I didn't mean that you shouldn't learn to paddle on both sides, in fact I think its a good thing and at times it may just be a hard ferry, in that case a single move, switch may help you, but going back in forth in hard rapids, when a roll maybe needed. I would stay on my roll side.
On easy class two,I have been paddling on my off side quite a bit lately to learn it, I'm also using the crossbow. It has given me a new outlook on how hard it is to learn a good crossbow. This summer I'll will also try try to learn a roll on my off side which I think may be handy some day. To tell the truth, I want to beat my lefty friend at their own game. Can't wait to see their competitive faces when that day happens.
"What are common pitfalls in the learning curve?"
Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin
my first response was communication...
however
probably the biggest error (IMHO) that I notice in general... is that fast is not always your friend. Control is way more important, and only within controlled motion should speed be added. Sure fast may cover up a lack of control, but the question was not getting out of a jam - but pitfalls to learning. One well placed stroke, is worth more than three done at the wrong time... And often speed simply reduces the reaction time, which is what's most needed when learning. For often in retrospect if given more time, something better might have been tried or added.
A couple other things
Watch the best, look at where they put paddle, see how few strokes they use in some places, how long they hang on the paddle at times, note that at times the paddle is kept near side, at others way forward... see how they do forward strokes... all good stuff to notice. I would suggest (and do) practice getting the most done with as few as strokes as possible... like going back and forth doing same move over and over, all the while using fewer strokes - maybe on a easy rapid you can paddle (attain) back up. Another is avoidance on paddling on the upstream side, to me it's just as important, and something to add to your repertoire once simple getting around is learned. (meaning learn at the appropriate point, as in when you can do without flipping).
And I always teach
...there is not one way, it's not my way, it's your way!
however
probably the biggest error (IMHO) that I notice in general... is that fast is not always your friend. Control is way more important, and only within controlled motion should speed be added. Sure fast may cover up a lack of control, but the question was not getting out of a jam - but pitfalls to learning. One well placed stroke, is worth more than three done at the wrong time... And often speed simply reduces the reaction time, which is what's most needed when learning. For often in retrospect if given more time, something better might have been tried or added.
A couple other things
Watch the best, look at where they put paddle, see how few strokes they use in some places, how long they hang on the paddle at times, note that at times the paddle is kept near side, at others way forward... see how they do forward strokes... all good stuff to notice. I would suggest (and do) practice getting the most done with as few as strokes as possible... like going back and forth doing same move over and over, all the while using fewer strokes - maybe on a easy rapid you can paddle (attain) back up. Another is avoidance on paddling on the upstream side, to me it's just as important, and something to add to your repertoire once simple getting around is learned. (meaning learn at the appropriate point, as in when you can do without flipping).
And I always teach
...there is not one way, it's not my way, it's your way!-
Craig Smerda
- L'Edge Designer
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Other than for bracing or ruddering while surfing... I feel that I can paddle almost as strong on my offside as I can on my onside. I think a big part of that is being comfortable making aggressive moves as Phil mentioned by compensating inside the boat for the balance shift... and spending plently of time working on offside drills. Slalom helps tremendously... period... end of the story.
There are some folks out there that can switch and paddle on either side of the boat very effectively... I'm just not one of 'em.
I also wish I had a full length slalom run of Kaz to post that compared his run to my own... so you could really see how much more effecient he really is while at the same time being incredibly fast. Good points there Phil.
There are some folks out there that can switch and paddle on either side of the boat very effectively... I'm just not one of 'em.
I also wish I had a full length slalom run of Kaz to post that compared his run to my own... so you could really see how much more effecient he really is while at the same time being incredibly fast. Good points there Phil.
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