Fixing your Forward Stroke

[@georgemorcom9700]

I liked this video. I’ve knew I needed to improve torso rotation but wasn’t following what that needed to look like. Your breakdown makes me anxious to get back and try what you suggested. Thanks!

[@AdventureOtaku]

You’re welcome, don’t forget I offer free stroke analysis. Send me a photo of you paddling (from the front) or better yet a video and Ill send it back with notes.

[@Simon_W74]

Numbness is one area that I have had problems with. When I used to use my Sit on top in its Double seat configuration I would get to the point where my legs would go completely numb. In it's single seat configuration, I would get less numbing going on. I recently joined a Canoe Club here on this side of the pond and the only time I have had my legs go numb was when we did a long paddle to a Mill up stream and I had to paddle most of it with numb legs, that did start to get very uncomfortable as well. I had chosen a boat that still had the hip pads in and when we stopped at the mill I climbed out as it was the only place that we could get out of the boat. and removed the hip pads, and I had a much better paddle back to the club. I did find that if I lent right back to stretch it did start to ease off the numbness and discomfort. I do suffer from Back issues and have had my legs go to sleep from just sitting down, I injured my back when I was in the Army as a young Grenadier Guardsman Recruit in the British Army, that has caused my problems in later life as I have Arthritis in my Back and lost my Mobility for a couple of years. It is nearly 8 years since I got it back to a larger degree. I have found that with a Touring/sea kayak that the ability to adjust foot pegs has made a massive difference to the problem along with an adjustable seat. I did try your technique of pushing the paddle from another video very helpful as I was picked up for just gripping the paddle. Made a big difference too on hand comfort as I used to get blisters starting to form on my thumbs when playing on the sea with my sit on top. I have found that your videos are very helpful in my Kayaking journey. I do have a bent shaft paddle (second Hand) that I use at home as I bought it to try and relieve discomfort in my wrist, which I though was down to my Arthritis and It is in most of joints where I have had injuries over the years. Which was more likely down to gripping and letting rip with the power as I am a tall paddler and have always been naturally strong and I am finding out that the more strength I apply the more I tend to go off course. I thankfully make progress each week of paddling and try to apply things that I see in your videos and what the Coaches teach me.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Okay, First, thanks for watching and I am glad you have found my videos helpful. To the numbness, I think there are a lot of factors going on, primarily your history of injuries. Numbness is generally cause - I say generally because with your injury history there may be other things going on - by either lack of blood flow, or impeding or pinching a nerve or series of nerves. So I would continue to play with the distance foot pegs are from you and see if that makes a difference. I would also suggest a small pad between you and the boat to relieve some pressure on both he nerves running through your back and bottom. And help with blood flow. Since leaning back alleviates some of the issue I am leaning towards this being a nerve problem. So the pad might do the trick. Email me if you can because I would like more detail. BrettATadventureotaku.com.

[@kosmatifizik]

I have a somewhat related issue with leg numbness. No history of injury though. Im not particularly tall but my legs are quite long and combined with poor hamstring flexibility this makes it hard to sit on a flat surface with legs extended (L shape) I have found that the only thing that makes it possible for me to go long distances without getting numb is leaning back into the back rest and extending my legs as much forward as possible. I know this is poor form but for me its the only way. I am hoping this is all due to really poor flexibility and will go away, but till then im just going to lean back and paddle. I guess what i wanted to say is, do what works for your body, rather than clinging to some ideal.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I agree that we need to make it work for your body, but just make sure you are still firmly connected to the boat, and you can rotate your core.

[@SaulShiffman]

Not a comment on this video.... But on Brett as a teacher. We were able to set up a coaching session with Brett on the water. It - and he - were great! Brett was organized, responsive, supportive, instructive, helpful. My wife and I learned a bunch and had a good time. If you want some in-person coaching, where the coach can see what you're doing and help you tweak it - try to get some time with Brett

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks Saul, It was great meeting you both, and having time to paddle with you. A real treat.

[@marycrawford9428]

Good timing on a reminder video. I’m heading out to the lake shortly, and I always have to work on loosening up my hands.

[@AdventureOtaku]

You're not alone. It is pretty common. Have a great paddle!

