kayaker’s Catch
journal Power Blade Exit Repeat SKILLS BY DOUG COOPER Get High, Go Fast RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANT TO PADDLE FORWARD FASTER
Ninety-nine percent of the time you spend in your sea kayak is devoted to paddling forward. It is fair to say that this is the most important skill that we learn. It is also the skill in which you will see the greatest amount of variance between paddlers and the greatest need for improvement. The high angle forward stroke described here
is one of the most recognised forms of forward paddling technique used on the sea. I do, howev- er, encourage every paddler to develop a variety of forward paddling styles; this enables adapta- tions to be made for environmental conditions. High angle is the most efficient forward pad-
dling style. It gives you maximum speed in your sea kayak and, when done well, maximizes the use of your larger body muscle groups. How- ever, it requires good posture, balance, body rotation and appropriately conditioned muscle groups for comfortable paddling day in, day out.
Catch Phase • Body posture upright with no forward bobbing.
• Arm extended for maximum reach. • Relaxed top hand prevents wrist strain, improves circulation and reach.
• Maximum reach gained through good torso rotation.
• Paddle entering water cleanly and near vertical, like spearing a fish.
• Power put on paddle immediately.
Power Phase • Unwind rotation of body for power. • Push foot peg on the same side as paddle blade for power transfer through core muscles.
• Knees/thighs relaxed in kayak to allow power transfer.
• Paddle stays at a high angle so the blade tracks near vertically alongside the kayak.
• Paddle is held away from body throughout to maximize rotation.
• Top hand guides and pushes paddle to prepare for next catch phase and stays about level with eyes.
Blade Exit • Blade exits at or just before hip. • As blade exits it is sliced out with no scooping of water.
• Top hand is high and body is in position for final rotation for the next catch.
Final Tip Many kayakers hold their paddles too close to their bodies when performing strokes, prevent- ing full rotation and control. Pretend you have a beach ball between you and your paddle to avoid your paddle coming too close.
DOUG COOPER is the author of Sea Kayak Han- dling (Pesda Press, 2009), a manual for beginner and intermediate paddlers. A BCU Level 5 Sea and Whitewater Coach, Cooper is based in Aviemore, Scotland, where he is the Head of Paddlesports at the Scottish National Outdoor Training Centre.
PEER REVIEW
Think of torso rotation in three parts: an active phase, a passive phase and a pause. Thinking in these terms will help you avoid carrying the blade in the water beyond your hip, and help you plant the blade far enough forward. » Nigel Foster, BCU level 5 coach, St. Petersburg, FL
Rotation starts at the sit bones. Most paddlers lock their pelvis into a forward-only position during the for- ward stroke, rotating from just the belly button up. This doesn’t engage all of the core muscles. Use a slippery seat pan that allows your hips to slide when rotating. » Shawna Franklin, BCU level 4 coach, Orcas Island, WA
Doug stresses relaxed knees/thighs to allow power transfer. If you rotate left, your right knee bends to give that hip room to move forward. This creates a strong position to drive the unwinding of the body with your leg. If your legs are jammed into the thigh brac- es, you can’t use them for rotation. Don’t worry about staying upright without being wedged into the thigh braces—except for recovery situations or supporting an extreme edge, balance comes from the core and hips, not the knees. » Ginni Callahan, ACA level 5 instructor and BCU level 4 coach, Cathlamet, WA
During the catch phase, emphasize forward stroke expert and sprint coach Dan Henderson’s advice: Save the rotation. Make sure the blade is fully submerged before any body rotation begins. Too many paddlers rotate as they stab the paddle into the water, creating an air pocket that reduces power and efficiency. » Leon Sommé, BCU level 4 coach, Orcas Island, WA
Check your rotation by watching your top hand dur- ing the power phase. This hand should maintain a consistent height across your kayak, as opposed to dropping down toward your deck. » Meaghan Hen- nessy, BCU level 3 coach and Paddle Canada level 2 instructor trainer, Vancouver, BC
Read more peer reviews from leading coaches and instructors, and add your comments,
www.adventurekayakmag.com/0012.
www.adventurekayakmag.com 29
PHOTOS: DOUG COOPER
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56