Back to Basics: Paddling Technique

August-September 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Kevin Mansell

Kevin Mansell, a top British instructor, offers his thoughts on good paddling technique to novices and experienced paddlers in this and future issues of Wave-Length.

FORWARD PADDLING

Good paddling requires adapting to changing conditions.

The acquisition of efficient forward paddling with minimum effort is essential for sea kayaking. Sea kayakers need to acquire a good working model and then learn to modify it in the light of changing conditions.

Forward paddling is one of the easiest strokes on which to receive feedback- if you are moving forward then you have got something right! But what happens when conditions deteriorate, a storm approaches, tidal currents increase, or you are towing an injured paddler? Have you the reserves necessary to reach a position of safety?

The Basics:

The paddle should be gripped loosely with hands slightly more than shoulder width apart and equal distance in from each end of the shaft. It is important to have a relaxed grip. Many beginners hold the paddle too tightly - the white knuckle approach! Keeping a relaxed grip on the paddle will help to reduce the possibility of injuries such as tendonitis.

The blade should enter the water as far forward as is comfortable - for most people that is somewhere near the feet.

When the blade enters the water, the bottom arm should be straight. The blade should then travel through the water as close as possible to the kayak (without banging your fingers against the side of the deck.) The accepted style in certain areas is for the paddle to travel wide from the kayak, but in reality this means you are being propelled forward by a series of sweep strokes - not the most efficient method.

There is a mystical technique referred to as "upper body rotation". The aim is to be able to utilize the large muscle groups in the back as well as the arms in order to reduce fatigue. It is a technique which is difficult to explain but relatively easy to experience. Move your hands outward along the shaft until your arms are at maximum stretch. Lock them in that position and paddle forward with straight arms, aiming for the blade to enter the water close to the feet. That feeling is "upper body rotation". Now move your hands back into their normal position and try to reproduce that feeling. The blade should now be entering the water cleanly, close to your feet and travelling rearward close to the sides of the kayak.

The next item to consider is where the blade should exit the water in relation to the body. Many sea paddlers adopt a long stroke with the blade moving well past the trunk. If you watch the blade as it moves past the body you will see you are starting to lift water with the blade which is wasting energy. Aim for the blade to leave the water somewhere near your hips.

There is no one method of forward paddling which will work in all situations so be aware of the coach who is too prescriptive when it comes to paddling technique. The ability to modify paddling is a skill which evolves with practice and experience.

BODY POSITION

Sitting correctly in the kayak is essential far good technique to develop. Many beginners and some experienced paddlers like to lean back against the cockpit rim, a relaxed style reminiscent of a person sitting in an armchair. But an upright posture is fundamental to good forward paddling. Knees should be braced under the deck and the balls of the feet should be in contact with the footrest.

One problem in paddling a kayak with a rudder is that it is virtually impossible to lock the footrest into position, so that a firm contact can be produced. Without this firm contact with the feet it is not possible to produce maximum power. (see Visits Round the Industry for a solution to the pedal problem!)

Many paddlers also use a back rest to provide support for the lower back, but beware of large plastic ones which are provided by some manufacturers, as they inhibit movement, particularly when rolling.

Many paddlers ignore what is below the spray deck when it comes to technique but it is a very important area to consider. Try paddling forward at almost maximum speed and notice what your feet are doing. You should be pushing with one foot on the same side as your blade is travelling through the water, giving extra strength to your stroke. Often while in relatively calm water, the feet are not used, but when the extra power is required, it is important to know how to bring them into play

These considerations ensure you will be using many of the main muscle groups in the body, not just the arms. Of course there will be times when this basic technique will need to be modified. There are also other factors which come into play, like cadence.

CADENCE

Cyclists spend a lot of time considering the speed at which the pedals should be turning. In terms of paddling we would call this stroke rate. What follows is based purely on personal observations but I have found it to hold true in the majority of situations.

I have found that most people paddle forward at a rate of between 135 and 145 full paddle strokes every 5 minutes (for counting purposes, one full stroke consists of both left and right sides). There are many variables to take into account such as paddle length, body size, wind strength, sea conditions, speed through the water, etc., but I have found that a large number of paddlers' stroke rates fit into that frame. I have undertaken the exercise with paddlers in several different countries, some very experienced and others relative novices, using differing equipment in different weather conditions, but the results are usually the same.

At least it's a starting point when somebody says "How fast should my stroke rate be?"

DIFFERENT GEARS

It is useful to compare forward paddling to driving a car with a manual gear shift. Drivers use the gears to gain optimum performance from the car in terms of acceleration and cruising over a long distance. When the need arises, say to overtake another car, it is possible to drop down a gear to produce greater acceleration. Most modern cars use fifth gear when cruising at high speed.

But many paddlers lack the equivalent of a range of gears. Most cruising takes place in the equivalent of third gear, which is generally inefficient. Essential considerations such as body and blade positions are often forgotten. Most of the time this may not matter, except for the fact that it results in a greater expenditure of energy than may actually be necessary.

There are times though, when it is necessary to be able to vary the scope of forward paddling. One example is when having to cope with moving water - to make progress it may be necessary to paddle hard against the flow, using short bursts of power. Head winds produce a similar effect and can last for a much longer period of time. A third example is when a tow is necessary. The added weight of the paddler and kayak can dramatically increase the power required.

POWER BUILDING EXERCISE

Here is one exercise which can be used to develop power. Line a group up abreast of each other and paddle forward gently. At a given signal, paddle as hard as possible for 30 strokes. As people reach the target they shout out " 30". Regroup and repeat the exercise with 25 strokes, then 20 and 15. Finish the sequence with one last repetition of 30. This cycle could be repeated as required.

If a longer training session is required and it is necessary to keep the group close together, the group should paddle forward in a single file line. At a given signal the rear person has to paddle furiously to the front of the line, at which point the one who is last follows suit. An alternative is for a strong paddler to fix a tow line to a weaker paddler. They both paddle forward and the aim is for the person towing to get the tow line taut, whereas the weaker paddler has to try and keep the tow rope slack. Experience has shown that the towed paddler will almost invariably triumph.

BLIND PADDLING EXERCISE

Ideally it should be possible to perform all paddle strokes on feel alone. If the kayak is fitted properly, the paddler should be receiving information through senses other than the visual. For example cyclists interpret information they are receiving, to stay upright. If they can see that they are going to fall off it is generally too late to do anything about it! As paddlers we should be aiming to have this feel of what the kayak is doing and be able to respond instinctively. One way to develop this is to paddle with your eyes shut. This routine is not the preserve of the more experienced paddler. I have used this exercise with novices their first session on the water and it has proven very beneficial.

Take care that lookouts are posted, to prevent one blindfolded paddler impaling another or disappearing over the horizon. To maintain directional control it is possible to use indicators such as the feel of the sun on the face, wind blowing, (the backs of the ears are very sensitive to the wind), swell pattern and noise. The added advantage of blind paddling is that it helps on night paddles or on foggy days. Try to maintain the course with the feel of the wind on the face and it won't be necessary to check the compass so frequently, something which will help to prevent seasickness developing.

Kevin Mansell is Chairman of the Jersey Canoe Club to England. He has barn kayaking for 29 years and is a Level 5 British Canoe Union Coach. His extensive paddling experience includes the British Isles, France, Denmark, Greenland, Canada, USA, and Malaysia, but he considers his main claim to fame, his collection of 500 paddling books.