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< SeptOct 2001
	Skills
Who said kayaking was all technique? Ken Whiting

From the beginning I was taught that kayaking is all about technique. I was told that if I used the right technique, while working with the power of the river, I'd be able to do any move that I wanted.

There is no doubt that good technique is crucial, but when it comes to performing play moves, technique alone won’t do the trick. There comes a point when you simply need to pull harder. Does this limit who can perform some of the moves? Yes, to some degree. Luckily, manufacturers recognize this and are developing kayaks that make the moves easier for all paddlers.

Good technique can allow you to apply more power to your strokes. This is where the infamous torso rotation comes in. By understanding torso rotation, you’ll be able to apply more power to your strokes, opening the door to new moves, while keeping your body safe. On the other hand, applying power while using poor technique is a sure way to wind up on the disabled list.

Torso rotation can be broken down into three actions: winding up the body, planting a pivot blade, and unwinding the body. Winding up the body means turning your upper body at the waist, so your chest no longer faces the direction your kayak does. Once your body is wound up, your paddle gets planted in the water as a pivot. From this pivot, your stomach muscles play a major role in pulling your body back to its position of rest. The act of using your stomach muscles to return your body to its position of rest is called unwinding. Think of your body as an elastic band. The more you wind it up, the more power you’ll have available. Though you don’t need to completely wind up your body for every stroke, your stomach muscles should still be involved with every stroke you take.

Let’s look at how this torso rotation applies to one of the most practiced moves: the flatwater cartwheel. Our focus: how torso rotation provides the power to make this move happen. The flatwater cartwheel is initiated with a double pump, a technique used to pull your bow into the air to have more energy to throw the bow downward. Here’s how this works: Tilt your kayak right up on edge and shift your weight back as you take a forward sweep stroke that pulls your bow into the air. Once in the air, you can’t afford to hesitate before throwing the bow down. The power you’ll need to throw your bow underwater can only be found through torso rotation. Turn your whole upper body so your chest faces the water and plant a backstroke just behind your hip. A rule of thumb: your hands should always stay in front of your shoulders. This will keep your shoulders safe and force your body to rotate for any strokes behind your hip. You can now unwind your body by pushing off the paddle and pulling your legs down using your stomach muscles. Once your legs have caught up with your upper body, it’s time to wind up your body once again and get to the next stroke. The key: leading the way with your head and upper body, staying ahead of your kayak’s progression. If you don’t go for your next stroke early enough, you’ll fall behind your kayak, and struggle to reach your next stroke. This results in a rushed stroke, where your body isn’t adequately wound up, and less power to keep the cartwheel going. What does all this demonstrate? That technique is absolutely crucial--but often good technique simply allows for more power.

--1997 World Kayak Rodeo Champion Ken Whiting is the co-producer of several instructional videos, including the recently released Liquid Skills.