Storm On!

Its been a while since I took any video to have a look at my form, so a quick check before going off to a KayakWays intensive weekend next week. This was an opportunity also to get some evidence of my roll to send to Eiichi Ito for his Storm On website so that I can qualify as a Stormtrooper. Happy to say it still works but as usual I see plenty of room for improvement!

Spoons and Sticks

The last two weeks have been full on  Euro paddling as I took part in a couple of courses here in Orkney, delivered by visiting coaches. To prepare for this I loaded the Isel and put on full kit, radio, tow line, helmet, splits on the boat  and so on and went rolling. Doing something like that used to be no big deal but the seed of doubt had taken root. I spend a lot of time rolling in a tuilik so sometimes need to convince myself that I will roll as confidently in all that gear as I had done in my pre-Greenland days.The idea that rolling skills are transferable is true - but only up to a point. The buoyancy and lack of rotation or ability to crunch forward was disorientating. The deck held me straight at the waist. The hang time to sort out buoyancy increased. The big blades! I did it, but it did not feel smooth or effortless. Had it always felt this way but previously I had had nothing to compare it to?

You might ask - why not just use a stick? Well it was my choice to use the Werner's for these courses. Firstly when I am coaching I am coaching folk who are using a Euro paddle, its easier for them to watch how you paddle, even if its not the teaching point, if you use the same type of blade as them. For leading I may well one day use a stick and carry Euros for other paddlers should they or I lose a paddle, but for now I am still the coachee and I am watching a L5 coach use Euro blades and my personal paddling skills are being evaluated with big bladed paddles. Having said all that, a butterfly roll is a nice fall back.

In an ideal world I would like to be able to switch from one to the other without having to think about it too much, but the reality is different. I paddled for a long time exclusively with big blades and I am keen to establish good habits with the stick, beyond rolling. I had a short introduction to paddling strokes with Kayakways last year so I know there is a lot to learn. Despite this I find it easier, more comfortable and familiar, to go from Euro to Stick, than the other way around.

Back in the Tahe this weekend I had the first of a few pre-KayakWays sessions. I have to get used to the Tahe again after getting in and out of the Isel (which almost comes along and scoops you out of the water) but the stick did the trick.

While writing this a video is circulating between GP users which illustrates my point with humour. Warren Williamson evaluates a British type paddle towards the end of the video.

 

Coach update

Time for a visit to the 'Church of the Double-Bladed Paddle'. We dutifully gathered on Sunday morning at Hatston slip as the bells of St Magnus Cathedral rang out over Kirkwall Bay.

Strictly Euro.

  Great weather for our coach update day.

And for a sail around the Bay.

Kirkwall Bay with St Magnus Cathedral in the background.

The congregation.
photo: Mags

Thanks Steve and Mags.

Independence Day

The day arrived. The weather looked good, no more than a F4 wind, and nil chance of lightning (that's what it said yesterday during the thunderstorms). There might even be some watery sunshine. My mission - to get the TaheG to Scapa, spend an hour or so rolling, and get back entirely independently (including drysuit zips).

This may not seem like a big deal to most of you folks out there, but when you are 5'6" and your boat is 17'10"  and the car roof is above your head, there are techniques to be learned and independence to be regained. The wind is hugely important, not for sea state but for boat control in the air. Tide times have to be checked - not for speed of flow but to make sure the tide at the launch will be out far enough for the slip to provide the crucial angle to get the boat on and off the car. Just the right size and style of deck is required - the one that will stay put above the rear window. Finally it helps to have a tube of black T-Cut to hand at the end of the day...

made it!

A gentle start

The first Tuesday evening paddle of the year and a calm night, exactly what I wanted to try out  the Tahe on a journey with the Greenland paddle. I was hoping that I would be able to keep up with everyone in a sustainable way using the GP (stick not doctor). Even with my inefficient novice techniques the boat made this possible, in fact, quite easy.

this way...

Unused to having to think about what to do in wind, I was concentrating hard on counteracting weathercocking even in a gentle breeze. With feet firmly wedged in the tiny hull I realised moving my feet around was a natural reaction to aid direction control - now impossible. Without a good fitting deck I was reluctant to edge too much, extending the paddle was the easiest option. It was a good lesson for the beginning of the coaching season to have to think about it all over again.

photo: Peter Fay

I worked hard at the paddle entering the water without a splash or plop, keeping the angle of the stroke efficient (trying to make that elusive little line of bubbles travel out and away from the boat) and keeping the stroke 'longer, lower and later' than the Euro forward paddling stroke. Rotation was a bit inhibited by the loose deck travelling round the cockpit rim.

photo: Johnny Johnston

As the light failed I realised how black I was and how useful lights would be!

paddling and chatting - chaddling?

A good start. Next - turning in the wind and waves.