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Title: Technical question - lead stroker paddling length/size Post by: enoki on March 27, 2009, 11:18:22 AM Hi, I'm looking for comments/suggestions to the following issue.
What is the ideal height size/paddle reach for your lead strokers? Typically we have used lighter shorter women or guys in this position, some as short as 5'3". Us taller folk usually sit in the middle/back. Here is the problem I run into: The small-sized strokers have shorter strokes. During the starting "ramp ups" and "finish ups" people my size (6' 2") cannot get a good full clean stroke due to keeping up to the shorter paddling during the fast rate. Is there an ideal (or better) size for your front strokers? Anyone try putting someone tall with a long stroke up front? Did it make a difference? Any tips for how us taller folk can keep up with a good full clean powerful stroke under such conditions? Title: Re: Technical question - lead stroker paddling length/size Post by: paddlecwazy on March 27, 2009, 02:38:31 PM I'm no expert, but I don't think the issue is paddle length.. a longer paddle won't necessarily make for a longer stroke.
I think the problem is stroke length... if you can't keep up with the stroke rate then you may well be pulling back to far... if you're coming back much past your knee than I would say you're coming back too far. I always found that if I was having trouble keeping up with a rate than I was pulling too far back, not that the fronts weren't pulling back far enough. If you have to shorten your stroke to catch up, make sure you cut off the back part of the stroke, not the front as that's where the majority of the power is generated. As well, the water is "heavier" up the front of the boat, so their stroke is going to be shorter for the same pulling time when compared to the back of the boat. Next time you're in the boat, try and focus your timing on the exit as well as the catch. It's just as important for everyone in the boat to exit at the same time as it is for them to enter at the same time. |