About The Tutorials

The following tutorials describe how I paddle a long boat. I’ve been paddling long boats for over 15 years and have developed my own technique, which I call The Core Method. Although I’ve developed this to paddle long boats more efficiently, almost every technique I cover also works for normal boats. However, the shorter the boat, the less relevant it becomes. It’s not very useful if you only paddle tiny playboats.

About The Core Method of Paddling

Many of the concepts from the Core Method are different or even contradict what you have may learned in the past. Basically, the difference between my paddling style and the “standard” paddling style boils down to a few things:

Everything is powered by large muscles. The average boater paddles by using the small muscle groups in the arm. It’s much more efficient to use the large muscle groups of the stomach, back, and legs. This is accomplished mostly through proper torso rotation. Even though a lot of paddlers and instructors talk about using “torso rotation”, few exploit it to its full potential.
It’s harder. There’s a reason everyone doesn’t paddle like this. It just takes more work. You have to twist your body in ways that are uncomfortable at first. It takes more balance. However, the payoffs are well worth it. You gain much more control over your boat and have more power. It just takes a little work on your part to learn something new.
It’s faster. In the Core Method, you're always paddling faster than the current, driving your boat where you want it to go. This is in contrast to the way most paddlers float at the same speed as the current.
The motions are more exaggerated. Most people paddle with their arms tucked into a cozy little zone around their body. Some teach that you want to stay within the “paddler’s box” at all times. My technique gets way out of the box. It involves getting your arms way out there. Reaching out means getting better leverage with each stroke and paddling more efficiently.

The Core Method Philosophy

It’s like yoga.

At the heart of the Core Method is a mindfulness of body as you paddle, even in the most mundane actions, like a forward stroke in flat water. Ask yourself, why does this body movement work?

It’s a never ending quest for knowledge.

Each paddling excursion should be a new learning experience. Every time I go out on the river, I try to learn at least one new thing about paddling, no matter how small. Many paddlers only paddle through the rapids, and float through the easy stuff. Use these “boring” areas as an opportunity to improve your skills. Catch micro eddies, try tough ferries, turn the river into an impromptu slalom course.

It doesn’t have to be about running difficult whitewater.

Some paddlers have the mistaken idea that the end goal of whitewater kayaking is to paddle the most difficult rapids you can. Even worse, some people think this should be done in the smallest playboat possible. This attitude on paddling is just not sustainable and leads to boater burnout. Any adrenaline crazed boater with a few months of experience can huck their meat over a 50 foot waterfall. The true skill in paddling comes in running rapids gracefully. There’s more to life than Class V. By paddling mindfully, an accomplished class V kayaker can challenge themselves on Class II.

There’s more to paddling than just creek boating and play boating.

These are the two areas that are currently in style now, but represent a small portion of the whitewater world. There’s tons of different disciplines in whitewater, each taking decades to master. Sub-sports like, slalom racing, squirt boating, attainment paddling, C-1ing, open boating, down river racing, long playboats, rafting, long boat cruisers, just to name a few. I’ve learned things from each of these areas and have been able to apply them to general whitewater kayaking.

Paddle as many different boats as you can.

I wouldn’t be the paddler I am today if I didn’t paddle all different kinds of boats. Right now, in my backyard I have: 2 downriver race boats, a 13 foot glass boat, a squirt boat, a mid-nineties playboat (Savage Scorpian), an open boat, a creek boat, a Tornado, a Dagger Response, a Hydra Dragonfly, a C-1, and a flatwater rowing shell. I paddle them all on a regular basis. If you’ve been paddling for awhile, one of the best ways to enjoy whitewater is by experiencing as many different crafts as you can.

So, borrow you’re buddies open boat, row a raft on an overnighter and scan your local Craigslist for that funky old squirt boat. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you’ll have learning something new.

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