LIP GRIPPER COOL RUNNINGS BOAT RAMP BLUNDERS
Returning from a triumphant day on the water, you want to look smooth when you hit the launch ramp. Instead you charge bow first into the concrete, grind to a halt, teeter on your keel, and flop over into the water. Not cool. The reverse sweep stroke could have saved the day.
1 2
3
A few feet from the ramp, rotate at the waist to turn the paddle face parallel to the kayak.
Insert the rear blade into the water behind your hip then untwist your torso to sweep the paddle out and towards the bow.
The boat will turn sideways and slide to shore. Then step out on the dry side and take a bow.
SKIL LS | RIGGING | SCHOOLED | LOCALS ONLY | TACTICS
Learn these paddle moves to look good on the water [S K I LLS]
Don’t be that guy who scrapes and bangs into the launch. Or that guy who splashes and slashes to make a turn. What? You’re that guy? Read below. JEFF HERMAN
NO RUDDER, NO CRY
Making a course adjustment with a reverse stroke kills for- ward momentum, wastes en- ergy and breaks the paddler’s cadence. For a smooth turn that looks cool, use the bow rudder stroke.
1
While paddling for- ward, insert the paddle
blade like a forward stroke except turn the blade par- allel to the kayak. This is called the neutral position.
2
To steer, roll back your lower wrist to open the blade angle slightly and cause the boat to turn toward the paddle. Always look in the direction you want the kayak to go.
3
Keep your upper arm bent 90 degrees at the elbow and the forearm even with your eyes. This poises your upper arm to compensate for water pushing against the blade. When the boat is heading in the right direction, tran- sition the blade angle into a forward stroke to contin- ue paddling. This is a great stroke to make slight ad- justments while paddling forward, but it also works well when I’m fishing in current or wind. I can use the bow rudder to keep my boat facing into the tide or wind without changing my position.
Jeff Herman is a Jackson Kayak, Werner Paddles, and Railblaza pro staffer and an ACA certified instructor.
www.kayakanglermag.com … 21
PHOTOS JEFF HERMAN
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 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84