PADDLER 85
WE BEGIN WITH THE WIND UP
This is where the torso is rotated so that the shoulder of the shaft arm / hand comes forward as far as one can comfortably reach . The grip arm / hand follows , nearly directly above the shaft hand .
NEXT COMES THE ENTRY
The blade is driven into the water with a downward motion of the grip arm until the blade is fully or nearly submerged . Care must be taken to ensure the blade is perpendicular to the keel line . The grip is outboard of the gunwale and stacked above the shaft hand , assuring a vertical or nearly vertical paddle shaft . If the grip hand is inboard of the gunwale the blade will be angled outward , creating a sweep component . Likewise , if the grip hand is significantly aft of the shaft hand , the blade will be angled such that it will be pressing water downward , wasting energy as it attempts to lift the boat . A clean entry is nearly silent . If there is a splash at the entry , either the grip hand was too far aft of the shaft hand or the entire paddle was being drawn aft ( power applied ) during the entry phase .
Once the catch has been set , there is a brief , almost imperceptible pause or hesitation while the water ‘ settles ’ around the blade . This short pause allows turbulence and air bubbles created by the displacement of water by the blade to dissipate . During the pause / hesitation , the blade is actually moving , with relation to the hull , but at the same rate that the hull is gliding through the water , no faster and no slower . Moving slower would be the equivalent of putting on the brakes . ( Note : The pause is unnecessary when an in-water recovery is used because the blade has remained submerged .)
THE POWER PHASE NOW COMMENCES
As the torso unwinds , the paddle is drawn straight back , parallel to the keel line of the canoe . It does not follow the curvature of the hull . If paddling from the stern of a tandem canoe , this is not a problem since the canoe becomes narrower as the paddle travels aft . If paddling solo or in the bow of a tandem , the placement must be such that the edge of the blade , closest to the hull , is an inch or two away from it so that as it is drawn straight back , it does not contact the now , widening hull .
The power phase is exceedingly short . It ends when the blade reaches the paddler ’ s knee . It is typically less than eighteen inches . It will vary a bit depending on the size of the paddler and whether they are kneeling or sitting . If paddling hit and switch style , recovery , ( for the next stroke ) begins at this point . If a J stroke or other correction is to be applied , the paddle path continues gently , farther aft , not for the application of power but so that an effective correction can be made nearer the stern .
Not all of us paddle for maximum efficiency and speed all the time . When paddling in a more relaxed fashion , the wind up may be toned down a bit and the brief pause omitted , but when one wants to secure that coveted campsite on the point , make it home before the weather closes in or just beat your buddies to the take-out , the all-important catch might just make the difference .
Turbulence begins to settle during the ‘ pause ’ Turbulence has nearly settled during the ‘ pause ’
PADDLER 85