paddling help for new guy

[newguy]

Hello ..... I am new to this sport, in fact, my first time in a solo whitewater canoe was today for about 3 hours. Yesterday I bought an Esquif Zephyr and a Werner Bandit Fiberglass paddle. I've been wanting a solo boat for over a year, and yesterday I came across a good deal, so here I am....

First question.....How do you go straight?? I mean the power phase of my first forward stroke turns the boat so much that I really have to correct with the 'J' part of the stroke. Once I get the boat moving I can keep it straight for a few strokes, obviously, it's just practice, but any tips??? You guys make it look so easy.

Second question.....Why do some paddlers NOT like the spoon blade paddles like the Bandit??? I noticed sometimes that the current really grabbed it and jerked me around. Also sometimes when doing a stern pry, I am using the back of the blade. I never noticed I was doing this with a straight blade. Am I doing it wrong??

Last question.....What do all these C1, OC1 etc designations stand for?

Thank you in advance.
New guy

[SamS]

Just keep practicing the rudder, it gets pretty easy. C-1 = 1 person canoe (they have a closed top), OC-1 - 1 person open canoe, OC-2 - 2person canoe, etc.

[oopsiflipped]

you never go straight. the idea is to carve on your onside. you want to learn to have the boat turn to the side you are paddling on, rather than away. once you learn to paddle in a circle, you can start to figure out how to paddle in a larger circle, until the 'circle' becomes so large you are essentially going straight.

i really found this video quite helpful when i was starting out:

http://www.whitewatervideo.com/cgi-bin/ ... .htm#Canoe

[canoemid]

Where are you located?

[newguy]

Thank you for your replies. I found some links to Bob Foote's videos here on this forum, but I'll be checking out that video also. Thanks for the link.

I am located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

[craig]

I'll second oopiflipped's comments!!

[jakke]

Hello newguy,

I've listed some of the dvd's here
http://open-canoe.be/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=28
From Here to There is also nice, technique is not always super pure, but the video in itself is good.
And I highly recommend the Kent Ford material, dvd's and book. It's another style then the Tom Foster one, but it's good to know both.

Once you've mastered how to go straight, I've worked out some exercises you can do to work on your strokes and manoeuvres:
http://open-canoe.be/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=25
Yes, it's flatwater, but doing some exercises can make flatwater fun as well. Especially if you can do it with some other people.

Maybe you want to get a jumpstart by an experienced paddler or instructor. I suppose you have some of these in your area .

And surely don't forget to have fun

[TonyB]

OC-1 (open canoe 1 person)
OC-2 (open canoe 2 people)

take away the O and you put on a skirt (er um Kilt), fully decked.

[Bob P]

And my video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-sgniMa5Q

[Louie]

Screw a bunch of videos, come boat with the GDI, it is an advanaced course not for the weak of heart. summer sessions are held on the Upper and lower Ocoee. When the rain starts we will do the good stuff. If you survive you will have made great advanacements and be more like Eddy McNagr than you will like...well like a lot of people on this board. However if videos is how you want to learn, watch Pinchelocogringo for views of both the right and wrong way to do stuff.

[ian123]

Yo, hit the paddler co-op at Palmer's Rapids for week or weekend. If there isn't a course running, they ll set one for you. It's a great spot. They ll sort you out.

[newguy]

thanks guys for the help,much appreciated
jakke I like your comments on the dvd selection wil be checkin them
this winter. I'll be practicing flat water this weekend and trying out the drills.
Bob p nice video I can totally respect that display in skill. hey do you
have a fast stroke rate "cadence" or has the video been sped up?
Louie what does GDI mean? I may be in the smokies for vac mid june.
videos deff help.
ian123 I was thinking of the co op for instruction for sure, Just don't want to spend that precious time when i'm super green.
thanks again new guy

[Sir Adam]

If you've spent some time in a boat enough to get started instruction of one type or another is very worthwhile to keep you moving forward.

First figure out how you learn.

Videos and books are great if you learn well by them and are self-taught in most things from them.

In person instruction is great if you learn by watching someone else do it and have them critiquing you.

If you learn best by just going out and doing it (the "crash and burn" method) then ALF or paddling with the GDI crowd is your best bet - they'll be supportive and a good atmosphere.


Most of all, have fun:) The learning never stops unless you let it.

[karstmaninaboat]

Paul Mason's (cboats member) book "Thrill of the Paddle" is good. "Paddle Your Own Canoe" is another good book.

Also, if you can get past the cheese, I found Kent Ford's videos to be helpful:
http://www.performancevideo.com/solo_playboating
http://www.performancevideo.com/drill_t ... layboating

[Einar]

Also, always try and paddle with paddlers better than you.

Don't forget to buy the beer, volunteer for the shuttles, and get invited back.
When you gotten good, drink the beer, sleep during the shuttles, and invite back.