While i was out in the water today i started thinking about my paddling technique
More specifically how deep i should have my blade in the water
Is it better to aim to bury the blade in the water for the majority of the stroke or have the blade half in half out of the water
Or does it not make a difference
Interested to hear everyones opinion

www.davidkalama.com/

Stupidstupid said...

While i was out in the water today i started thinking about my paddling technique
More specifically how deep i should have my blade in the water
Is it better to aim to bury the blade in the water for the majority of the stroke or have the blade half in half out of the water
Or does it not make a difference
Interested to hear everyones opinion

i'll throw my 2 cents worth in. i've been ordinary with my paddling of late, couldn't figure out what was wrong. i finally got it back(well as good as i get) by standing up tall. when i stand tall and don't lift my bottom hand upwards to much- more of a swing with the top hand and try to flick and move the bottom hand forward. i get a lot more glide out of the board(i'm not rocking or bobbing the board), don't fatigue so readily and my body works better rather than just my arms trying to do the work. this works for me, others have different styles.

which brings me to your paddle depth. most of the blade in the water i reckon, but the lenght of the shaft is so important. at the top of the stroke with blade in the water( i like my blade to be as vertical as possible at this point), you need to be in your optimal body position for whichever is your style.

me, i need to be able to stand tall with slight body tilt forward, but still not weighted to much on the balls and toes of my feet. to much pressure on the balls and toes of your feet leads to sore, cramped fatigued feet and usually is a sign of poor paddle and body use . when i feel tired and lose it a bit i make myself try and stand tall. one of the reasons why i'm doing jacko's stairs and hill climbing tortures is so i have the strenght to be able maintain this 'stand tall' stance

anyway imo figure your best stance at the top of the stoke with pretty much all of the blade in the water and workout your best shaft lenght.

it's all a bit of a rant, but you might get something out of it
cheers

Yes, Dave's site is good.

I'm actually not completely sold on the importance of "The Reach" (for SUP). But I am now a big believer in "The Power Zone". "The Peak Power Zone" is around 2 feet in front of your toes, and finishes roughly at your toes. Yes you still get propulsion and power outside of this zone....

It can feel like you are going faster with big long powerful strokes, when in fact you will probably go faster with the shorter strokes, and a higher stroke rate in "The Peak Power Zone".

But there's still a big requirement for technique in general...

Any feedback / thoughts are welcome ??

Superman or Laird Hamilton

Good vid however it is interesting that he describes pushing forward with the top hand and then actually pushes down not forwards when actually doing the final stroke.

The Article as linked to below is written by Steve West. Steve wrote the entire Kanu Culture series with legends like Chris Maynard, Nappy Napolean etc etc which are seen as the prominent authority universally on outrigger canoeing. He is now heavily involved with SUP and coaches elite athletes in England. His technique described here is what paddling coaches here in Australia are also teaching.

Take a read of this article, I think it describes what I see the best paddlers (SUP and Canoe) are doing.

http://www.islanderpaddler.com/sup-paddling-technique/