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9.1 Six paddlers in the canoe - who does what?
Six paddlers in the canoe all working in unison, but each
with a role to play. Each paddler from seat number 1-5,
paddles alternately on the opposite side from each other.
9.2 Stroke and Number Two
The stroke sits in the very front seat of the canoe. Paddlers
one and two, are primarily concerned with ensuring the rhythm
and pace of the paddle strokes, which seats, three through
five follow.
They paddle on opposite sides and as such neither has a
paddle to follow. The stroke at the front of the canoe must
set a more or less consistent pace which varies according
to the nature of the race and water conditions, but usually
between 65-75 strokes/minute, whilst the paddler behind
in number two seat, must follow in perfect time, mirroring
the strokes pace so as the power distribution remains equal
and synchronised down the length of the canoe.
The stroke's job is crucial in ensuring the consistency
of the crew working at an optimum pace and rhythm. When
rounding markers, the stroke and number two work together
to turn the front of the canoe.
9.3 Seats Three and Four
Often referred to as Power Seats, the heavier, stronger
paddlers will generally take these positions. It is their
primary task to provide the brute power required to push
the canoe along. Number four seat generally takes responsibility
for ensuring the canoe remains as dry as possible, bailing
when needs be.
9.4 Seat Five
Again a power seat but also needs to have knowledge of steering
to assist the steerer when necessary. They are also referred
to as the keeper of the ama. This entails that they must
eyeball the ama (the outer float) to make sure it is stable.
If it looks at any time to be lifting threatening capsize,
they must quickly react to save it. Failing this, numbers
three and four need to recognise the predicament and also
try to save a capsize. Number five must also take responsibility
for bailing if required should there be an excess of water
in the canoe as by the time water is collecting towards
the aft end of the canoe, there is definitely too much water
inboard.
9.5 Steerer
The steerer, who is ideally the captain of the canoe calls
the shots, motivates the crew and sets the canoe up for
the best coarse and catching the swells. They plan and navigate
a course and have a big responsibility during sprint races,
where they must set the canoe up for a good turn around
the buoys.
They need to have a good paddling relationship with number
5 in protecting the ama and indeed with all the crew. Steering
a 40ft plus canoe on the open ocean in rough water is an
art form. Those that learn their trade well can be considered
masters of a task which requires intimate understanding
of the dynamics of the ocean and the nuances of the canoe
and crew.
9.6 What are the characteristics of a good stroke?
Being stroke is first and foremost psychologically challenging
as they have the position of not being able to follow anyone
and must therefore remain at all times self motivated and
alert. In many respects their role is mentally more challenging
than any other in the canoe, with the exception of the steerer.
They must have a natural sense of timing and rhythm and
have eyes in the backs of their head, being able to intuitively
feel how the canoe is travelling and respond by increasing
and decreasing the stroke rate where necessary. They need
to be aerobically very fit as they may not pull as much
water as those behind but they will be working hard on an
aerobic level. Above all they need to be good natural athletes
with a capacity to read the water and have an understanding
of what the paddlers behind can tolerate as an effective,
efficient stroke rate.
Some crews have the stroke count the number of strokes per
minute and call out when it is time for the crew to switch
sides (around 15 - 18 strokes) whilst others will rely on
number two.
9.7 What are the characteristics of a good number 2 paddler?
Much like the stroke, a good sense of timing and rhythm.
It is crucial that number 2 stay in time with the stroke,
made all the harder by the fact that they cannot actually
follow a blade in front of them, but only the paddlers body
movement. Number 2 needs to talk to the stroke to encourage
and keep them on task at all times. A good paddling relationship
at the front of the canoe will ensure the rest of the canoe
is firing well. Numbers 1 and 2 are the source and all that
happens here, travels back along the canoe.
Number two will often take responsibility for counting the
number of strokes per side and call out when it is time
to switch sides. They should also be in a position to note
how the stroke rate is going, in terms of number per minute
and therefore can prompt the stroke if needs be if the rate
seems to slow or fast.
9.8 Why are paddlers 3 and 4 often the
heaviest and strongest paddlers?
In order to create a stable canoe, it is preferable to
have your heaviest paddlers in the middle of the canoe between
the two spars (iako). In this way their weight stabilises
the canoe by ensuring that it sits reasonably deep in this
mid section and therefore that the float (ama) on the outer
spar (iako) maintains contact with the water.
Ideally three and four need to be concerned with little
else, other than following the front two paddlers and applying
maximum leverage. Beyond this,the canoe is widest at its
mid point and therefore physically large paddlers can fit
in these seats but often have trouble fitting into seats
1 or 2!
9.9 Why does number 4 take responsibility for bailing?
When water enters the canoe it will tend to pool first of
all in the mid section of the canoe. Number 4 can recognise
this and react by bailing. They can also sit up on the spar
(iako) to do so, so that the canoe remains stable whilst
they do this.
9.10 So when does number 5 bail?
When there is a serious amount of water and the pool has
extended to the rear of the canoe.
9.11 What are the characteristics of a good number 5 paddler?
The number five paddler has a varied role and perhaps needs
to be the most all around paddler. They should ideally be
competent steerers and of course strong paddlers. They need
to be able to be totally flexible in their paddling ability,
so as they can eyeball the ama and protect it and change
paddling sides rapidly and frequently if needs be.They may
also need to paddle for long stretches at a time, much like
the steerer, on the left side to protect the ama, so as
the steerer can concentrate on steering. Their reactions
must at all times be fully intuitive, working in with the
steerer when it is needed.
9.12 What are the characteristics of a good steerer?
The steerer has without question the greatest degree of
responsibility within the canoe, one that is often overlooked
by other paddlers. They must steer a good coarse, read the
ocean and work the canoe so its interacts and travels at
its maximum potential at all times. They most motivate the
crew, call changes to stroke rates if they feel it necessary
and ensure the overall safety of the canoe.
Experience counts for a lot in this position. Time on the
water in all conditions is crucial and an intuitive understanding
of ocean dynamics is crucial to achieving maximum canoe
speed. In this respect it is said that surfers often make
the best steerers. Curiously the best steerers happen also
to be more and more so, excellent solo outrigger canoeists.
9.13 How important are timing and rhythm
to the crews performance?
One of the fundamental secrets to making an outrigger
canoe travel well, is precision of the crews timing and
rhythm. All paddles entering and exiting the water at the
same time, all paddlers pulling in unison and all using
the same technique. The power from the paddles which travels
from the paddle along the paddlers arms to their butts,
is what drives the canoe forward and the power surge must
be synchronised. Time in the canoe as a crew working on
these fundamentals are paramount.
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