So here is a question for everyone.... What makes a good paddler? Is it the guy that can go out and spank your ass in a flat water run with no wind at all? Or is it the guy that blows by you in the bumps just when you think you're getting the hang of surfing? Or perhaps its that guy that will be behind you an entire race only to walk right on by when you hit an upwind leg? Just some food for thought. Where does your motivation come from, which guy do you aspire to be? :?
Submitted by jc9_0 on Thu, 05/13/2004 - 9:23pm
Good Subject! Both flat water and surfing are important to win races but I think a master surfer is the sign of a great paddler because it takes a lot more experience and practice to really get the canoe flying through a whole run and in different conditions. You can be pretty good in flat water through just muscle power and no hulis w/out too much experience, maybe even in your first year of paddling. Doing well in the molokai requires not only being in good shape, it requires good surfing skills. The Molokai solo is "the race" and it is a surfing race except maybe for this year. A prime example of this is Mike Silva placing so high last year in the Molokai solo. I think he came in 12th place. That guy can surf. These are my thoughts. Anyone else.
#1 Fri, 05/14/2004 - 10:55pm
[quote="brudda"]Good Subject! Both flat water and surfing are important to win races but I think a master surfer is the sign of a great paddler because it takes a lot more experience and practice to really get the canoe flying through a whole run and in different conditions. [/quote]
I agree. Surfing well generally requires a great deal of time and experience out in the open ocean. You need to have a keen understanding of how the wind swells, ground swells and wind direction all have a play on your canoe and its speed. Good surfers also have the ability to vary their stroke rpms, the degree of effort and the direction of their canoe to capitalize on these elements.
#2 Mon, 05/17/2004 - 10:54am
You guys are right about making a good flat water paddler in a relatively short period of time, whereas being a good surf paddler takes experience and knowledge of the waters your paddling in. An open ocean paddler has to deal with many elements such as wind, current, surf, swells and in my opinion, that makes him a better overall paddler. In any one race, you can run into any or all of those elements and knowing how to deal with each one gives you the advantage over the paddler who is limited in open ocean experience and knowledge.
#3 Sat, 07/03/2004 - 11:42am