Freewheel Spanish Fly

gumpy · Post by **gumpy** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:20 pm

been meaning to learn to freewheel (is this the correct term?) my fly over/off of ledges, gonna try some this weekend.

looks like its basically a well timed back sweep, but it also looks like most make some attempt to get the stern out of the water as this happens.

could anyone give me a more concise description of what all needs to happen to do this well?

thanks.

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:48 pm

i think you want to learn to wavewheel first, or at least that would help. same as a cartwheel, i think. not that i do any of these well, but i think all are the same move. sean does them all pretty well, he might have better input.

OC1er · Post by **OC1er** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 5:07 pm

It's not really a sweep, it's a low brace behind you and then a torsional twisting motion to drive the bow down, think of a pair of scissors closing, with one blade being the boat and the other blade your paddle. Same way as initiating cartwheels in a hole or flat water. On flat water it helps to "double pump", get on edge and bring the bow up before closing the scissors. Eric Jackson has a great beginning playboating DVD, alot of it translates easily to C technique.

malone · Post by **malone** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:25 pm

I agree with Oc1er...the scissor motion is very important...lead with your head as well. Look at the bow as you start, and then look for the stern as you rotate past vertical...very helpful...
enjoy....

Post by **PAC** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:41 am

Joe on the LY at Piddley there is a corner to that hole that is very helpful to cartwheel an SFly in at around 2'. And one on the Slip at 6" and above...so there has to be other spots... watch the yakers for the spot. Like said above ...commit, lean while smashing down (double pump) and look over your shoulder... where you look will lead the boat. The hole at Piddley can let you link cleans at the right leave. Got be a good start to free wheel!

Now if we every get some good water that would help!!!

funkidreadz · Post by **funkidreadz** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:40 am

Waving wheeling a S'Fly is kinda easy...
[img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HU6CptvsveQ/T ... ames+3.jpg[/img]
I'll post how to later
happy paddling
James

Todhunter · Post by **Todhunter** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:21 pm

Hey James, there's holes in the side of your boat!

Dooleyoc-1 · Post by **Dooleyoc-1** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:59 pm

Great photo James! I've been doing freewheels in my spanish fly off of drops for a while but I've never done a wavewheel as good as the one in that photo in my spanish fly. You've inspired me to get out and try some on the ocoee...

ian123 · Post by **ian123** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:33 pm

Nice James. Don't forget to post some tips!

gumpy · Post by **gumpy** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:18 pm

funkidreadz wrote:Waving wheeling a S'Fly is kinda easy...
I'll post how to later
happy paddling
James

that'd be great. thank you

funkidreadz · Post by **funkidreadz** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:19 pm

Top tips for wavewheeling;
Wave selection is key to easy and successful wavewheeling, the wave should have a steep downstream face, the steeper the better!
The upstream face should be about 45degrees, this allows for optimum acceleration up the wave face.
The aim is to make a powerfull forwards stroke on the way up the wave face so that the paddle blade is at your hips as you reach the tip of the wave.
You should reach the tip of the wave travelling quicker than the water, turn your head to look down at the bottom of the wave and briefly lift up with your onside knee, this will lift the front of your canoe even higher out of the water.
Edge the canoe 90degrees to the onside, as you would do when starting to cartwheel, keeping pressure on your paddle blade and smash the nose of the canoe down towards the bottom of the wave, keep your head looking down towards the bottom of the wave and push up on your paddle like you are doing press ups.
The big key to this is timing and I can't talk you through that here, common mistakes are smashing too early and not looking down to the bottom of the wave.
A S'Fly is a big boat to wavewheel, but it needs more speed and technique than weight.
I hope this helps, if not please post back with questions,
Paddle safe
James