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PADDLING FOR SUPPORT . PADDLER DEVAN CRAWFORD . PHOTO : JIM MILLER
LOW BRACE SURFING . PADDLER JIM MILLER . PHOTO : JIM GIBSON & GILL BERROW injury as the shoulders are already in an extended position by reaching far around behind you , so if you hit a rock with the paddle , there is no give in your body . As such , this is only acceptable in two instances ( in the author ’ s opinion ) when you categorically cannot risk falling off , i . e . the chance for injury or worse is horrific , like paddling in Grade 5 , or if you categorically know it is deep behind you - the only real time this is very likely is surfing waves as it is usually a deep pool behind a foam pile ( although not always !). So we recommend you don ’ t use this stroke unless you really have to .
Paddling for support
All three of the above options mean we are going at the pace of the water or slower than the water . This is the alternative option whereby we go quicker than the water . In many respects , it is a preferred option for support . This is very easy - we maintain an active paddling stroke throughout the rapid - whenever our paddle is in the water by any means , we naturally have an extra point of connection , which assists with our balance and support . It means that we are constantly in control of the direction of our board and can drive through features like small waves / stoppers . Once we get to bigger features , to be fair , it becomes a combination of many different things , but this is still our standard method of support for more experienced paddlers .
Overall , we have four main support strokes , but only three can be safely used in most normal circumstances . The author recommends playing with each and finding what works for you and what you like to use . You will likely find that each has its own time and place .
LOW BRACE DURING A SPEY DESCENT . PADDLER LOUISE ROYLE . PHOTO : JIM MILLER