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MAIN PIC : YOU WANT YOUR KNEES AND ANKLES TO WORK LIKE THOSE OF A SKIER , OR MOTOCROSS RIDER , ABSORBING ALL THE BOARDS MOVEMENTS SO THE UPPER BODY REMAINS
MOTIONLESS .
Firstly , wider boards are not more stable , despite rumors to the contrary . They may initially feel more stable when standing on them on a nice flat lake ( and in many ways are more stable on a flat lake ), but as soon as you get into whitewater , the very features that make the board seem stable , take away stability .
The further a rail is from the centreline , the harder it is to lift that rail out of the water so it doesn ’ t catch . The more likely water rushing from the side will catch it , and the more force ( moment arm ) the water will have on the rail , and thus on you .
Balance comes from subtle movements , and adjustments . Wide boards require more defined , forceful movements to get them to respond , and this is a primary destabilizing factor . Any exaggerated , powerful movement on the board ( required to edge a wide board ) is gong to destabilise you .
If you ’ re crossing a lot of eddies , doing ferries , or eddy turns , a wide board makes it harder to lift the outer edge so it doesn ’ t catch , and you quickly begin to appreciate the control and forgiveness that comes from paddling a narrower one .
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