How Bad Is My Paddling?

I was curious how bad my paddle strokes are. I was out on my local waters trying out my new paddle. Eh, I should've made my paddle a little narrower. Anyhow I thought I'd try to record my paddle strokes, maybe for a funny video, or if I'm lucky enough someone may say that it isn't so bad. I do go in a straight line.

Any advice, or laughter, is welcome. Y'all don't me
anyhow.
I hope these links work.
Roy

I'm really not one to judge as I'm sure I could use some more practice, but if it works for you and you're enjoying yourself, I'd say you're doing fine. If you want to try something different that should improve efficiency, try turning your wrist down instead of up at the end of your stroke. You're doing a "goon" - which works and I use it myself occasionally, but a "J" (turning the wrist down) won't rob momentum.

Yep, nothing wrong but you'll do yourself a big favor by learning the J-stroke.

Links work great and you'll probably want to refine technique if you'll be wearing fancy costumes and trying to make boats dance to the music or maneuvering in really technical rapids but, for the rest of us, if the boat goes where you want it to go, when you'd like it to go there, you're doin' ok.

Yes, you're doing a "goon" stroke but it's a great illustration of a "goon" stroke... I J-stroke because that's what I was taught and muscle memory will not allow otherwise so watching the thumb go up and ending in a pry feels unnatural even when just watching... I'll have to try it next time I'm on the water. (I expect that it'll freak me out about as much as turning the thumb down will freak you out)

It is, however, an excuse to get out and paddle (for science, you know) so there's that... Enjoy.

Welcome to the forum Roybrew. Your paddling is as good as you want it to be. No one is watching.

What everyone says above is fine, especially Gamma and others with regard to "goon" as rudder VS J stroke. For beginners first learning to go forward with some modicum of control to where they want to go in a straight line, the thumb up goon is a rudder that will get them there. Teaching that method to beginners is often done as a confidence builder for getting in control of the canoe for forward direction. The trick after that is accomplished is to transition them comfortably to a proper thumbs down J, which will then lend itself much better to transitioning the paddle to other fine control or more advanced strokes, as well as minimizing the need for an end of stroke pause to drag the goon rudder behind you. The J, initially feeling unnatural, will become automatic and primary with practice.

I also note that at the end of the stroke, the paddle is lifting water, which is unnecessary and a sapper of energy after a long day of paddling. Most of the power of a stroke is obtained in the first 18-24 inches after the catch, and dragging the paddle back beyond the hip is soething else to work on avoiding.

A couple comments….
1. try to get your paddle shaft a bit more vertical by moving your grip hand over or outside the rails. This will necessitate…
2. …Using a bit of torso rotation when reaching forward for the plant (initial entry of paddle in the water)

Power should be applied ahead of your knees and if you carry the stoke back, that part should be easier and contain the thumb down correction. Blade is most effective within 12” of vertical…before and after that position you are pushing down or lifting up so try to get it vertical at the plant and through the power phase.

These things are efficiency goals to work toward but all need only be done to the limits of YOUR biomechanics….what you’re doing is fine for “lily dipping” in ideal conditions as in your clips.

Best tip of all….enjoy yourself! Excellence does not require perfection.

Great advice, thank you all. We may take the tandom canoe out tomorrow. We rode bicycles today and put in 20 miles, so if my paddling partner is up and rearing to go in the morning, we'll take it out.

I'll work on it.
Roy