Forward Paddling for Canoes: generating the power

[@sergiumocan3355]

It's like listening to my 4'th grade teacher (good memories), straight to the point... with a lot of common sense and logic behind the explanations. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That made me chuckle. Appreciated

[@Tim8o1]

Something to note; "Slicing" the paddle on the return has also helps reducing fatigue in two ways, aerodynamics - slicing the paddle through the air does make a difference especially whilst padding into a head wind and by reducing the height the paddle is when swung over the water. Hope this make sense? Another corking video from then Jedi Master.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I think the height thing is the critical one and if not sliced it leads to an awkward stroke (often seen in the inexperienced). The wind one is a marginal. We were long taught the importance re wind but sea kayakers have really gone from 90 degree feather down to zero on a Greenland stick and 45 degrees on standard paddle. But yes I still tell folks it is better in a head wind.

[@thebusinesspod6941]

Excellent tips on what to focus on, great resource for coaches to use. Thanks Ray!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You're very welcome!

[@DavidWillis]

The subtleties of efficient paddling - always something to improve, thank you.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevec-b6214]

Brilliant Ray, I read the print off your book before buying a new canoe (ally15dr), now having been off the water for a while, this is a great help.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad to be of service 😁. Hopefully you will be out paddling real soon.

[@nigelgregory4777]

Yet another great instructional presentation Ray, many thanks for the time and effort you must put into these videos. Thanks again, stay safe. Nige.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you like them! Trying hard

[@daviddelafield2671]

Thanks for putting this video out. Just in the process of prepping some notes to lead an instructor course and thought I would mine your video for some key points to bring forward. Excellent as always!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pauldanielewicz1054]

Excellent demonstration. I like the tape idea, too. The side views of the catch showing the non-vertical entry of the blade very well. And illustrate the benefits of using a bent shaft over a straight shaft paddle to increase power and efficiency. Which are more important in flatwater racing, where the need for bracing strokes is nil.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you Paul. I will do a bent shaft video at some point. Love using mine.

[@pauldanielewicz1054]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe you’re welcome. Look forward to more of your helpful videos!.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

Got your book (2nd ed.) for Christmas. Not signed, so more rare perhaps. :-) I hope to go through it in the near future and get all I can from it. My Kevlar Scott canoe is hanging in the garage, waiting for Spring. Cheers.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

i hope you find the book useful and enjoyable. Yep definitely more rare unsigned.

[@rebeccahall2532]

I like the idea of using the markers to extend, I guess this will encourage the rotation as I am probably guilty of trying to drive power with the arms. Thanks for the information Ray

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Worth giving it a try with the markers. Bit of electrical tape and you are away.

[@grotebeer7]

Nice, like your style. Elegant and efficient. See it too little on the water.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks 👍 Appreciated

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Ray I’m loving these series of videos. Could/would you do a video on what to wear or idea on what to wear spring, summer, autumn. under a dry suit etc.?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Great idea! Will start on it later this winter.

[@robertbittner713]

I am learning so much by watching your videos. Thank you so much!!! Greetings from Austria!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Happy to hear that! Good stuff

[@HughEllacott]

Hi Ray, should have been watching your demonstration but was highly amused by the disappearing dog

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I am glad Billie and I entertain 🤣

[@desmondbroad1305]

Hi new sub here..ime new to canoeing and ime loving it I've found your tutorials so easy to understand thankyou very much😍👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you find them useful. Stay safe and have fun.

[@davidcopperthwaite3422]

Nice one Ray

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks you.

[@ctcboater]

Finally! A proper J stroke at the end.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Lots of versions of the J stroke so not quite sure what you mean. But thank you for watching and commentating

[@GJ-mz3yb]

Thanks for your informative vid Ray! Always learn something new or reminds me to do something I’ve forgotten!! Nadolig Llawen👍🏻

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Blwyddyn Newydd Dla! Glad you are finding them useful.

