Ok, let me start out by saying I have great respect for the true watermen (and women) on OC1s. I’m only an intermediate paddler and want to share what I have learned so far and ask others to add to this discussion.
Tips for beginners:
Take a clinic if you can – you will learn more in 3 hours than you will on your own in six months.
As you insert the paddle blade in the water (the catch):
-Is the face of the blade at 90 degrees to left and right (not fore and aft) of the hull or are you inserting the blade in the water at an angle (left or right)?
-Is the shaft near vertical?
-Is the blade as close to the canoe as possible?
-Make sure the paddle blade is fully inserted in the water before you begin to pull back.
A good paddle stroke is usually a quiet stoke.
When you paddle, is it all arms/shoulders or are you rotating your core as well?
Are you leaning too far forward? This can constrict your breathing.
Are you using the paddle when on the non-ama side as a brace when needed? If getting light on the ama (ready to huli) be ready to press down on the water with the face of the blade as you are bringing the paddle to the front during your stroke.
Ok, let me start out by saying I have great respect for the true watermen (and women) on OC1s. I’m only an intermediate paddler and want to share what I have learned so far and ask others to add to this discussion.
Tips for beginners:
Take a clinic if you can – you will learn more in 3 hours than you will on your own in six months.
As you insert the paddle blade in the water (the catch):
-Is the face of the blade at 90 degrees to left and right (not fore and aft) of the hull or are you inserting the blade in the water at an angle (left or right)?
-Is the shaft near vertical?
-Is the blade as close to the canoe as possible?
-Make sure the paddle blade is fully inserted in the water before you begin to pull back.
A good paddle stroke is usually a quiet stoke.
When you paddle, is it all arms/shoulders or are you rotating your core as well?
Are you leaning too far forward? This can constrict your breathing.
Are you using the paddle when on the non-ama side as a brace when needed? If getting light on the ama (ready to huli) be ready to press down on the water with the face of the blade as you are bringing the paddle to the front during your stroke.
I hope others will add to this....happy paddling!
Submitted by Jupiterpaddler on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 5:11am