[@rideon41]

Brett, loving your videos, trying to learn AND practice. I just started kayaking this season, with a cheap 12' rec kayak. Have done many 15-20 mile trips with it, and now just upgraded to a 14' long, 25" wide day touring boat so I can advance and practice next level of skills. While I'm a follower of your advice with the forward stroke, and think I'm decent with it, especially for a novice, I have a problem with my new boat that I think a lot of people experience transitioning from wide rec boats - tracking. I've had it out five times now, and I can't seem to keep it going straight for long. It has improved some over those times, but just wondering, how long does it take to feel comfortable in a touring kayak? I get exhausted pretty quickly right now just trying to keep it straight...

[@AdventureOtaku]

Okay, so I have a couple of follow up questions. And it might be easier to email me answers [e-mail]. I want more info on the “getting exhausted” Arm tired? Body tired? What kind of exhausted? What boat is the new one? Here’s the thing. Going to a longer boat which I am guessing is narrower than the 12’ rec boat, should make you track better. So I don’t think it is the boat. Sorry. In general longer boats track better. In general narrower boats will track better because the paddle doesn’t need to be as far away from the centerline of the boat. So I suspect that your stroke has changed to some degree which is eroding tracking. If possible I would love to see video of your stroke. But in general I would say make sure the paddle is entering the water at your feet, and exiting the water at your hip. Think about how far from the side or centerline of the boat your paddle is. But without video that’s all I can say. But my gut is saying it isn’t the boat.

[@kosmatifizik]

Nice video! One thing I would add is i find feet numbness has nothing to do with seat padding (in my case). i own an itiwit x500 inflatable and my feet routinely get numb on its eva cushioned seat. On the other hand this almost never happens in various other real kayaks raging from whitewater to touring type, all having hard plastic but significantly more contoured seats.

[@AdventureOtaku]

So what do you attribute it to?

[@EveyoneCallsMeTheDude]

Are you finally in Jersey now? That kinda looks like Lake Lenape

[@AdventureOtaku]

I am almost in Jersey, about 20 minutes from the border. That is Lake Nockamixon.

[@EveyoneCallsMeTheDude]

@@AdventureOtaku I’ve paddled there, it’s a nice lake. It’s only about an hour from my house. Next time you’re out there LMK maybe we could meet up for a paddle or a drink sometime.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sounds good, thanks brother!

[@owenphillips9166]

Hi Brett, interesting video...but I have a few comments! (don't worry, I'll start with the nice ones!). Callouses and blisters on hands: Yes, keeping a loose grip really helps. One thing I see you have, which is a huge help, is a carbon shaft with a super smooth gel-coat. Over the years I've tried paddles with varying shaft qualities. Some you can feel the carbon weave through the gel-coat. Whilst this does add "grip", it is a great way to get blisters and callouses on a long paddle. So yeah, everyone should aim to own a super smooth paddle shaft. One thing those with a rougher shaft can try is to buy some thin glossy shrink tubing. A layer of this on the shaft can really help smooth things out a little. Gloves for summer - same here, except I found a company in Japan called MontBell that produce lightweight gloves without the fingertips and which are also palm-less. They work wonderfully. (btw, I think 0 degrees helps the body, although not as much as eliminating the old push/pull technique) Which leads onto the forward stroke. This "push" thing...sorry, but no! Not just my opinion. If you get the chance, here are two exceptional paddlers whose vids you should take a look at. One is Oscar Chalupsky's paddling technique (pt. 1 will mention why pushing is not good); and secondly is the series made by Ivan Lawler. His episode on the upper-arm addresses this too. I won't explain it here because these guys do such a fantastic job of it, so please, please, have a gander at what Oscar and Ivan have to say. Thanks for the video. It is always interesting to see how you roll over there on the US east coast and hinterland.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Hey Owen, As I have only owned Werner carbon paddles - I have paddled some aqua bounds but havent owned them - the smoothness wasn’t something that occurred to me, but it is an interesting point. And as I am about to do a video about paddles, Ill dig a little deeper into it. Thanks. As for the push thing… Ill check out the people you mentioned but as I said, I didn’t invent the push concept. Gordon Brown, ACA, BCU, Paddle Canada… NOLS… OB…. All teach the push. Something that I always go back to is this, watch Olympic paddlers. It really accentuates the push, torso, and leg aspect of paddling because they do it so well and so fast. But as I said, I will check out the people you mentioned. I also didn’t realize MontBell was Japanese. Go figure.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Okay, I just watched the Chalupsky video. Hadn’t seen it. Great video. The most important thing he said was the last sentence, “and that’s very important for surf ski paddling.” He is paddling a surf ski, AND using a wing blade. Both of which are very different compared to a sea kayak. BUT, That said. Yes he said not to push, and I said to push. But we are ending up in the same place. His goal is get you moving the paddle with torso rotation. That is my goal too. I say (and everyone I mentioned in my other comment) to push, to get people away from pulling the paddle. I said 1) push 2) torso rotation 3) legs. Really my goal is your arms really doing very little and it is mostly torso rotation. Another way we teach it is Frankenstein arms. Lock your arms you have to paddle by rotating. The other thing I will add, is that to get a ton of speed like he wants in a surf ski you have to over accentuate things like he does with the locked bent elbow, we would never do that in a sea kayak. Finally, the low brace may be the most important stroke in paddling a surf ski - Having only done it once I wouldn’t pretend to know. I was just glad I didn’t fall out of the damn thing. - but it isn’t the most important stroke in paddling a sea kayak. Thanks for a comment that got me thinking!

