PG wrote:
Many thanks for the helpful input on my previous questions, so maybe I can
ask another one: what makes for a good paddling cadence? I've spent some
time looking at the various videos showing the forward stroke at different
web sites, and they seem to show a very fast cadence (about one complete
stroke rotation every second or even faster), while the printed advice seems
to emphasize torso rotation and gliding between the strokes. Since I tend
to focus on technique, I've been concentrating on a solid front plant (as
far forward as I can without bending the body) around the toes, a steady
rotation while keeping the paddle close to the side of the boat, and
extracting the paddle near the hip. Doing this gives me a cadence of about
one every two seconds or so.

On a measured course, I did 8 km (5 miles) in just over 1 hour (no wind or
current), and on a recent day paddle, I did 32 km (20 miles) in about 4.5
hours (10-20 kph wind headwind, for first half of trip, same as tailwind for
return). My boat is a Current Design Sqall (plastic, 16'6" long) and I'm
using Aquabound "expedition" paddles. All my paddling to date has been on
flat water, although I like to go out when the wind is up. So, is my
cadence a reasonable one for a "regular" paddler? Should I be shortening
the stroke to increase the cadence?



A hint: watch your kayak´s bow. As long as it stays steady, you are
doing fine. If you paddle too fast for your ability or pull too long
strokes, your bow starts going either up and down or moving sideways.
Then it is time to slow down/shorten the pull.

Jaakko

o~
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