Conflicting Information

During yesterday's test paddle of my Feathercraft Big Kahuna, I met Ee Tuck, a flatwater coach who was paddling in a K1. I spoke to him about the racing forward stroke. He shared some tips on the appropriate length to adjust the footrest, how much to kick when paddling and wrist motion when doing the forward stroke.
I noticed he does a throttling motion with the wrists cocked back, so I brought up the subject and he says you need to do it to overcome the feathering.

Olympic medalist and a flatwater coach have shown that the wrists have to be cocked back. Maybe I misunderstood Junsheng?

According to Derek Hutchinson the only way you don't have to cock the wrists is if you are using a 90 degree feather angle. But those racing paddles are 75-80 degrees if I remember correctly.

Forward Stroke Technique

The paddles I usually use have a feather angle of 80degrees or so. Because of this feather I have a throttling motion of my wrists when I paddle.
However, during the SIM Canoe training, I was told by the team captain not to do that throttling motion.
I've been scouring the net looking for information on how to have a neutral wrist position ever since.

Thats when I came across this picture of 2 time Olympic Gold medalist, Greg Barton.
This is taken from an article found in canoekayak.com. The article is by Greg Barton on forward stroke technique. If you look closely, his right wrist is rotated back.

Credits: canoeayak.com
Read the Full Article Here

Diagnosis and a huge investment

After reading up more information over the internet, I have a rough idea what cause the pain in my shoulder which eventually led it to pop.
I haven't really been using a proper torso rotation, "shouldering" my strokes instead. That is to say, I have been moving only my shoulders which gives the illusion of a torso rotation.
Now that the problem has been identified, I need to focus on correcting it.

I've also made a huge investment. I bought a Feathercraft Big Kahuna. Abit worried about the larger cockpit, but more space in the kayak would be welcome. I like a nice fitting kayak, but leg room is great. Which is why I dont like the Perception Dancer.
Will be getting it 2nd hand from a fellow paddler who is throwing in alot of accessories and even a paddle. He wanted to include his PFD too but he is a big guy and I definately won't fit into it.
Total damage? $3500. Reasonable especially since a brand new kayak without upgrades costs $4800.
His comes with the new upgraded coaming, front and rear hatches and bracing bars which would up the price to $5000+



Oh, and the best thing? Its red to match my PFD and dry bag. Hehe.

Greenland style handroll

Check out how this guy does his handroll.
Note the pause before he rolls up and the position that he is in. That position is known as the balance brace position. I don't know for sure, but I think we would be able to float up higher since the buoyancy vest we wear gives us some floatation to float up to the surface.

Learn to walk before you run

A few months ago I successfully completed a hand roll with my right hand. At that time all I had was youtube and a website that had a write up of a hand roll technique with influence from greenland style kayaking.

Using information from the article and videos on youtube, I unconsciously developed a 1 hand, hand roll. Amazing. Unlike other articles which show pictures of the paddler using both hands to provide resistance for the hip flick.

Going along that line, I tried that 1 hand technique for my left side. Or as the americans like to say in the forums I frequent, the "off side". Since the hip flick on my off side is not as powerful as my right, I had difficulty doing a roll.

I was having a chat with David about hand rolling and he mentioned how he needed both hands to do a hand roll. It was then that I had an epiphany. I decided to try a hand roll on my left side with BOTH hands! I tried it and it worked! haha.. a simple solution to my troubles.

Now I can do a hand roll on both sides! Hell yeah!

Hand rolling articles

1 handed roll.
http://seacanoe.org/hand.htm

2 handed roll
http://www.kayak.dk/kkkk/kajak/technique/14.HTM

Alternative rescue techniques

The common rescue techniques taught are,

1. TX Rescue
2. Rafted TX Rescue
3. Eskimo Bow
4. Eskimo Paddle

I believe that we should learn more techniques, just in case.

Below are videos of the Bow Roll and Hand of God rescue.

Pros:

1. Fast set up, just grab victim's bow

Cons:

1. Might be difficult with rounded hulls (eg. bandits, dancers)
   

Pros:

1. Can be used after failed positioning for Eskimo bow rescue
2. Fast set up, just get alongside victim's kayak

Cons:

1. Might have problem if victim is bigger
2. Failed attempt leads to victim falling back into water, possibly when gasping for air

Personally, I feel that the Eskimo paddle rescue is quite dangerous, especially when you have panicky victims. Even if the victim has 2 Star certification, it is risky since the natural tendency is to grab your hand as you lead theirs to the paddle shaft.
And it doesn't end there, with the paddles across, the distance between the 2 kayaks are very short, there is a possibility of the victim hitting his head on your kayak as he rolls himself up.