Paddling on your weak side

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:30 pm

Just curious how people feel about paddling on their weak side ie, I padlle on my right so paddling on my left would be my weak side.
I usually, when actually paddling through rapids always paddle on my strong, then in the flat paddle on weak side a bit. I know I should try to do more with my weak side. Just wondering how many of us feel comfortable on both sides

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:32 pm

I tried to develop my weak side for a while, and found it not to be worth the effort. I'd rather have one really good side than two so-so ones. If paddling strokes on my left is required, I just use offside (crossbow) strokes, I feel way more comfortable doing so than paddling on my left.
In flat water it's a different story, when trippinng I do switch sides if one is tired, but in WW, no way. I can paddle lefty in a tandem, but I do kinda suck at it.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:42 pm

Either Martin or I misunderstand this one (or I just misunderstood Martin...)

Are you talking crosside or switching from righty to lefty B? I though you were talking cross side.

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:17 pm

Yes, my post was confusing. What I meant to say is that I'd rather go to my offide on a crossbow stroke than switch sides entirely.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:32 pm

Coming from a tripping background, I'm OK on either side. Left is my strong side for ww, but I don't mind running some stuff on my right.

If I get C-1ing more, my right will improve, because I can only roll on my right, so I stick to my bad side when paddling C-1, which is Ok, because for now I'm limited to farting around on really easy water.

PY.

KNeal · Post by **KNeal** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:08 pm

Aw, Martin. Your post was not confusing. People just have to read it like they are a multi-international Canadian!

I agree about maintaining a dominant grip through whitewater and making good, strong cross-strokes. Otherwise, you're stuck paddling on one side and spending time bracing defensively instead of paddling offensively. I learned that point early on when I took on the Upper Yough. Defensive bracing made it a lot tougher navigating through the rapids. When I learned to trust my off-side strokes, going through the rapids got easier, though my comfort level on the Upper Yough never got much better.

You're a much better cboater when you develop good off-side techniques (right, Bill Hay, Alden, Joel?). I do recall hearing/reading about Jon Lugbill and Davey Hearn saying that offside paddling was not necessary in a cboat, that you could race onside and do just as well. Fact or fiction?

KNeal

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:14 pm

I thought CBC was asking about cross strokes. I can't paddle lefty in an eddy, much less in whitewater. Don't think I can change my vote though.

KNeal · Post by **KNeal** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:53 pm

FWIF-paddling on my offside means taking cross-strokes and not switching hands.

KNeal

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:35 am

I was meaning NOT cross strokes, actually switching hands and paddling on the other side.
B

craig · Post by **craig** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:16 am

Ditto to Martins post. I can only paddle on my weak side decently when I'm tandem, then it's only marginally acceptable. Sorta like switching hands for handwriting or eating with a fork and knife; its messy.

Bob P · Post by **Bob P** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:51 am

I don't have a weak side.

On the other hand, I don't have a strong side either.

jscottl67 · Post by **jscottl67** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:58 pm

Bob P wrote:I don't have a weak side.

On the other hand, I don't have a strong side either.

Are you amphibious?

John Coraor · Post by **John Coraor** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:57 am

As a result of starting out tripping in open canoes I am still comfortable switching sides in open canoe - certainly in up to Class II, possibly III. In decked canoes, my tolerance for switching sides is much more limited. I have always paddled left in decked canoes and don't feel comfortable on the right, primarily because I just don't have any where near the same degree of edge control and I find that it is much more critical in decked canoe.

John

Aric · Post by **Aric** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:56 am

in an open boat I can paddle up to class II on my left side, in decked boats I stay with my strong side all the time. I think you are right John, its the edges

Aric

bigspencer07 · Post by **bigspencer07** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:21 pm

I'm a righty by nature...however thru past-history(as others) on flatwater...enhancing my/our offside stroke (ie going Lefty via switching hands with paddle)...my OC-1 crossover/offside stroke(as a Lefty) is clearly more powerful. True...I am taking it easy..as I'm still rehabbing my right wrist from sitting on it 2 winters ago...(Don't have a thick, muscular wrist...so it's taking time..

..strength is coming along good, but way too slow for the brain!!..ARGGGHH).

C-Forum

Paddling on your weak side

Do you feel comfortable paddling on your weak side. (in turbulant water)

Paddling on your weak side

Weak Side?

offside stroke(OC-1 crossover) stonger when on "other&a