The jobs list for my Kayak has been growing steadily over recent weeks. Lots of little bits needed tweaking or fixing. Nothing major but a couple with the potential to grow into more significant issues. I managed to grab a couple of hours this week to give the boat some much needed TLC. One job [...]
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Technique: Forward Paddling – Sean Morley
This video has been around for a while and I came it across it thanks to the UK Rivers Guidebook Forum. The video features Sean Morley taking the viewer through a very detailed look at ‘power paddling’ – a highly efficient forward paddling stroke to maximise forward speed. There are some nice dry land as [...]
Balance Exercises
I’m spending a bit of time at the end of each training session playing with balance exercises before I get stuck into self rescue and rolling drills. Last Sunday I shot a bit of footage using my iPhone which I thought I would share. The balance exercises are great for increasing confidence and stability in [...]
4* Sea Assessment – Lessons Learnt
It’s done. Several months of practice and planning (and one aborted assessment due to candidates dropping out) and I’ve passed my BCU 4* Sea Assessment. Whilst in the grand scheme of things the 4* leaders award is not perhaps the hugest achievement in the world, when you are head down and focused preparing for an [...]
Keel Strips
When I got hold of my Cetus, I was lucky in that it came fitted with a keel strip in place as it was originally destined to be a demo boat. For those paddler’s ordering a new boat, a keel strip is usually an optional extra that can be specified at the time of ordering. [...]
Quick Release Contact Tow System
I recently wrote a brief article on one version of a Cross Over Contact Tow system. Although it has some real positive points, one negative aspect of the Crossover System is the lack of quick release. This article provides a look at an alternative contact tow set-up that is solves the quick release issue. Thanks [...]
4* Sea Leaders Kit List
Paddling kit is a source of endless discussion, tinkering at the best of times. When preparing for some form of assessment it can border on the obsessional. As part of my preparation for assessment with the BCU 4* Leaders award, I spent a long time thinking through the kit I was going to carry and [...]
Stern Rudder & Stern Draw
Another interesting video here from the Body Boat and Blade Virtual Coach clips (filmed by Bryan Smith). This demonstrates not only the Stern Rudder (or Stern Pry) but also the Stern Draw. Many UK paddlers will be familiar with the Stern Rudder but it’s interesting how many have not then gone on to experiment with [...]
Training Progress #1
So this is the first update on the training regime I started a number of weeks ago. It’s 3 month since I started trying to follow a structured routine with 3 main aims. Improve Paddling Fitness Improve Stroke Technique Improve Self Rescue Techniques Here’s an update on progress to date: Fitness: I was primarily concerned [...]
Edging – Body, Boat, Blade Video
Along with effective forward paddling, edging is one of the key skills that Sea Kayakers need to develop to allow us manoeuvre our sea kayaks. This video takes a look at the use of edging. There is some lovely footage of both the basic and advanced use of edging within this video. The video features [...]
