May 28, 2007

High Brace Practice

Several drills I've used over the years to both teach and learn skills that make a better kayaker. The most familiar of which is sitting on the rear deck just behind the cockpit with legs dangling over the side. This is a great way of of practicing the low brace because it teaches you the 'instinct' to slap the water with the paddle. As this skill increases, to make it more difficult I encourage putting your feet on the front deck or in the cockpit and try to paddle around. Great way to get wet!

But how to practice the high brace and leave in that element of instability that causes you to react instantly?

This weekend I played with sitting on the rear deck, feet on the front deck and leaning back and laying down. Facing toward the sky the elbows are under the paddle in a high brace position. The least little wobble sends you rolling toward the drink where the only thing that can save you is a lightning fast high brace slap of the paddle.

I've practiced high braces on flat water many times by tipping to one side, doing the head dink and bracing back up. Very stressful on the shoulder. But this method seemed to work well without any stress at all. It won't teach you the head dink or how to brace back up, but it will teach you to make it automatic when you need it.

So, if you've mastered the low brace, can sit on the back of your kayak, and are looking for that next challenge - lay back and try and stay upright!

Woody