I'm surprised I've never seen a discussion of stroke rates on this board.
It has been my observation with OC-6s you have to maintain a rate in the 60's or better to be competitive for a race of 10 miles or better.
My guess is the rate for OC-1 is even higher.
Anyone have other standards they look to?
Are there trade-offs?
Submitted by YankeeHookele on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 5:41am
I do between 60 and 70 SPM while racing .
But don
t listen to me , Im just a humble carpenter way out here on the frozen coast of Maine with a paddling habit...#1 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 5:58am
60 's good for me, on the flat, which is all the time here. but season's coming fast.
#2 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 7:10am
You're a brave man, YankeeHookele I've wanted to ask the question, but could almost predict the ribbing I'd get on this site.
There was a time they were talking about a lower stroke rate being just as effective. I remember one of our top teams referring to an OC-6 passing them in Catalina. The team passing was under-rating the crew by quite a bit. Lots of glide, very smooth, big, long strokes. The rate was estimated to be in the 50's.
I like the concept of a bigger, longer stroke with a "lower" stroke rate. By long, I mean long up front, still maintaining an efficient exit. Not slowing the boat down on the back half of the stroke.
In an OC-1 I try to vary my rate a bit ("a change of rate is as good as a rest"?). I paddle mostly flat water (unfortunately) but I think there is opportunity to go faster by adjusting your rate (maybe it's just the re-focussing that makes you faster) .
Of course, the Tahitians have changed all that with their high rate. I think that high a rate is only achievable by super-humans.
Thanks for being brave enough to ask the question.
#3 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 7:49am
I dont think there is an answer for the as far as OC-1 is concerned. The rate is always going to change depending on your conditions. In the surf it will go from not paddling at all while on a wave to 100 spm trying to catch a wave. I would be interested to see what some of the average stroke rates are for some of the flatter races for sure but I think someone who is competitive is going to adjust their stroke rate to the conditions.
#4 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 12:09pm
Kahuna
You don't have to be fearless around here, just realize that the first ten or so posts are the worthwhile ones. After that all posts degenerate into ad hominem attacks and inside joke jibberish.
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#5 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 2:01pm
To reach those very high boat speeds that Shell does, that high stroke rate is necessary. Like Kahuna said, it may not be practical for mere mortals. If you look at the footage of Shell, you'll notice that they also maintain perfect technique and timing at those high rates. IMO, for oc-6, get timing and technique perfect at a lower stroke rate, and when boat speed increases, increase stroke rate. Most crews in N. America, even relatively good ones, are in that 7:30-8:00 minutes per mile boat speed range. At these speeds, a stroke rate much above 60 is pointless. These speeds should be easy to maintain at a low stroke rate, especially if timing etc. is good.
#6 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 2:05pm
I was hoping to hear more feedback on the oc1 side of this.
#7 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 2:15pm
To each his own on oc1. Plenty of the top guys in Hawaii have a pretty low stroke rate, but like you said it varies. Check out the footage of Mael Carey (I think that's him) next to the Tahitians in the Con 3 race.
#8 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 2:27pm
Yeah, don't it just kill you paddling and yanking your heart out, when some cool paddler with a slow stroke passes you by. And she's not even on a wave.
#9 Fri, 03/06/2009 - 9:55pm