C-Forum

[Warning: this post mentions kayaking techniques]

Not sure how, butI I've watch some of Gene 17's kayak instructional videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/simonwestgarth/videos), and I noticed some similarities with canoeing techniques, and one difference that I'm hoping we can explore on this forum.

The technique being taught here, tells kayakers to boof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GDViwdB72c), by planting the paddle on the lip, then hip-thrusting (both sound familiar to c-boaters), but then they're instructed to scrunch (pitch forward--5:29 min on the video). Whereas I think most canoeists lean back.

Scrunching for kayakers brings the upper body over the front deck, and in doing so, I think the legs also move towards the upper body, thus keeping the bow up. At 5:42 on the vid, the consequences of leaning back in a butt-boat are displayed (stern-ender in the hole below the fall).

I had a look at Thrill of the Paddle, and I don't think there's any specific mention of leaning forward, back, or remaining neutral. I had a look at the Upper Tellico Race 2012 where the paddlers boof Baby Falls (http://youtu.be/xoamjsuJvdY" onclick=" ... urn false;), and my powers of observation can't detect any patterns, but I'm sure people on this forum will be able to inform me.

Should kneelers and butt-boaters do essentially the same when boofing, or is there some important difference in technique?

Quite some time ago, I saw a series of 2 paddlers boofing next to each other on a small drop, Dooley was one of them. I think it was on FB.
And you could clearly see a big difference in how the boat moved around. Dooleys boat was near horizontal and cleared the better part of the lip. The second paddler more or less avoided a deep plunge. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

I'm not judging the quality of the boofs of both paddlers, but there is clearly a difference, in timing, in stroke length, body position ... .

Interesting to watch, if you can access them!

They re launching off different parts of the lip and neither of their sterns have cleared yet. Not really a good comparison.

Check it. 3:10 is especially exaggerated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik-RQZMuFZ8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pretty sure I got what your talking about...

1) You want to plant paddle at the lip

2) Pull hard to slightly past your knee, lean back, hip trust forward

3) as soon as you clear the lip, lean forward, get your paddle up in front of your forehard, arms stretched.

4) take hit.

That is the move if you want to hit big boofs - 15-30ft

Less than that... its not really important to get forward after your boof stroke because the hits on the back aren't that big of a deal below 10ft. But i still recommend to use 'good form' because you want to drill in good habits if you want to progress what you are doing.

Here is example - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=62 ... =3&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

may or may not be able to see it.

Also check here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45pqVncwMAI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; watch 1:20 as Brad gets forward for the impact. He got that technique from being a kuyaker.

Don't think about 'leaning' as much as pulling you knees up (to your chest.). The result will look like leaning forward, but if you pull up with you knees, it'll lift the bow more.

search for STOMP - I know there is one out there that does a really in depth comparison between reg boof and stomp boof.
Narlz pretty much nailed it and I agree with RodeoClown its about the knees for stomping! Will add to drive with your hips when forward at the lip and placing that blade. A lot of things going on at once so watch some videos and retry on short drops.
Landing flat, even if aerated, is not fun and can lead to a sore back or worse.

Dito to what was said about it not being a lean so much as lifting with the knees.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK2-1mmMGOI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

this guy mentions leaning back but its really just a by product of the stroke being behind you.

J. Wood

In addition to the previous advice, think about pulling your paddle forward after leaving the lip: https://vimeo.com/51520299

Yes, I would say that kneelers and butt-boaters should do essentially the same when boofing.

And you are referring to lifting your knees to keep the bow up, which can look like scrunching.

I'm not really concerned about booting big drops (yet), just working on correct technique.

Looking at photos of the GDI's ALF 2012 & 2013 Boofs (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater), there are some definite leaning back postures, where paddlers have about half their boat or more over the lip. Whether there is some knee lifting at this point or scrunching afterwards, I know not.

These are good demos of what I think most people are talking about here, i.e. scrunching/lifting knees:
i)FullGnalzOC wrote " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45pqVncwMAI watch 1:20 as Brad gets forward for the impact. He got that technique from being a kuyaker." .
ii) ian123's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik-RQZMuFZ8 at 3:10.