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Good stuff Ray, are you going to be available for coaching in 2021?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes. Likely to be under lockdown until February or March

[@martinoutdoors6941]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe thanks Ray sorry to be a bore, I’ve sent a couple of messages regarding some training for myself and my friend Hugh but fully understand the uncertainty

[@dannyhollingsworth1109]

Provided you don't actually put any power through the end of the stroke, this is quite efficient. Works for solid 15hr days

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Absolutely.

[@offroadpaddler]

OK, you talked about getting power. To have a nice flow, you have to have speed also. No competition speed, but a speed that makes a wave to stiffen the canoe. If you want speed, the essential is the rythm. Ta-dam, ta-dam. Ta is the quick return phase. Dam is the stroke. When you lift the blade out of the water, canoe starts immediately slow down. Don't give slowdown any more time than necessary. To get a good candece, you also have to think about the size of the paddle blade. Now you are using a huge ballet blade. Otherwise good demo & advice as usual :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Jacko useful comments. I did allude to the pace when talking of the steering phase when a lot of folk spend too much time at rear of boat rather than get it back to the front and another power stoke. I like the idea of the Ta-dam rhythm.

[@toddheil42]

I sooo appreciate your commitment to continually bringing thoughtful, useful tools to all levels of paddling. In my first serious first year, I've only begun to realize how much I have to learn, but appreciate the ample opportunities to embrace these methods which make the experience much more effective and enjoyable. Thank you!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you are finding them useful.

[@grahamrowe6278]

Ray, does the effectiveness of the use of the torso/core also lead us to our ideal paddle length? Namely, over time we get eager for a shorter grip. (Though you know I carry a variety in my boat to suit the circumstances.)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Now that is such a good question it has me stumped. I think for many of us we get used to/adapt to the length we use but that only works within certain parameters. Some folk do end up with a paddle too long or short.

[@grahamrowe6278]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Think this is too long a debate for here. But you, stumped, NEVER! Anyways, confusion here needs to be clarified as it is length of 'grip spacing' as opposed to overall paddle length, as an otter tail may have a similar blade area as a marathon, but never the same length, and is expected to be deployed differently anyway. Over the long time of my paddling I found I wanted my top hand lower. For example, my oldest crank paddle is a 56" and is invariable in my boat, but the youngest are ~52-1/2" (same blade length) and are the better compromise overall. That is solo paddling of course, I would look at the matter (and blade choice) differently depending on whether I was bow or stern paddler, etc.

[@MrMjt888]

Another great video Ray. Thanks. Some interesting discussion on FB about this vid.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Mikey. Yep some of the discussion very useful. So much so I might replace this a year down the line.

[@newlife155]

Uncommon knowledge, thank you Ray and Lina..

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome. Glad it is useful

[@KartsHuseonica]

Excellent training video. Easy to follow and learn from.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Karts. I look forward to your tales of the Yukon.... I will be following avidly.

[@andrewpearce6082]

Very helpful video for beginners like me, thank you. But what I don't understand is why the canoe doesn't go round in circles when you are always paddling on one side. I presume you must be steering at some point during the stroke, and I try to do it at the end, but I suspect my technique is far less elegant (and results in a lot more drag) then yours. It would be great if you could do a short video on steering techniques sometime, please.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Andrew: Try the 'Mastering the J-Stoke' video. I really need to do a beginner specific video. Another to add to the list.

[@StephenMackey-n8o]

Love the videos Ray. I have very bad knees and am forced to sit rather than kneel. Any advice how I can optimise my strokes?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, just back from Canada and paddling Saskatchewan's Porcupine River. Re knees. My are shot too. Advanced osteoarthritis. So on expedition I sit a lot of the time and only kneel when I need more stability or power. when seated I often sit to my hip and chest line are at an angle to the canoe (same as when kneeling). So strokes like the J, rudders and to an extent the power stroke are all fine. Draws and bow strokes are not as good but still work. For flat water turning a lot of high quality canoes are made with low seats and are not designed to be knelt in. Hope that helps a little.

[@jonsadler6338]

As always, good stuff Ray. I'd been meaning to ask you for a video on torso rotation and the catch.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep this has been on the cards for a while. Glad to finally get it out there.