Training with different paddles

[chiang]

Hi all,

I wanted to know if anyone trains with one paddle and competes with another, i.e. the training paddle is heavier and longer.

I understand that if the training paddle is heavier, then one could possibly get a more efficient stroke rate with the lighter one. Does anyone know or have experience with training with a longer (and heavier) paddle and competing with a shorter (and lighter) paddle.

I am in the process of deciding what length I would like to put for my training paddle which is heavier than my playing paddle. I was thinking of making it 2-4cm longer than my regular paddle, but what I want to know if this is really a good idea or would it just mess with my muscle memory that I have built for my regular paddle.

On a slightly different topic, has anyone ever trained by putting some extra weights inside the cockpit of the kayak? Is this an efficient method as well? I have considered using something like a weight one would find at a gym...maybe 25 extra pounds (~10 kg). Would this extra weight be bad for the polo boats?

Thanks for any feedback,
--TC

[benwickland]

Hi Chiang,


For extra weight, - just play with water in your boat - it will be a lot easier than finding gym weights - and no problem with damage either.

[mrplaybus]

I would have said that trying to keep your paddle weight, length, shaft and blade shape the same so that you don't have to spend time acclaimatising to the paddle at the start of a competition.

I regularly end up with water in the boat (old deck) and would say that if you want to addweight to your boat this is an easy way to do it. it can however give your boat interesting handling traits!!

have fun
laters
a :-)

[Henrik - Norway]

I would say that the best thing is to stay with the same weight, shape and lenght on you paddle allways. The thing that I have noticed is that in Polo you get a very slow frequense based on the slow movement on the boat. The muschels function better on a slightly higher frequency. I use a DD paddle 2,00 metres, and I am 1,78 metres high. I feel that the frequency with this paddle is also getting a bit to low.

So what I will do this summer, based on the fact that I am an old flatwater padler, is to "ovetrain" my frequency in a sprint flatwater boat since the boat moves a lot faster.

Just a thought.....

[tyler]

carefull with the weight,
if you put to much weight in your boat you might have trouble keeping the nose above the water.
I had this happen paddeling the evolution (a bit to small for me) as soon as I put even a water bottle in it was impossible for me to do long endurance paddles because it's to much work keeping your boat goeing forward!
:twocents:

[Nigel Alltimes]

On a similar theme - how do you decide on the feather angle?

I have just starting playing again (after more years than the age of some of the other players in the club) and am trying to find my feet and thinking about buying some paddles.

I have been playing around with my river paddles and thinking how much easier it would be to control the ball on the right side with different feathering, but am wondering how to get the right angle right.

Any suggestions?

[mrplaybus]

My river blades are 45 but my polo blades are 70 degrees. Try some different angles and see what you think. Not sure I'd try anything too low but we'll see what happens in the future!!

have fun
laters
a :-)

[benwickland]

The best advice I have heard for setting paddle blade angle was to square the fixed blade to the water (i.e. for the right side), then take a stroke on the other side with your eyes shut. Set the blade angle so the slip side enters squarely.. You can play around to find something that works best for you.

Other than that, if you can stand 90 degrees, it is supposed to be best for goal tending because you always know what angle your blades are. However, that rule doesn't work so well if you are using curved blades like the double dutch, or you can't paddle with a 90 degree offset.

Cheers,

Ben Wickland

[Nigel Alltimes]

Hi Ben,

Thank you for your reply. I like the idea of paddling with my eyes shut - I'll give it a try. :bow: Sounds like a big bit of scary water would be a good time.

Nigel