Went training last night with a good crew of Suppers at Currumbin creek, this was my first group training session and I was surprised at the really high stroke rate especially Jacko an Jake (Ben Dover).

From my outrigger days we used to maintain at stroke rate of 65-70 strokes a minute I'm guessing Jacko is up around high 80's and it works he was keeping up with the 16's on his 11'6.

I had to leave early so I left the pack and headed home and I concentrated on shortening my stroke an increasing the rate, it took awhile to get used to but it did increase my hull speed. I can see this BAM BAM BAM style of paddling a big advantage especially when you’re chasing runs on down winders.

Maybe this week/weekend everyone could measure there SPM (strokes per minute) and post them for a comparison.

You did well Jake , you have a big future in this sport are you coming down tomorrow arvo.

Rob

I haven't record stroke rate but I have noticed that doing big power strokes is not very effective.

During a recent upwind paddle (1km into a 20 knot wind and waves) the key was to pace gently and maintain a comfortable stroke and heart rate. Digging in just made us tired and not go much faster.

The real killer was stopping paddling. If you stopped for even a moment the other paddler would gain 10 metres and there was no way to catch up.

Also important was to keep straight arms during the power stroke and to push with the upper arm. Lots of arm bending and pulling on the lower arm was tiring.

Greg W

I have been doing alot of upwinders lately and I totally agree with what you are saying , the shorter less powerful strokes is what keeps the board moving. i found last night that it was the rating not the power that kept the board moving , if I tried to keep the power on with the high rating my forearms would just blow out.

Once you get out in the swell on a downwinder you realise pretty fast that long and strong is not the go.

Piros said...

You did well Jake , you have a big future in this sport are you coming down tomorrow arvo.

Rob

Yer i will be trying to get down

Piros,

Remember that these SUPboards weigh only 1/16th of the weight of an empty outrigger canoe.

The stoke rate had to be slower because you also add the weight of 6 guys around 90kgs to pull around the ocean for hours on end.(especially lazy steerers)

This sport is more about short, explosive bursts of paddling to catch runners and waves.

You can rate faster/slower as you see the need too.

Aloha Bro

He knows who I mean

Jake ,

How is the oldman going?

Lucky the NE winds are here for the rest of the week.

wazza66 said...
The stoke rate had to be slower because you also add the weight of 6 guys around 90kgs to pull around the ocean for hours on end.(especially lazy steerers)

Yeah thanks for that mate [}:)] at least I kept it straight

Most outrigger blades are 9-1/4 to 9-1/2 with a 7 to 9 degree offset and vary in length from 17"+ some of the older models are heaps bigger than this.Alot of the Sup blade technology obviously came from outrigger paddling along with technique and stroke rate , it's great to see all these new ultra thin and light carbon blades coming out just for Supping, I think for SUP racing and the BAM BAM BAM technique the blade head needs to be around 9" or less with a 14 degree offset with a good dihedral on the face and no longer than 16" , I also think that a longer shaft than the standard is better , but your shoulders will pay the price. This is just my opinion but I don't think its too far off the mark.

It would be great if this weekend everyone could try as many different paddles as they can and mix the stroke rates/length and post some results on Monday.

stuey c said...

Finally video of test run of the Penetrator 572(18'8")
Sorry only up on low res but you still get the picture.
Cheers Stuey.

wuduku said...

Saturday morning 10knt NE
Lets hope its a little stronger for the race, still a lot of fun

Three different types of strokes -

Piros said...

Thanks Jodie I've taken that all in , who's that paddling with Mick ,Nathan Myer or Jamie Mitchell ?

Jamie Mitchell

Not yet Sue but quiet a few people are doing the tweed race this weekend so hopefully I'll get to see some race strokes up close.