, you’re coming up and over your edge hard and rolling lateral- ly WHILE you’re going vertical.
Thinking about landing on the same edge you launched from will help you get the rota- tion you need to finish the move. Pan Ams must rotate 360 degrees, taking off and landing on the same edge.
Don't be afraid to get wet. Throw yourself over that edge, good things will happen.
Step 4 36
www.rapidmag.com Step 5 —Patrick Camblin paddles for Liquidlogic Kayaks.
by Patrick Camblin photos by Scott MacGregor
Paddler: Patrick Camblin. Feature: Big Smoothy at Lower Noname on the Ottawa River
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