When tiredness sets in, paddlers often start to look down, shoulders hunch, the stroke moves back in the water and the ‘catch’ portion of the stroke disappears, the breathing becomes slightly more restricted and timing goes out. It’s the beginning of the body trying to transfer or shut down the painful / difficult part of paddling or even the mental fatigue from the discipline required. Even before fatigue, we sometimes only have to lose our focus and it happens.

I wondered why this occurs, asked others and this is what I came up with...

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There are several blog references to the importance of creating bubble free paddle strokes related to kayaks. The Outrigger community does not seem to have the same written information. There is no doubt that paddles generating bubbles in the water are inefficient.

When looking at the water behind very skilled paddlers, there are almost no bubbles. Often with more powerful but novice paddlers there are lots of bubbles and in the beginning I thought, “My, they are so strong they are cavitating the water.“  That is not the case.

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Imre Kemecsey has published a set of Relaxation and Mental Training exercises designed to help the Kayak paddler to integrate the Power Circle techniques.  These techniques and the exercises are equally applicable to the surfski and also have much to offer any paddling discipline.

The exercises, like any other exercise MUST be practiced to be effective. They are available in the Download section of this website under the folder Imre Kemecsey.

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A new book by Imre Kemecsey Web of Kayaking: The Inner Structure of the Kayak Technique is published and available from this web site.  Imre's holistic approach to the paddler, paddle, boat and water as a unit is unique and much of the conceptual idea of propelling a boat forward is transferable between disciplines. This 28 page book is highly recommended for understanding the advanced paddling technique. Many of the concepts outlined in Imre's book are epiphanies about paddle technique.

This book is available for download from this web site by clicking on the following link: Web of Kayaking: The Inner Structure of the Kayak Technique in the Downloads section under Technique.

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GUIDE If you are reading this guide, you have survived at least a season of outrigger canoeing and have decided to continue in this great sport. This guide is designed to follow the introductory issue and will elaborate on some of the less obvious aspects of the sport.

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Catching Runners (written about small boat paddling in Hawaii)

Sometimes you can catapult over them, but more so, it is best to connect and link them up, especially at an angle, for the swell you're on will diminish, while the swell in front builds up, so you're constantly zig zagging hooking up and connecting

Of course, the swells never slowly pass beneath them, for they are traveling much faster
than the swells making connections all the time. 

Unlike waves of the shoreline, where you're always looking back to catch the wave building up behind you, waves of the ocean are usually caught by chasing down the runners building up in front of you.  So you're always looking in front of you and side to side, searching for something to hop on as the wave you're on loses power.  Never look behind, or you'll be terrified.

Maybe you have been paddling Hawaiian outrigger canoes for years but have never had the opportunity to steer. Doubtless you've wondered what is so difficult about being the rudderman and why your new seat six can't keep the boat pointed at the right island.