Most efficient distance paddling stroke?

[Zooport]

I will be paddling a long way this weekend and it has gotten me thinking about the most efficient stroke.  Don't need to win races, but I would like to go the farthest on the least amount of wasted energy.  I'll be with all of my old kayaking friends and a couple of them really move out on those long, narrow kayaks.  I'm the only SUPer.  I don't care if they beat me, let um wait, but I also don't want to wear myself out trying to keep up anymore than necessary. 

I use my core to paddle, bending at the waist with each stroke.  But, I've heard it said that you also need a hip twist in there too.  Is this correct?  Any good vids you can point me to?

[supLaz]

If you bend one knee during the stroke your hip will twist automatically.
Check out the SUP Forward Stroke-Segment 1-4 from Werner paddles.
This technique/ drill is the most efficient I have been seen.

The movements seems very exaggerated but completely correct .
It must be the goal.
Of course you can/should the technique adjust according to your own body proportions, everage effects and stroke rate,
optimize transferring power (short legs, long arms , upper body length etc.etc.)
The efficiency of this technique also proves as a even load distribution on the body.
Was paddling yesterday for 45 min upwind against a 20 knt breeze, it was hard but not so, I wasn't dying.
The most important is for me today, no muscle ache nowhere.

[Zooport]

Thanks, that's helpful.

[supdiscobay]

What a great four part breakdown of an efficient paddle stroke.
Thanks for posting!!!

[Twitchy]

I've found Larry Cain's videos to be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_xJ-9mF9grAKZtYT34Bmw/videos

[pdxmike]

If you click "search" on standupzone for stroke technique there's lots of good info, such as:


http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,22073.0.html


http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,21478.0.html


Personally, I like this one for getting a picture of a good stroke:





This one is also good:

[Zooport]

Thanks, PDXMike.  I like those.  No talking; just doing. 

[pdxmike]

Zooport--that's what I like about them--most helpful thing to me is seeing what a good stroke is, then putting that image in my head, so I can match it. 


And in my head, I do look exactly like those guys.  Reality may be something slightly different.

[Zooport]

And in my head, I do look exactly like those guys.  Reality may be something slightly different.

LOL.  Me too. 

[Zooport]

I've found Larry Cain's videos to be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_xJ-9mF9grAKZtYT34Bmw/videos

Yeah, that dude has one powerful stroke.  I'll be happy just getting 1/2 of his power.

[supLaz]

Zooport--that's what I like about them--most helpful thing to me is seeing what a good stroke is, then putting that image in my head, so I can match it. 


And in my head, I do look exactly like those guys.  Reality may be something slightly different.

You're right, that's exactly what I have in my head also, until I see myself in a GoPro video back, that is more than slightly different.

[Zooport]

I actually don't care that much what I look like.  I just want to have a good, efficient stroke.  I will still probably not look all that great even if I watch all of those vids over and over. 

[supLaz]

I actually don't care that much what I look like.  I just want to have a good, efficient stroke.  I will still probably not look all that great even if I watch all of those vids over and over.

If you don't care that much what you look like, you don’t see if you do something not right. Video recording is  a excellent education/correction tool, and just right in sports with very complex movements such the sup  stroke.

[Zooport]

Went for a flat water paddle behind my house this afternoon and tried the techniques in the vids everyone provided.  I can feel the difference and I think my efficiency was better, maybe even a little faster. More than anything, I'm not as tired.   Now I can see that I was not using my hips properly in my stroke.  I'm sure I still have a long way to go, but it's cool to see an improvement on the first go.   Very cool, thanks so much.

[Zooport]

I actually don't care that much what I look like.  I just want to have a good, efficient stroke.  I will still probably not look all that great even if I watch all of those vids over and over.

If you don't care that much what you look like, you don’t see if you do something not right. Video recording is  a excellent education/correction tool, and just right in sports with very complex movements such the sup  stroke.

Maybe I'm afraid to look!