calling occupants of interplanetary craft or a look at bow rudders
Published December 12, 2006 | 
In your mind you have abilities you know
To telepath messages through the vast unknown
Please close your eyes and concentrate
With every thought you think
Upon the recitation we’re about to sing
To telepath messages through the vast unknown
Please close your eyes and concentrate
With every thought you think
Upon the recitation we’re about to sing
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft
Calling occupants of interplanetary, most extraordinary craft
- Klaatu
Ok coaches, So here are 4 pictures of bow rudders. Which position is correct? A bow rudder of course is a way to turn your kayak quickly on the move while doing as little as possible to slow down the kayak. When I first learned a bow rudder I was taught to put the paddle shaft against my shoulder and lean forward. The logic was that your shoulder would give support against the force on the blade. Especially when riding down a wave. Then later I was shown how if you rest your arm against your head your blade tends to stay closer to the hull and comes back closer to the midpoint of your boat. So not so much a bow rudder as a midway-to-the-bow rudder. At this position my rudders became much sharper. Now I could get a 180 out of the boat without too much trouble. Often these days I’m a bit lazier and just hold my arm a bit forward of the shoulder which gives the same effect but does not give you the support against your body. It’s easy to drop the shaft against my body then if I need that support. I also learned that sitting forward does not mean leaning WAY forward, but just getting your weight a bit forward to allow the tail to slip around a bit easier. Of course when you get this all down, then you can toss in your edge to add more spin to the craft. Any thoughts?
This of course is our new little Romany with it’s many, many scars. I’ve got to get rid of that yellow bungie. YUK!!
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10 Responses to calling occupants of interplanetary craft or a look at bow rudders
How about some video? I can read about some things till I’m blue in the face, but until I see it, it doesn’t make sense.
good point. I’ve got lots of stuff archived for a strokes “video” for the site. Just not done yet.
In whitewater boats, I do the arm on forehead method to transition from a hanging draw to bow rudder to a forward stroke in order to carve into eddies. In sea kayaks, I also do similar positions but if I’m trying to really turn the kayak with the bow rudder versus a slight adjustment, the arm comes down a little to face or even chin level.
no, too tecnical.
what about offering free drink to encourage pool pals?
Hello Derrick,
I was told to hold the upper hand over my forehead just to keep the vision, but never to let it rest against it.
Edge the boat on the other side as you lean forward, and see what happens.
Rules, shmules. All of the above.
I with you… that is those wanting No Rules and pool-side drinks!
As for the bow steering, I always thought the idea was to plant your paddle a bit ahead, then treat it like a post to swing the boat around.
Now, where’s that drink!
Hello Michael,
That would be a high telemark turn.
As a BCU coach I cannot resist to put in my comment on the bow rudder… Probably the best bow rudder is one that works best for you, while it is still executed in a safe manner. That is a useful comment don’t you think? Nigel Foster does his bow rudder near the middle of the kayak (not far in front). And I have seen Simon Osborne do a bow rudder edging towards the paddle side while crossing strong eddylines in a tide race (looks very unstable) but it works. On ‘flat’ water edging is mostly done away from the paddle side. Finally locking your fore-arm against the head/shoulder is not a good idea, because one then has no room for absorbing pressure changes on the blade. I change my blade angle during the bow rudder to keep the water pressure equal throughout the manouevre. More on the bow rudder in my upcoming 1000 page booklet. Or someone shoots a video, which is the same as the 1000 pages (Each pictureframe is a 1000 words…)
Of course, Derrick, you are edging correctly, It’s the outside side, away from the paddle. I just fancied the idea of you trying it otherwise, in the next pool session.
Other clue that I keep, is to push with the foot opposite to the paddle.
Excellent post!