Common Surfski/Kayak Mistakes with a Wing Blade

[@tommyrq180]

Your self-criticism was the most powerful aspect of this tutorial. Thanks for doing that, shows how stroke analysis is done.

[@gstewartjr]

Wow this was best I've seen. An overhead view would also be cool.

[@tonybrown9779]

Thanks Robert very informative. Rarely does anyone talk about how the wrist works and the effect it has on positive blade angle and consequent stroke length. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

[@K2NOPS]

Working the wrist seems like a personal preference and nuance for each individual. Each paddling super power (Hungary/South Africa) does it a little different. The way I teach is to keep the wrist neutral, then work an angle either flexed/extended as your speed reaches a higher level. The big macro mechanics come first in speed output then the wrist fighting for more angles/length in the water compliments that... if the body moves poor the wrists don't compensate if that makes sense. I'm running a website K2NONLINEPADDLESCHOOL.COM with more technique breakdown and ongoing training information being added for posture, Mobility, Stability, Movement and Performance!

[@tommyrq180]

Head is still despite all that rotation. There’s an imaginary axis of rotation from top of the head through the torso to the center of rotation in the bucket, but the head does not move.

[@callsignkkangchul]

thanks, good teachnic, thanks.

[@carloscolon8444]

nice Robert!

[@K2NOPS]

Yeah bro! Check out the website K2NONLINEPADDLESCHOOL.COM

[@maxhobie33]

Thank you good stuff!

[@K2NOPS]

Thanks!!!

[@brandynmckibben6174]

How would you modify legwork for kayaking where you're a little more confined and legs tend to frog under the thigh braces? I mainly paddle in an epic 18x and Stellar ST21 tandem. Also most of the events I'm doing are endurance (30+ miles) rather than sprints. Technique is the key to not wearing out any particular muscle group.

[@K2NOPS]

Moving the hips will make space for your legs first and foremost. If you're locked into position and can't move your hips, you will always be slower than a competitor in a boat who can incorporate their hips. We have a great video on rotation here on the channel and 50+ on kayak technique on K2NONLINEPADDLESCHOOL.COM

[@paddlefaster]

Nice video but there are a couple of things I don't understand. It seems like your catch is a little late it could just be the perspective but it seems like the paddle is already past vertical? As far as moving the hand across the chest or eye level it seems like you're pushing out? I've seen Oscar's videos which seem to contradict it yet Ivan's videos sort of lean towards pushing the paddle straight out. I'm always confused as to which is the proper form.

[@K2NOPS]

Ivan is proper form in the kayak marathon sense. Oscar's post shoulder surgery ideology reflects his teaching methodology/doing just enough to surf waves. I don't think paddlers at a high level paddle like Oscar teaches but they follow more in line with Ivan and the k1 ideologies. I think it's perspective since I'm coming at the camera. Watch Olympians in a head on shot and you can't discern blade angles.... only side views. I am about 12,5kmph/7.7mph for distance beyond 10k as a reference on flatwater skill level if that helps. If I could do that with a negative angle I'd actually be happy haha.

[@paddlefaster]

@@K2NOPS that would be a good trick at a negative angle. I'm really trying to get my speed up for distance. I really enjoy paddling 20-plus miles on Flatwater sometimes up to 30. I seem to have plateaued at about 5.55 mph for this distance. Your method is in line with my thinking. I'm going to try some of your techniques and get away from Oscars. I was out today and I kept thinking he seems to overcomplicate things just a little. Obviously it works for him because he's been doing it for so long but I think there's a disconnect between what he does and his teaching methods. An example would be stabbing the paddle into the water and expecting it to move the boat forward. It's not going to happen and it's a very awkward motion. I currently train on a stellar s18s G2 and I'm learning the epic gen 3 red tip. A title 15 to 1800 miles a year so I'm a little surprised my speed has an increased with all the practice I've been doing. Sorry for the lengthy post but any feedback would be helpful.

[@paddlefaster]

By the way when I say 5.5 I mean average over 20 to 30 MI. For shorter distances I'm good for 6.5 but not for very long.

[@K2NOPS]

@@paddlefaster a video review would go a long way if you want to set one up! I'm creating an online school that should help break down a lot of these details... should be up in another month. It's about 50 kayak videos totalling 6 hours in content. Breaking down each aspect of the stroke for varying skill levels. I can notify you when it goes live.

[@paddlefaster]

@@K2NOPS sounds good. I might see if I can get some video put together.