For single blade canoe paddling (competitive or otherwise), how do the
high kneel and seated positions compare in paddling speed and efficiency?

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Timothy J. Lee
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Kneeling affords better control, a lower centre of gravity and seems a
little faster. Not as comfortable though.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Kneeling affords better control, a lower centre of gravity and seems a
little faster. Not as comfortable though.


While seated affords longer offside reaches, longer and deeper paddle
strokes, and less stress on your lower back.

--riverman

On 24 Jan 2006 06:06:02 -0800, wrote:

Kneeling affords better control, a lower centre of gravity and seems a
little faster. Not as comfortable though.

High kneeling is less stable due to a higher center of gravity, allows
longer, stronger strokes and is very difficult to master for
competition (mostly because the boats are so tender).

Seated paddling usually has a lower center of gravity (unless the seat
is set way high), In seated paddling, the ability to keep the feet
seperated allows for easier control of balance, everything else being
the same.

k.pearson wrote:
On 24 Jan 2006 06:06:02 -0800, wrote:

Kneeling affords better control, a lower centre of gravity and seems a
little faster. Not as comfortable though.

High kneeling is less stable due to a higher center of gravity, allows
longer, stronger strokes and is very difficult to master for
competition (mostly because the boats are so tender).
OK ... We are obviously talking about a different boat. For the
Grummans, Old Towns, Chestnuts and most boats that come with a cane
type seat; while kneeling, the centre of gravity will be lower: Contact
with the boat is much better.
This may be different in racing boats but for an open canoe in wind,
having to dodge stuff and straight paddling kneeling can't help but be
the more efficient meathod.
Direct contact is with the knees on the inside of the hull, the front
of the seat with the buttocks with he knees spread apart.
Now standard seating your feet will be flat on the bottom of the hull
and your knees will be at the same level as your hips.
Kneeling the total wieght of your feet is replaced with the lower leg
the knees and a bit of the thigh. The thigh that was once parallel to
the bottom of the boat now is lower with most of it well below the
hips. The upper body is supported in three places and spread like a
tripod allowing real purchase on the boat.
Of course I might be wrong. If so me and Bill Mason will just have to
go away and be quiet.
I am sure now I am talking about a different boat.

In a high kneel position the stroke is longer, the paddle is longer, and the
distance that the power traverls through the body to the boat is longer.
(usually seated, the hips or butt engage the canoe seat, and the drive is
transfered to the boat. This is fatiging at first. a sore back is common.
That said, the Olympic paddlers high kneel with a raised lower knee and are
quite fast.
A standard sitting position gives a quicker cadence as well as an easier
change of sides by occasionally changing sides- something not done as often
with high kneel.
Balance is different with each style. The sitting has a lower center of
gravity which usually equates with stability. However the higher center of
gravity of the high kneel actually slows the tipping and allows time for
another stroke. Visualize balancing an upturned broom in your hand, (high
c.g) and then an upturned spoon.(lower C.g.)..