Difference between revisions of "Introduction to white water"
(Created page with ''''Key Whitewater Skills''' ''Forward Paddling'' 2* - key is to be going flat out after 4-6 paddle strokes (useful when breaking in to flow from an eddy) SPEED = STABILTY ''Dr...') |
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− | + | == Key Whitewater Skills == | |
− | + | The following is a list of skills that all good White Water Paddlers need, all can be practised on the basin on a Tuesday night and once nailed will make the world of difference when you venture onto moving water | |
− | + | '''Forward Paddling''' | |
− | ''Draw Strokes on move'' | + | 2* Skill - With regards to WW the key to forward paddling is to be going flat out after 4-6 paddle strokes. Sitting in an eddie a paddler will often have a small space to gain as much speed as possible. After 6 strokes you'll be crossing the eddy line exactly where you need to be, flat out. Remember SPEED = STABILTY |
+ | |||
+ | '''Draw Strokes on move''' | ||
2* - avoid the rocks – boat to blade not the other way round – show your bum to rock | 2* - avoid the rocks – boat to blade not the other way round – show your bum to rock | ||
− | ''Support Strokes'' | + | '''Support Strokes''' |
2* – when Skill 1 & 2 fail you will need to prevent a capsize | 2* – when Skill 1 & 2 fail you will need to prevent a capsize | ||
− | ''Rescues'' | + | '''Rescues''' |
2* – Water based, bow presentation, X rescue etc... | 2* – Water based, bow presentation, X rescue etc... | ||
− | ''Edging'' | + | '''Edging''' |
3* – if you don’t you get wet – Importance of connectivity with boat, edging not leaning. Commitment - you can’t edge too much! | 3* – if you don’t you get wet – Importance of connectivity with boat, edging not leaning. Commitment - you can’t edge too much! | ||
− | ''Bow Rudder/Bow Draw'' | + | '''Bow Rudder/Bow Draw''' |
3* – great way to get from moving water to eddies and steer your way through moving water. | 3* – great way to get from moving water to eddies and steer your way through moving water. | ||
− | ''Rolling'' | + | '''Rolling''' |
3* - When everything goes wrong you normally end up upside-down | 3* - When everything goes wrong you normally end up upside-down |
Revision as of 15:35, 2 June 2011
Key Whitewater Skills
The following is a list of skills that all good White Water Paddlers need, all can be practised on the basin on a Tuesday night and once nailed will make the world of difference when you venture onto moving water
Forward Paddling
2* Skill - With regards to WW the key to forward paddling is to be going flat out after 4-6 paddle strokes. Sitting in an eddie a paddler will often have a small space to gain as much speed as possible. After 6 strokes you'll be crossing the eddy line exactly where you need to be, flat out. Remember SPEED = STABILTY
Draw Strokes on move
2* - avoid the rocks – boat to blade not the other way round – show your bum to rock
Support Strokes
2* – when Skill 1 & 2 fail you will need to prevent a capsize
Rescues
2* – Water based, bow presentation, X rescue etc...
Edging
3* – if you don’t you get wet – Importance of connectivity with boat, edging not leaning. Commitment - you can’t edge too much!
Bow Rudder/Bow Draw
3* – great way to get from moving water to eddies and steer your way through moving water.
Rolling
3* - When everything goes wrong you normally end up upside-down
Exercises
Exercise 1 – loads of different forward paddling tips, however start with Boat Body Blade and make it fun – Tug of war, see how far they can get with 6 paddle strokes, see which works better 6 fast or 6 slow...
Exercise 2 – Figure of 8 edging, edge until capsize, change edge every stroke, use combination of Skill 2 & 3 to go straight only paddling on one side
Exercise 3 – Sculling draw stroke at front of boat, also known as ‘Duffek’ and very useful in open boating as well. Use each other/buoys as a rock, pretend there is a flow and break out. Get on river, break out behind things (stantions, boats, rocks) - Care needed
Exercise 4 – Hanging draw is really hard to get, start by pairing up placing blade and someone else not in a boat pushing you away from pontoon. T draw on the move – boat to blade to avoid head on collision with buddy
Exercise 5 – See who can edge furthest – don’t stop edging until you need to low brace. Don’t rely on momentum, make sure you are off balance!
Exercise 6 & 7 – in pool, maybe in 4th week
Options for progression Look out for river trips – find a local river and go explore it, Thursday night Lee Valley trips, Medway, Thames weirs – find moving water!
Useful Contacts/Links
Club WW Rep – Paul Carter, Emily Handley Professional Coaches – Google, UK Rivers