C-Forum

I am looking for some tips on what strokes are used when doing a flat spin in a C-1 playboat. I usually start with a pry and can get backwards fine but bringing the boat back around is tough. I usually start with a back draw and cross forward sweep but that gets me pretty twisted up and I have a hard time maintaining a flat boat and often get flipped when I am 3 quarters of the way around. I paddle a centrifuge which might be part of the problem, but would welcome any tips from some shredding c-1ers.

I finally got this move! I can only get it on a steep breaking wave in my Big EZ. I start with a real strong back-sweep on my on-side. It has to be strong enough to make the boat go more than 180 degrees. Then, after the stroke has played out, throw your weight back around the stern on your on-side. The momentum of the weight throw combined with digging the stern in does the final 180 degrees. If you do it too slowly it will feel awkward when the boat is perpendicular to the current with your blade upstream. Commit to the move & have fun!

hey man,
i am just now getting this move down. i start with an on side stern pry to reverse sweep. when my paddle gets to my bow i switch it to my off side. once my paddle is on my off side i use it as a semi stationary rudder but also pull the boat around it. by this time i hope i am pretty much side surfing with my paddling side upstream. then i throw my paddle and body back to the stern of my on side. this momentum will usually bring you around but if you need it you can gently dip your blade in at the stern to push it back downstream. i say gently because your paddle will be upstream of your boat at this time. usually the edge work and the momentum of your body unwinding will bring you back to a front surf. there is a website called playak.com that has a c-1 section with some video clips and still images with descriptions. i have learned a lot of play moves from this area. how is the centrifuge as a c-1? i am paddling a session + that i really like but am kind of looking for a little shorter boat.

The centrifuge is a good playboat with slicy ends. I dont have any trouble cartwheeling it. As far as length it is around 8 feet long and is pretty fast for a playboat. The downside for me is those low volume ends like to get pushed around in big water when you have some must make moves. Hence I am looking for a Fink for creeking and 10,000 + cfs. I would reccomend the centrifuge for playboating though and I can still run easy class 4 in it. Good to hear there are some cboaters out west. I live in Montana where c boating is pretty weird, but there are a few of us.
Hermes

try this out..

the onside spin is more difficult than the offside spin ( I find)......

1) Start the off-side spin by turning your power face upstream and keeping your shoulders parallel to the paddle shaft.

2) Rotate your head in the direction in which you are spinning and keep looking until you are all the way around.

3) Use the edges of your boat to help facilitate the spin. Always lean the boat slightly to whichever side your paddle is on, but try and keep the boat as flat as possible.

Thats it

the beauty of the offside spin is that you don't have to finish on your offside.

Hope that helps
Fraz