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| Technique Roger’s Conclusions High or low, skinny or wide—the long and short of it is that an efficient forward stroke centers on torso rotation and good posture. That’s a good place to start when refining your stroke for maximum efficiency. From there, you can start experimenting with the power of wider blades, shorter paddles and vertical shaft angle as well as the easy cruising efficiency of a lower stroke and skinny blades. Stroke “efficiency,” it seems, is a slippery concept. If you want efficiency in the context of power and speed, then a racing stroke probably suits you better. But if you’re seeking fuel efficiency—that is, slower speed but less effort—then a lower stroke with skinnier blades might be a better fit. Any serious students of the forward stroke might be wise to explore the full gamut and thus expand their options. My own personal preference has been to continue developing both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. Most of my paddling involves day tripping on exposed coastlines where surf, rock gardens and sea caves require many sudden bursts of speed and quick maneuvering. For this I’m decidedly “new school”—preferring a paddle that’s only 210 cm (even though I’m 6'2") with wide blades and using a vertical stroke style. But with a fully loaded sea kayak on a calm winter’s morning on the Sea of Cortez, I’m just as likely to pull out my three-inch-wide blade and low touring stroke to enjoy a slow, relaxed cruise. Different strokes are not just for different folks but for different conditions and different moods. Roger Schumann, a long-time contributor to Sea Kayaker, is co-author of two books on kayaking: Sea Kayaking Central and Northern California (winner of a National Outdoor Book Award) and Sea Kayak Rescue. An A.C.A. Instructor Trainer Educator, he has taught kayaking for the past 12 years. Roger can be reached through his web site: www.eskapekayak.com |
| Rogers Conclusion |