Kayak Training Pays Off!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Dear Brent,
I competed in my first ever kayak marathon (the Run of the Charles) in my Kayakpro Jet. 19 miles, six portages and two "wet exits" later I finished. I did about 3:35 with a 20 mph headwind for the entire distance. I passed three boats in the last mile-and your coaching was the key. I spent hours chanting " Push from the lat", "feet,feet, feet"(to help me use my legs more), and the winner "lift the elbow".
I chased one boat in front of me for 90 minutes before I finally overtook him in the headwinds.
I could tell that he was not using your methods, and I bet that the headwinds would hurt him more than me-and it worked out, as I caught him and dropped him with 200 yards to go.
I also beat another member of my kayak race club for the first time -by 10 minutes. He's my age, and has the same boat so it was especially satisfying to finally beat him!
Even a rather crude implementation of your methods was successful for me.
thanks again,
bill walker
Jim now “See’s The Light”!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I watched your video several times and then put it to work on the water. One thing I wasn't getting was the pushing hand coming across the body. I thought I was doing everything right, but I kept finding myself punching straight down the hull of the boat, exactly what I wasn't suppose to do. I kept trying, but it wasn't coming together, so I gave up and tried one other thing you mentioned and that was to keep the blade vertical as long as possible. I figured I'd just try that. Guess what? My pushing hand came straight across my face. Sometimes you have to say it more than one way to get it across to boneheads like me. This was what worked for me.
I tried spearing the salmon. Very quickly, I discovered pain in my elbows, so I backed off to my old technique. The pain went away. Then I noticed that my stroke was actually quite good. I wasn't slapping the water or pushing air. My paddle was completely submerged when I put on the power. I figured that I had it right from the beginning. Cool!
The exit: I have an AT paddle, with a slight modified crank. I love this paddle. However, when I tried to find the right exit point, I found that it didn't seem to matter. The paddle exited flawlessly from any point. The only time I have an issue with my exit is when a steep wave hits at the exact point of exit. That's when I feel a "sticky" feel as the paddle seems reluctant to exit the water. Thoughts? Also, I'm eagerly awaiting my new wing from Patrick at ONNO Paddles in Hawaii. If you like, I'll let you know how that works.
Over all results: With my AT paddle and my extreme kayak by Current Designs, I would cruise at 5.2 mph. After watching your video, I'm cruising at 5.6. That's nearly a 7% increase. Today, I was paddling hard and checked my GPS. I wasn't going all out or anything, but I was doing what I'd call a hard cruise. My GPS said that my top speed was 6.6 mph. If that's accurate, HOLY COW! My all out top speed has increased too. I've hit 7.5 mph after tweaking my technique after watching your video. I can't wait to see the results after my wing arrives.
Thanks,
Jim
Kathy from The Pacific Northwest sez…
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Hi Brent,
I was in your Forward Stroke class at the Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium in Tacoma a few weeks ago. (I was in one of the classes with all women). My goal was to be able to keep up with all the 16-year old Boy Scouts that I'll be paddling with this summer. You said "Good Luck!" But I wanted to let you know that we went out last Saturday paddling for the day and I worked really hard on my efficient forward stroke, and I WAS OUT IN FRONT ALL DAY!!!!!! Before your class I was always lagging behind, but now I can keep up.
I was so excited. Plus, after practicing all day I finally got what you had said about paddling and getting the strength from your core (behind your belly button you said). I could feel it! It was great! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for such a great class.
Now I just have to decide if I should let the other Scouts in on the secret
- but then how would I keep up????
Thanks,
Kathy
Dana’s Feedback after the Memorial Day Weekend Classes of 2006
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Hello Brent,
Remember me from your 1st day @ Rutabaga...I was the frustrated gal with the xtra long paddle who couldn't stay away from rocks, walls, etc. I am SO happy to have taken your clinic!! I have been paddling @ Whitewater Lake and can't believe how amazing I can paddle! I am totally rejuvenated and amazed to use kayaking (even in my recreational kayak) as a 'workout'! I really can paddle for an amazing amount of time since I'm not doing the 'total arm thing' anymore. And yes I'm pretty proud of myself too!! Oh well, I always do something that brings me right back to my rightful size!! I just had to send you a note/testimonial to your excellent teaching clinic. I also purchased the DVD. I've always loved being on the water but it truly is a different experience now - a meditation with a real workout benefit. OK, enough already.......Wishing you all the best Brent.
Hope to see you @ Canoecopia next spring!
Paddle in Peace,
Dana
David Silverman, Founder Of SCARAB: Southern California Adventure Racing Buddies
Saturday, June 24, 2006
hi brent. i'm signed up for the clinic in san diego this weekend and won't be able to attend.
will you be doing any other forward stroke clinics in the l.a. or san diego areas in 2006?
i'm a fan of your dvd and really want to do the clinic. thanks!
david
David: I am guessing I'll do at least one more San Diego Clinic in the Fall. Sorry you can't make it. I'll catch you next time.
Thanks for the Kudos' on my film. I hope you find it helpful! Cheers, brent
Bill Walker BEATS the Wind!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Dear Brent,
I competed in my first ever kayak marathon (the Run of the Charles) in my Kayakpro Jet. 19 miles, six portages and two "wet exits" later I finished. I did about 3:35 with a 20 mph headwind for the entire distance. I passed three boats in the last mile-and your coaching was the key. I spent hours chanting " Push from the lat", "feet,feet, feet"(to help me use my legs more), and the winner "lift the elbow".
I chased one boat in front of me for 90 minutes before I finally overtook him in the headwinds.
I could tell that he was not using your methods, and I bet that the headwinds would hurt him more than me-and it worked out, as I caught him and dropped him with 200 yards to go.
I also beat another member of my kayak race club for the first time -by 10 minutes. He's my age, and has the same boat so it was especially satisfying to finally beat him!
Even a rather crude implementation of your methods was successful for me.
thanks again,
bill walker
Richard from Wisconsin
Friday, June 09, 2006
Brent, I'm Richard, the old guy who lives out by Dodgeville and who was fortunate enough to be a part of your clinic last Saturday. It was one of the best clinics on anything I've ever attended and I want to take another of your courses next year. I had the whole wrong approach to paddling and you surely set me on the right course. I've been out twice since and had no confusion as how to go about paddling properly. However, I seemed to get so much power from the strokes that the front of the boat whipped back and forth especially when the wind was behind me. I felt like I was driving a muscle car. Is this bad and, if so, how might I correct it? I have a 30 pound kayak, by the way. Any advice would be appreciated. Richard Zimmer, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
Hey Richard, First, Thanks for the Kudos’s on my teaching results! Now to your issue: The “dragster” feeling you are having is more than likely, a result of initiating The Catch too far away from the side (gunwale) of the boat. In other words, you need to try to get the blade in the water with a vertical bladeface and have it enter the water right next to the side of the boat. Due to the torso rotation, the blade’s “flight-path” tends to move it away from the side of the boat as you rotate. If you start with the blade a ways away from the side of the boat at the beginning of the stroke, by the time it gets to the end of the stroke it’s moved too far away from the side of the boat and has transformed from a POWER Stroke to a TURNING Stroke. Additionally, your boat is pretty short, (if I recall correctly). That aids in its light weight, but it does not do a lot for its Tracking Ability. So, the combination of initiating the stroke to far away AND having a short boat that may not track really well, will create the Side-To-Side issue you are experiencing. Try out my suggestion and then let me know how it’s going! It was great to have you in my Class Richard. I always love turning folks on to my sport! Cheers, b
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