Forward Stroke Tip

My son, David, and I were recently paddling on the Hiwassee River, a lazy class II white water river in North Carolina. During our downstream adventure I noticed he had developed a bad and lazy habit. As a result, his forward stroke had lost tremendous power. He was lucky, being a young and very strong fellow, and on a lazy river, it had worked out for him. Here's what he had done. He had let his forward stroke become lazy. He did not extend his upper arm properly before, nor during the catch phase of the stroke. He had started each power phase of the stroke with his upper arm bent. Eegads! Can you imagine such a faupaux? His upper arm was supposed to be straight or nearly straight before he applied force in his forward stroke. But, it wasn't anywhere near straight. It was bent to less than 45 degrees. This resulted in the paddle face pointing down instead of back at the start of the power phase. He had lost a tremendous amount of his power and force. Thank goodness we caught it before he tried to do something that needed real power, much less the wasted energy he expended during each stroke. Upon seeing this I called a family council meeting. Neither of us got voted off the island, but I did share my observation with him. And, he immediately started working on it. So, if you have fallen into this habit, like David, and are not extending your upper arm before or during the catch phase of your forward stroke, stick it out there dude, and reap the benefits yourself. Update: David and I recently paddled the Nantahala, another easy Class II river, but not lazy at all. He had worked on extending his upper arm during the catch phase of his forward stroke and improved enormously. Now he had the power to move his kayak against the fairly fast current of this river. His ferry glides had become effortless. He powered his way boofing over rocks. And he powered his way through a hole that had been grabbing him lately.

Rolling Tip

If you are having trouble with your Eskimo roll, pay attention to your set up. Get it right and the rest may follow well. Screw up the set up and the likelihood of a successful roll goes down tremendously.

I had a rolling class last week that reminded me of several rolling students I've had over the years. These students find it very difficult to get set up for a successful roll. By set up I mean getting into position for the rolling maneuver to proceed. Below you will find: a description of the most commonly taught set up position, and some tips to nail it perfectly every time.

The Set Up Position

There is some variation from coach to coach. But, for most types of rolling, while upside down, one must get both hands to one side of ones kayak with hands extended toward the sky. This is the same position that when done right side up, has one reaching down toward the bottom of the water you are in.

Tips:
• While learning, start right side up and get into the set up position. It is a good idea to have someone else hold your kayak as you learn this. When properly done, your weight will carry you over into the water. So, to start, have someone hold the boat.
• Notice how your forearms are touching the side of your kayak. Memorize that feeling.
• When set up properly, memorize how this feels. In your mind, break your position down into how various parts of your body feel. Here is what I notice when I am set up well. I notice a significant twisting to the side. I notice leaning far forward as well. And, when actually rolling, I can also feel the air as my hands are well clear of the water after I’ve rolled all the way over. I notice a strain as I reach for the sky. (It is a strain because I don’t stretch as often as I could.)
• Remember, while learning you should start out, right side up, exactly in the set up position. As you tip over into the water, maintain your exact position. Lock ALL of your muscles into this position. Again, notice exactly how your forearms feel touching the side of your kayak. Make sure your forearms stay in that same touching position. This ensures that your set up will be perfect after you have capsized while learning. By staying in this position you won’t have to figure anything out when upside down under water.
• Now you will be upside down. To make sure everything is good, stretch even further to the side and toward the sky. You are now ready to perform most rolls.

Problems:
• Some students refuse to keep their arms in contact with the kayak. To tip over, they lean to the side reaching out with their paddle to the sky. Some even exaggerate it with a lurch. This just makes things harder. Now they need to get back into the set up position.
• Some students relax as they tip over. They end up upside down, facing forward, with one hand on each side of the boat, as if they were just resting in their kayak. Now they have to get back into the set up position.
• Some students get disoriented when upside down. That is only a problem when they neither stayed in the set up position, nor memorized the feeling of a good set up. Memorize that feeling while right side up. Doing this will pay dividends down the road.
• If you lose the proper position, which is more likely when you are knocked over while paddling, kick in that memorized feeling. Remember it, then get into that position. It really is that easy. If you were weightless like an astronaut, and had no idea which direction was up, could you get into position to tie your shoe? Of course you could. You know that position. You could do it without your eyesight and without your hearing. You just know how to bend that way and how it feels. Learn that feeling when in a good set up position. That is all it takes to get back into a good set up position.