The basics of OC1 paddle techniques
The muscles and body parts used
After analysis, the OC1 stroke is an assimilation of known paddling techniques. Canoeing: shoulders, arms and upper body. Surfski, kayak or flatwater racing: legs and hips.
In this article, to explain the paddle stroke, we will consider the upper hand (the one holding the grip), the lower hand (holding the handle), the upper body, the lower arm and the upper arm (with respect to each hand) as well as the hips and the legs.
An effective paddle stroke explained in four phases: (Upper hand, lower hand, position)
- P1 : Load
The upper body leans forward slightly (shoulders above the hips).
Starting position for rotation of the shoulders, upper body and hips: forward movement of the side of the lower hand.
The leg on the lower hand side is flexed (hip forward) and the other leg is tensed.
The upper arm is 1/3 bent.
The upper hand is vertically in line with the lower hand
The lower arm is tense but not extended as far as it will go (+/- 170° angle)
The lower hand is close to the canoe