Paddle technique : Stroke rate, boat speed , glide...

flyriverboy

Bouncing of Tsuinami's post regarding paddle slippage, i have some queries too:
COuld anyone also give some insights into stroke rate and glide?
How much glide should we aim for vs stroke rate? (to maximise glide, we do good stroke and slow down recovery?)
And all things being equal, if we could sustain a high stroke rate, would not a higher stroke rate mean a faster boat??
Assuming the water is flat.
I believe in chops/surf, it is a different ball game (?)
thanks — from a novicepaddler!

Submitted by flyriverboy on Sat, 05/23/2009 - 6:01am

flyriverboy

www.thestoryofstuff.com
CHINEboy's reply on an earlier thread:
Fly,
I think of two principals when paddling:
Assuming OC1 paddling on the flats.
Recovery slower than power portion of stroke (About 1.5-2 :1)
Stroke rate enough to keep boat moving forward minimizing constant acceleration/deceleration (50’s to 70’s).
Above is a big range, but what I’ve observed is that much variation among paddlers of similar top speeds. Lightweight duracell men are in the 70’s and fast, heavyweight clydestales are in the 50’s and just as fast.
Probably good to make a 4-mile time-trial course and play with it, finding what fits. Do a TT at 70, 60, & 50 (or a few rounds of each to rule out variation).
I left out stroke length…that’s best for yet another thread…

#1 Sat, 05/23/2009 - 6:03am

Jim

In the oc6, for the vast majority of crews, trying to emulate the high stroke rate of the Tahitians is virtually pointless. These stroke rates are only efficient at boat speeds most crews simply aren't capable of achieving. Most crews in N. America for example, probably average between 7:20 (the best ones) and 8:00 minutes per mile in a long distance race. These speeds can be achieved w/ a stroke rate of 60 or less, in most cases. I think John Puakea said something like "boat speed, then stroke rate". You have to learn how to paddle, before you can learn how to paddle fast.

#2 Sat, 05/23/2009 - 6:33am