No you use your whole body.

Canoe or kayak? If you want more detail info, we need to know which.
Lynn

(LLutton) wrote in message ...
Canoe or kayak?

Canoes and Kayaks are generally paddled. Rowining involves an oar
that is attached to the boat. Skulls, Oar-rafts, dories, and rowboats
are rowed.

In any case, only a very poor paddler OR rower would use only his/her
arms. Done correctly both of these techniques get most of their power
from the torso and/or legs.

Randy

On a kayak, you can push with your leg (with feet on foot pads) turn your body,
push with the upper hand, and pull with the lower hand. This uses your arms,
body, and legs.

I don't canoe, but I can't visualize using your legs, and I'm not sure about
turning your body. Am I wrong about this?
Lynn

"Randy Hodges" wrote in message
om...
(LLutton) wrote in message
...
Canoe or kayak?

Canoes and Kayaks are generally paddled. Rowining involves an oar
that is attached to the boat. Skulls, Oar-rafts, dories, and rowboats
are rowed.

In any case, only a very poor paddler OR rower would use only his/her
arms. Done correctly both of these techniques get most of their power
from the torso and/or legs.


Correct, except we need to look at pushing, pulling or crabbing.

Pushing (facing the direction you are going): the force is generated in your
pecs, abs, and the muscles on the bottom of your arms. If you hook your feet
under a footboard, then your large leg muscles also help.

Pulling (your back is to the direction you are going): the force comes from
your back, your large upper arm muscles. Your legs come into play with
'power strokes' when your butt comes off the seat.

Crabbing (this is pushing, one arm at a time, facing the direction you are
going). Similar to pushing, except you give the muscles on the side of your
abdomen a better workout, and your back comes into play a bit, too. Although
this is the least efficient stroke, its the 'all-day' stroke of choice for
me. I can crabwalk for hours on end and not get tired. I know some monsters,
though, who can pull at what I consider my 90% power rate for hours....man
are those guys hard to keep up with!

--riverman