[@markb2396]

@@AdventureOtakuhi Brett, I think the idea of ‘push’ with top hand is a nuance concept and maybe some semantics. I’ve struggled for years on it. Oscar is trying to emphasise not punching forward which ruins the stroke. But if you watch enough of the top paddlers they hold that top hand in a stationary position at the crux of the stroke when putting on max power. It’s just logic that you must be pushing the top hand as you pull yourself past your stationary blade. Very good video👍

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks Mark. As I said we are ending up in the same place, working towards torso rotation.

[@jimbokayaker5247]

Owen nailed it, surf ski paddlers have the most efficient forward stroke. The more you can apply their technique to kayaking the more efficient your paddling will be. Even including using a wing paddle. Low angle paddles don’t perform well with any of the proficient high angle techniques.

[@tommycheshire5508]

Any information on when, where, and what courses are available this summer or fall? You still say your email too fast for me to grab it. I had open heart surgery in May. I will not be back in a kayak before late September or early October, but my butt is ready to sit on the edge of my seat for an exciting course.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Hey Tommy, first, thanks for your generous support! I appreciate it. For classes are you talking about WFA? I start teaching those agin in August but all in the North East. I will let you know when I am back in your Area. Glad the surgery went well. And whatever happened it seems they caught it. Take it easy and venture out slowly. OH! email, BrettATadventureotaku.com

[@tommycheshire5508]

@@AdventureOtaku They caught it in the ER! What a lucky bloke I am. Actually I have been lucky three times!

[@AdventureOtaku]

You are lucky my friend! Stay lucky.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Must admit that I always haul on my hands, don't find it an issue. Physics says you must haul on the hand with the blade in the water. I do tend to drop my to hands a bit due to frozen shoulders but I'm working on it.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, our goal is to get the power from torso rotation. Not our arms. Pulling, or as you say hauling will compress your elbows and make it harder to rotate…. If you push with your upper/air hand, you don’t have to pull… physics be damned.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@AdventureOtaku OK, physics demands that you let go with both hands and push and see how far you get. The force on your lower hand must be a pull, that pull comes from your core. The top hand is largely just a guide to keep the blade perpendicular to your travel and as vertical as possible through your stroke.

[@AdventureOtaku]

If you paddle with loose hands the way I do, if you aren’t pushing with your top/air hand the paddle falls out of your hand. The bottom hand is the guide. It’s not pulling, its allowing the paddle to travel backwards as the boat moves forwards.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@AdventureOtaku I paddle more like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKS8gXppgdiJgc0 Might have to try your method. I'm completely self taught over about 50 years. Thanks.

[@AdventureOtaku]

And I have had some of the best touring kayak instructors on the planet, and then spent years working on my technique. Paddling ten of thousands of miles And writing books. But do what works best for you. I mean that sincerely. If it works, if it’s pain free. If you can cruise all day. Don’t mess with it. Have a nice day.