Roll

I learned how to roll after 3 years of instruction.  Paul finally figured out how to get it through my thick head last winter at the UMCP pool sessions.  I loved it!  I had not been in a kayak for 5 months when this assessment occurred and rolling wasn't as easy this time!  I call this the ro...rol...rolllll!  Not very pretty!

Pivot

Pivoting is turning in place.

Brace

Braces keep you and your qajaq upright.  Learning to use them helps in choppy seas and enables rolls.  I feel very uncomfortable bracing.

Rudder

Rudders are to quickly (sharply) turn the vessel.  I'm not sure where to place my hand or the blade.  I have used rear rudders to turn but not very effectively.  I'm occasionally successful with a front rudder but need instruction.

Sweeps

Sweeps are made with a long paddle motion that turns the craft.  I'm shaky on hand placement.

Back Stroke

I haven't spent that much time using the back stroke.  I know that it is the reverse of the front stroke!  I'm not sure how far back to place the paddle in the water.

Forward Stroke

I know that a forward stroke needs to be efficient to minimize injury and to maximize energy.  When using the Greenland paddle, the wrists should remain low (under the shoulder height), most of the paddle blade should sweep through the water, the body should face the direction of the paddler wants to go, 

I'm not sure when the blade should leave the water.  I think it leaves the water later than with a Euro paddle but I might have that mixed up.  

The torso twists (abs crunch) with every stroke - I don't do this unless I'm thinking about it.

These two videos are of my forward stroke.  

 

Assessments

All good teachers begin by assessing what the learner knows.  Mike had me paddle around Scott's Cove (Brighton Dam) and Paul videoed my strokes and maneuvers.  The next few posts are the videos for Mike and I to discuss where I am and figure out how to make improvements.

Introduction

I've been kayaking with my husband, Paul for about 5 years.  We love it!  It's a great sport that is easy to do in our area.  We belong to a group of kayakers that meet weekly throughout the warmer months out in the South River (Annapolis, MD) and we meet at local indoor pools throughout the winter to practice techniques such as rolling.  It's great fun and we've meet tons of really nice people!

One such person has agreed to teach me the art of qajaq (pronounced kayak). The Greenlanders are true qajaq-ers and through my instructor, Mike, I've joined another group http://www.qajaqusa.org/.  This groups mission is to keep the original  traditions alive.  

Through this blog, I plan to post videos to view my progress.