i be strokin’
Published December 12, 2007 | 
Have you ever made love on the back seat of a car
I remember one time I made love on the back seat of a car
And the police came and shined his light on me, and I said:
‘I’m strokin’, that’s what I’m doin’, I be strokin”
- Clearance Carter
Winter pool sessions also give you time to work on some other skills that may not make your summer priority list. In my opinion learning to swim proficiently with your paddle in hand is one of those skills every kayaker should have. I try to do a few laps each time I go to the pool. Yeah, it’s a workout! The trick here is to figure out how your paddle moves through the water. My Werner Ikelos moves differently than my old Lendals did which means my swimming stroke also changes. When swimming with your paddle you need to figure out the most proficient way to propel yourself and to get a clean exit with the other blade. (just like being IN your kayak). I’ve noticed a high angle blade is still a high angle blade when swimming as well. Kick your feet. You’re body moves through the water differently than swimming normally. I noticed I have a tendency to let my body sink more since the paddle stroke has some lift. Being mindful of keeping your back straight and kicking will help with that. Once you figure it all out you can really fly through the water, which can be a good thing for that time you actually DID let go of your boat.
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5 Responses to i be strokin’
Interesting. I do a similar exercise when in the pool, however, I am on my back. I find it easier to propel myself in this position, and the pfd seems to be more efficient than when I am on my belly.
you know, last night was the first time i tried it as a back stroke and I was having all sorts of problems with the blade diving. . . Obviously I’m just not getting it quite right.
Try swimming while wearing your kayak. Your feet won’t drag.
I also find it easier to paddle on my back. Less energy sapping than on my front, breathing is easier, less water in your face, particularly when chasing after my surf kayak back through the surf!
Yep, riding on my back, with the smooth back of the PFD in the water has been the best way for me. I’m traveling backwards tho, and it is more like the stroke when paddling backwards. More of a pushing. And that’s with a GP. When I flop over on my front, I find that the more I keep my head down and stay in the water it works better. Just breath every other stroke or so. I haven’t achieved any blistering speeds with either version yet tho–so I hope I’m never trying to chase my windblown kayak with this. Might as well drop my paddle and SWIM, knowing I have a spare on the back of the kayak and hope to find the other one later.