PADDLER 90
PADDLER 90
PADDLE DEXTERITY – GET COMFORTABLE MOVING YOUR PADDLE
Tip: Improve your paddle dexterity – the ability to manoeuvre smoothly and quickly through the water. Whether preparing for a roll, carving into an eddy, or setting up for a boof, having precise control over your blade is essential.
Why it works: Developing a good paddle technique and getting a feel for the paddle’ s feather improves your control in whitewater. The better you can move your blade efficiently and instinctively, the easier it is to react rapidly and place your strokes exactly where needed. Increased paddle dexterity will boost your confidence and help you handle challenging situations more effectively.
How to practice: Spend time on the water refining your forward and reverse strokes while also incorporating techniques like slicing your blade through the water. Practising skills such as the hanging draw, stern squeeze, and sculling draw will enhance your paddle dexterity. Focus on fluidity and precision, and work on transitioning smoothly between strokes to develop greater control and adaptability.
POSTURE – KEEP YOUR CORE STRONG AND ALIGNED
Tip: Focus on maintaining a strong and balanced posture in the boat. Sit up tall, engage your core, and keep your shoulders back to stay aligned.
Why it works: Proper posture helps with boat control, balance, and stroke efficiency. It allows you to transfer power through your body to the paddle and react to the water without straining your back or neck.
How to practice: While paddling, check in with your posture. Are you slouching or leaning too far forward? Keep your chest open and your hips engaged. When not paddling, practice sitting in a strong posture to develop the muscle memory needed to maintain it on the river.
PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS – STAY CONSISTENT
Tip: Keep paddling consistently! Progress in whitewater kayaking comes from continuous practice, even when the conditions aren’ t perfect. Consistency is key to improving whether paddling on a river or working on flatwater drills.
Why it works: Whitewater skills build over time; the more you practice, the faster your muscle memory develops. Consistent practice helps you stay comfortable in the boat and react quickly in new situations.
How to practice: Set aside regular time to get on the water, work on specific skills, and challenge yourself in new ways. Flatwater training or dryland drills can help keep you sharp and improve your paddling fitness even if you don’ t have access to whitewater. Consistency is key; it’ s why we run monthly whitewater coaching weekends!
CONCLUSION
Now that you’ ve got some foundational tips to work with, it’ s time to get out there and start building your skills. Whether improving your outfitting, honing your paddle dexterity, or refining your posture, these small steps will make a huge difference in your progression. If you’ re looking to take your skills to the next level, London Kayak School is here to support you every step of the way with expert coaching and guidance. We’ re excited to help you enjoy your journey and develop into a smoother, stronger, confident paddler.