Who is the paddle technique guru?

[RyanSurfNTurf]

So who is THE GURU for SUP paddle technique?

Who is the best in the world teaching fast, efficient paddle techniques to racers?

[stoneaxe]

Everybody that I've heard from that has taken one of Dave Kalamas camps says hes a great coach and they see big improvements. One of these days I'll get to one.

[PonoBill]

Kalama. Solid technique plus excellent teaching plus clever and well thought out teaching methods plus conditioning and training knowledge plus a full understanding of all the challenges (physical and mental) all coming from a guy who has been there, done that.

[H2Oman]

Starting in March QuickBlade will be offering personal training in-house with the new Flume trainer

http://supcontender.com/index.php/en/training-menu/k2-item/item/56-quickblade-flume-sup-paddle-training-with-jim-terrell

[surfinJ]

That flume video, on continuous loop, with the sound loud, and standing on a box
with my paddle.  It works.  Thats gotta be home buildable with a kids pool.

[DavidJohn]

I've asked some of the best from down under and most of them say JM (Jamie Mitchell).

DJ

[Easy Rider]

I would have to say Dave Kalama - followed closely by Jim Terrell.

[RyanSurfNTurf]

That's a pretty sweet short list.

DK
JM
jT

Only their initials are necessary.

[SUPracer.]

I'd add Pete Dorries to the list.

Doesn't just know how to paddle, but also how to coach.

Probably not very well known overseas, but most paddlers in Aus know who Pete is.

He's in charge of our training group here on the Gold Coast (Australia), which contains probably half a dozen of the world's best.

Paul Jackson, Angie Jackson, Beau O'Brian, Jake Jensen (all Top 15 at the last Battle of the Paddle) and a bunch of others you'll probably hear more about this year. Travis Grant (World Champ) jumps in with us fairly often too. Very fortunate to have so many good paddlers in this part of the world.

I'd also say that JM has one of the slickest techniques you'll ever see, so if you ever get a chance to learn from him, jump on that as well.

[PonoBill]

Starting in March QuickBlade will be offering personal training in-house with the new Flume trainer

http://supcontender.com/index.php/en/training-menu/k2-item/item/56-quickblade-flume-sup-paddle-training-with-jim-terrell

It's interesting, but one side only and no switch. The transition is one of the things I'm constantly flubbing.

[freetobeme]

I would think one of these super paddlers would want to stake a claim on the New England area.  Maybe stay here for 2-3 months and make a bundle of cash from our new(er) passion for this sport. 

Seriously, I have to travel to NC to get professional help 

tho I hear Kalama may make an appearance here in June

[CMC]

I was extremely lucky and fortunate to paddle a 6 man race with Jamie M in seat #1.  In that race I was in #5 so directly following his paddle.

I have always been amazed by watching the best crews literally complete a race miles ahead and look like they have done no work at all, not even puffing.

In that race we beat 2nd by quite a margin, the canoe ran as smooth as I have ever felt with the most perfectly timed stroke ever.  Powerful catch, relaxed recovery, nice and short and out way before the hip.  Talking with him after the race it was his description of what he wanted to do and how he wanted us to follow that blew me away.  He verbalised it in a way that was so clear and understandable.  If he gets right into coaching one day he will be unrivalled.  Sure fitness is so important but technique even more so.

As Supracer says also I have been coached by and paddled in a 6 man race with Pete Dorries as well, his understanding of the technique and body mechanics to get you out of bad technique is great.  He would have to rate as one of the best steerers in the world also...

In addition here in this same town we have Mick Dibetta and Kelly Margetts that coach the training group that I paddle with.  Mick trained Jamie to 10 Molokai wins, Kelly top 5 at BOP and on his second ever Maliko run 5th in the Olukai race....     It sounds boastful but we are seriously spoilt here for conditions and talent to be inspired by here on the Gold Coast.  Dave and Jim trained with us last year, Gerry Lopez a week or so ago and we have Gold medal olympians regularly stopping in.  It's a breeding ground.  If you can get top 5 in a race here in the open division you have a good standing anywhere.  The best bit is average punters like me are still allowed to join in the fun.....

[prskiller]

Join a canoe club.  I've learned the Hawaiian stroke then later on the Tahitian stroke a long time ago when paddling for Napili Canoe Club.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[surf monkey]

I went to one of Dany Ching's clinics he did a great job and helped a lot of people. The guy was very cool and impressive.

[paddlestandingup]

Starting in March QuickBlade will be offering personal training in-house with the new Flume trainer

http://supcontender.com/index.php/en/training-menu/k2-item/item/56-quickblade-flume-sup-paddle-training-with-jim-terrell

It's interesting, but one side only and no switch. The transition is one of the things I'm constantly flubbing.

Danny Ching has such a fast and smooth transition.  I like the way he lets the paddle find his hand rather than the other way around.