As a beginner (gumby) endurance paddler I knew what it was like to be half way through a long paddle (whether racing or training) and suddenly begin to feel like you are paddling upstream after four days of record rainfalls. Nothing can hold out the creeping fear that your paddle will become an epic nightmare grind back to your car.

One good way to protect against such epics is to bomb-proof your paddling technique so that no matter what eventuates (conditions, distance, the tire you are dragging…) you will arrive home in better shape. And by bomb-proofing your paddling I mean grooving in such a great paddling technique that no amount of fatigue or unexpected conditions will throw you out of the most efficient stroke possible.

Sit Tight

The connection between your body and your boat is the only place that power from the blade in the water can be transferred into boat speed. Any “slackness” that is present in you body / boat connection will mean a lose of paddling efficiency and a lot more work needed to get the job done. Ensure that you have a solid and comfortable connection to your boat at the seat (including hip bracing), knees (or thighs) and feet. These should be firm and snug but not feel like you have been shoe-horned in.

Purchase a Winged Paddle:

This is one purchase that will pay you back with interest. A winged blade has the ability to “catch” more water which means that it has the potential to increase your boat speed. By catching more water they will seem to actually stay in their entry point in the water and enable you to pull your boat to the blades position thus creating maximal forward drive. The sting in the tale is that it will also feel a lot harder – but hey, this shouldn’t be something you guys are worried about is it?

Get a Good Grip on Your Paddle

The grip here should be similar to your fit in the boat – firm but not restricted. Your hand grip width should be at a point between shoulder and elbow width and be the same distance from the blades on each side. Your top hand should maintain a relaxed grip on the shaft during paddling. One thing I always think about is to “play the piano” with my top hands fingers to ensure that I am not gripping too firmly. By gripping the paddle too tightly you are just creating harmful tension in the upper back and shoulder muscles.

Sit Like You Are in an Interview

This is simple. Sit nice and upright with a strong straight back, but lean forward at the hips a little as if you are being very attentive – which you now are to your new and improved posture. Try not to create too much tension in this upright posture (like a soldier on parade) by trying to be too stiff, but rather be confident and proud (like when you accept your next trophy!).

Use Your Arms Properly

The “natural” thing when paddling is to pull on the paddle with your arms, but this is not an efficient method. Your arms are very weak in comparison to your torso so use your strength rather than your weakness. A stiff, slightly bent arm will transfer the work that the torso muscles are about to create and deliver it efficiently to the blade in the water. Any “loose link” in this chain will waste precious energy and slow you down

Create The Power by Rotation

Torso rotation is essential in gaining every ounce of efficiency from your paddling muscles and those stiff arms. It allows you to use the huge muscle mass of the trunk of your body and allows a long paddle stroke as well. The rotation should enable you to put the blade into the water at a point out near your feet. This should mean your bottom hand is punching down to your toes and your top hand is up in front of your face. Now begin to unwind the rotation by simultaneously pushing the top hand out in front and pulling your bottom hand to your hips. What you should try to visualise is to use your hips to pull your boat forward to your blade rather than pulling your blade through the water back to your hips – you are trying to go forwards after all. As the rotation finishes and the bottom hand (and blade) gets to your hips bring the little finger up to shoulder height (to exit the blade from the water) and drive the new bottom hand down to your feet.

Challenge Yourself by Paddling in Other Peoples Boats

This can really help in getting you out of any poor habits you may have gotten into in your own boat. Do you rely too much on your boats inherent stability? Are you not getting the most out of your body positioning setup? Do you need to continue to work on your paddling technique? Little subtle changes in the boat you paddle can be magnified by the poor technique of an uncustomed paddler.

Train in Bad Conditions Occasionally

Don’t fall into the habit of only paddling in the best conditions – this will lead to complacency and a plateau in learning (and the inevitable nightmare trip after a sudden weather change). Whilst ensuring your safety at all times go out with friends on windy and choppy days, paddle harder rapids, tighter rivers and challenge each other to exceed your comfort zone. Try paddling some mini slalom courses turning into and out of the wind and across chop. Re-run rapids till you are able to pick good lines and get yourself out of bad ones. Continue to try to better your skills and techniques in all situations, not just the ideal times.

Hopefully these points will get you out there challenging and improving your technique so that nothing will be able to “rock your boat”.

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