Re: Newbie questions

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Posted by stro on 13:07:15 29/04/08

In Reply to: Newbie questions posted by Kevin Whilden

: So I finally received my Soft Ninja and had it out on the South Fork of the American out in Cali. I had a great time, found a good learning mystery spot with roadside access, and didn't lose feeling in my legs (although my big toe knuckles and ankles are still a little sore).
:
: Since I'm basically learning on my own, without any fellow paddlers, I would appreciate a few answers to some questions from the experienced people on this board.
:
: 1. What is your best outfitting trick to make your boat more comfortable and/or controllable?

Make your seat pad very thin, this'll allow more room for your legs to get in the boat.

Cut the front wall, make a block for in front of your feet or for your feet to rest on. Use the the rest of the wall but put a tether on it so it can be easily removed.

:
: 2. Do you wear a lifevest on the water? I had a relatively low volume touring vest, and it felt like it completely messed with my roll and my ability to move gracefully under water. I would appreciate recommendations on a better lifevest.

I use nothing, or a floatation aid, aka no float most of the time unless rules require you to have a CG approved PFD. Slalom vest have less floation than most pfd's. If you can find a level 6, those have removeable floation so you can dial the amount of floatation for the situation.
:
: 3. How do I start learning how to cartwheel? I could do some very low angle cartwheels, and could get one end going from a vertical bow stall the stern. However I wasn't in control and couldn't figure out how to get a second end.

The squirt book and videos can be quite helpful for all these moves. Try to get comfortable in your bow station. Once you're balanced on your bow, use the trapped bouyancy and a slap sweep to release the bow and sink the stern. To sink the bow again you'll need to do smash stroke, which is a back face of the paddle downward pry. Some of the top dogs do a powerface smash which had eluded me now for two decades.

Hope this helps.

stro

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Re: Newbie questions - Angst 12:10:29 04/05/08 (0)

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Comments:	: : So I finally received my Soft Ninja and had it out on the South Fork of the American out in Cali. I had a great time, found a good learning mystery spot with roadside access, and didn't lose feeling in my legs (although my big toe knuckles and ankles are still a little sore). : : : : Since I'm basically learning on my own, without any fellow paddlers, I would appreciate a few answers to some questions from the experienced people on this board. : : : : 1. What is your best outfitting trick to make your boat more comfortable and/or controllable? : : Make your seat pad very thin, this'll allow more room for your legs to get in the boat. : : Cut the front wall, make a block for in front of your feet or for your feet to rest on. Use the the rest of the wall but put a tether on it so it can be easily removed. : : : : : 2. Do you wear a lifevest on the water? I had a relatively low volume touring vest, and it felt like it completely messed with my roll and my ability to move gracefully under water. I would appreciate recommendations on a better lifevest. : : I use nothing, or a floatation aid, aka no float most of the time unless rules require you to have a CG approved PFD. Slalom vest have less floation than most pfd's. If you can find a level 6, those have removeable floation so you can dial the amount of floatation for the situation. : : : : 3. How do I start learning how to cartwheel? I could do some very low angle cartwheels, and could get one end going from a vertical bow stall the stern. However I wasn't in control and couldn't figure out how to get a second end. : : The squirt book and videos can be quite helpful for all these moves. Try to get comfortable in your bow station. Once you're balanced on your bow, use the trapped bouyancy and a slap sweep to release the bow and sink the stern. To sink the bow again you'll need to do smash stroke, which is a back face of the paddle downward pry. Some of the top dogs do a powerface smash which had eluded me now for two decades. : : Hope this helps. : : stro : : :
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