I shot a couple of Too Busy’s Tech Tips last summer about picking a paddle and paddling technique. In the past year I’ve answered a ton of questions about it and this past Saturday decided to take advantage of a nice run in shallow water to shoot a supplementary vid. Nothing beats seeing your paddling for to tell where your weaknesses are.
http://youtu.be/QXI3M2N0AdQ
Yes, I know I’m not wearing my PFD, I’ll explain. First, I was in the shallow part of the Wando right there. Second, I shot this both with and without the PFD on. You couldn’t see my body rotation (however small) with the PFD on.
Anyway, here’s the vid. It’s only 47 seconds out of your life, so give me some ■■■■■■■■ please.
I noticed 3 things right off the bat. I’m still favoring my shoulder a little and my release is a little late.
Most importantly is that I was haulin boogie in the Tarpon 160. I didn’t pay attention to my cruising speed, but it’s really evident in the vid.
That’s my normal “cruising pace” of about 42-46 strokes per minute. I bump it up to 60 in get up and go mode.
again, ■■■■■■■■ please. I know we’ve got some expert paddlers on here.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
I have a question for you - I’m hitting my hands on the kayak and/or side-handles occasionally when I paddle. I am in a Ride 135, and using a 240 cm paddle. Could it be a hand-spacing issue? Do I need to adjust that due to a wider kayak?
–elgeebee–
WS Ride 135
Vids like this should be helpful to everybody. I’m no expert and have never had stroke lessons but I’ve paddled for some years and I’m sure my technique could use refining. Tommy I think it looks like you’re paddling British Canoe Union (BCU) style with the paddle at a higher angle to the water. It’s a little hard to tell in the vid just how high your hands are in relation to your shoulder.
I find I’m usually paddling American Canoe Assn. (ACA) style which keeps the paddle angle lower to the water. I think I favor ACA because I find it easier to use my torso. Possibly also because I think I get less drip blown back on me with ACA and probably I’m just not very good at BCU.
elgeebee, do you know which way you tend to paddle? The ACA style might help with your hands hitting the boat and it usually is done with a longer paddle. Unless you’re very tall, 140cm is probably long enough.
Most of the fishing kayaks are relatively wide. All of my kayaks are 28" or less width except for the Hobie peddle boat which is 33". I can paddle that one and don’t remember hitting the sides but I’ve not had it long and don’t use the paddle with it often. I’m 6’ tall and my favorite paddle is a Werner that’s 134cm (but as I said, I usually paddle narrower boats).
This is a vid from Werner showing the difference between the two styles (and slipping in some advertising):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN7MaI38_NI&feature=related
I have very limited knowledge but that sure looked smooth. I find anything you post beneficial as a newbie as I am constantly trying to soak up tips, etc… Keep them coming and thanks!
elgeebee - take a look at the 2 other vids on my youtube channel… pick a paddle and paddling technique. I’m just guessing, but you’re probably paddling low angle with a narrow grip. That can cause you to rock a bit and puts your hands closer to the gunwales.
localhero - you nailed it. I’ve been a high angle paddler (BCU style) for years. The camera is mounted high, so you can’t tell, but my hands are roughly shoulder.height on the oush and mid ribcage on he pull. When I go into power pode the pull had drops to near hip level and I’ll occasionally bump the boat on the relase.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
nice video- should be helpful.
how did you mount the go pro for that angle?
Ronald Reagan warned thirty years ago, when the “Reagan Revolution” temporarily restored our nation’s course toward Liberty, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.”
I just got my two cool new camera mounts from YakAttack gear this past week. I’ve got the GoPro on a YakAttack PanFish camera mount on a Scotty base where my Sotty triple tree normally goes.
For the Doublin Up video I use the PanFish on a Scotty base behind my right shoulder
For the re-entry practice video I use the short PanFish Portrait on the Scotty up front.
you can see the whole line up of goodies at http://www.yakattack.us/
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com