Thursday, January 22, 2009

OC 1 Technique - Performance - How To Paddle Downwind

This is a certainly incomplete collection of thoughts related to downwind paddling. Please add a comment.( image: huki.com )




Dmehling:

"Stay "high" on the wave, don't drop straight down into the trough. The wave energy is in the wave face."

The higher you are, the more potential energy for speed you have.

Rambo observes:

  • Scout - read the ocean/anticipate route

  • Drop in - catch runner

  • Hold - maximize use of wave energy at surfing position usually top of wave or bowl section

  • Paddle - maximum thrust to attain next drop in or maintain momentum


Spend more time in the Hold position, don't waste energy paddling into the back of the wave in front, total missing the hold phase.
"Knowing when to hold ‘em and when to chase ‘em is the key to surfing runners"

Karel Jr:
Scan the water ahead of you. Build up speed in smaller bumps. Once at speed you can look for larger waves.

Try out which waves you can get on at the beginning of a run. It does not help to realize that there were waves you could have surfed on towards the end of the paddle.

John Foti describes how to handle 'speed bumps' that interrupt your flow. You have to look ahead of them and aim in the direction of the largest trough beyond the speed bump.

Hiro suggests to paddle ~ 10 strokes with your eyes closed to get a feel for the water passing under your seat. Put your hand into the water to feel the speed and to slow down of needed.

A technical tip:

Paddle calm and with confidence. Keep your reach. Make sure you have a solid catch. Go back to the basics. A good entry is as important downwind as anywhere else.

Make sure that your buttocks have solid contact with the seat until your catch is complete. Only then transfer weight unto the paddle. This will prevent the boat from squatting ( = stern down/bow up position ).

A way to improve your contact with the boat is to consciously keep your (lower) back straight.


Beginner's mistake - focusing on the bow of your boat; Look at least a few yards ahead.

Keep the ama light, fly it if you can.

'Quater' the waves to stay high longer.

Avoid steering with your rudder, try to steer by shifting your weight on the canoe.

Always paddle on the side opposite to the side you change your direction to. The yaw that your paddle induces will support your steering that way. Contrary if you paddle on the wrong side, it will counter act your maneuver.

There is no fixed stroke count per side in the waves. One or two strokes on one side may be enough before you have to change.

Don't outpaddle your wave unless you want to jump over a wave peak in front of you.

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