The PaddlerUK magazine September 2015 issue 4 | Page 20

PADDLERUK 20

Quality skill development:
The skills we learn in paddlesport are all about
being able to move the boat to a desired
destination, preferably in a controlled, efficient,
and economic fashion, in order to achieve this
we need to:

Have an active posture, allowing the body to
move freely, with the muscles sensitive to
movement and free to act quickly. Whilst being
able to effectively transfer our weight, changing
the centre of gravity and remaining in balance.

Be connected to our boat allowing us to react
to the movements of the boat, paddles and
water around you.

This allows us to feel and anticipate the
movement of the boat through the water and
efficiently transfer power from the body to
create movement of the boat. The paddler can
perform strokes that generate power, turning
and stability; control the speed, angle, edge and
trim of their boat; and move efficiently and
economically.
Resulting in the controlled and efficient
movement of the boat to achieve a desired
outcome.
Using the Draw stroke we can look to see
these fundamentals being applied -

Draw

Moving the boat towards the paddle side.
Stroke used in canoes and kayaks.

Pry

Moving the boat away from the paddle side.
Stroke predominantly used in canoes.

In the picture above, we see the paddler
applying the upright body with the middle
pelvis position. We can observe this due to the
freedom to get both hands over the side they
are paddling on / the upright head and the
body rotation achieved.

This also allows the paddler to reach out
comfortable giving the full range of movement.

We need to ensure that we have good coordination here, as the legs need to have a
degree of pressure on them so that they hold
the boat at the required angle and don’t allow
it spin back towards the paddle.

To have an efficient and effective draw stroke we
need to look at our posture in the boat first.
We need to have our pelvis in the middle position. With the
pelvis in this position it allows our surrounding muscles to be
relaxed. A relaxed muscle is able to contract quicker, is more
sensitive and mobile than a muscle under tension.
In the picture (left) we can see the paddler able to rotate their
upper body over to the side that they would place the paddle
on.This is possible due the upright upper body with the pelvis in
the middle position.This posture puts us in a position where we
can remain in balance and be free to be agile in our movements.