Part 2 - Use of offside edge carve, the concept behind it and conserving momentum.
So far in this series we have looked at.
- key elements to an upstream gate
- approach line
- Started to thing about and cover momentum.
Section 1 - Theory
Lets now say we now know our line in, we know how much turn we are wanting as we cross the inside pole, and the momentum we have converted with this line in so the boat and out hips are now in a position to move us up though the gate line.
This I now the time we look more into what we do around the up. Again, I wont focus as much on stokes, but more about boat movement and in this article especially about how we use the water to help us.
As in anything to get better we have to break it down first and go back to basics. One thing coaches have often told me in canoe slalom is that a flat boat is very important! I don’t know if you had been told the same, but often I was never told why! In many descriptions of Upstream technique we are told to keep a flat boat or offside edge. I had better define some terms here. A flat boat, is easy, it’s a boat perfectly level with the waterline. Offside edge (sometimes called outside edge) is when the boat is we are edgeing away from the direction we are turning, and inside edge is when we are edgeing into the way we are turning.
So far in this series we have looked at.
- key elements to an upstream gate
- approach line
- Started to thing about and cover momentum.
Section 1 - Theory
Lets now say we now know our line in, we know how much turn we are wanting as we cross the inside pole, and the momentum we have converted with this line in so the boat and out hips are now in a position to move us up though the gate line.
This I now the time we look more into what we do around the up. Again, I wont focus as much on stokes, but more about boat movement and in this article especially about how we use the water to help us.
As in anything to get better we have to break it down first and go back to basics. One thing coaches have often told me in canoe slalom is that a flat boat is very important! I don’t know if you had been told the same, but often I was never told why! In many descriptions of Upstream technique we are told to keep a flat boat or offside edge. I had better define some terms here. A flat boat, is easy, it’s a boat perfectly level with the waterline. Offside edge (sometimes called outside edge) is when the boat is we are edgeing away from the direction we are turning, and inside edge is when we are edgeing into the way we are turning.
Now think back, we are told as beginners when first moving onto white water as we break into an eddy to lean upstream or into the turn as we cross the eddy line. Why? Generally because if we don’t we fall in. However, what also happens? As we fall in our hips move upstream!
How we have looked at this water diagram before, but its so important to know what the water is doing to understand how the boat will react, so we know what to do before we get there.
If we edge with the water flow, then the water hit’s the bottom of the boat and flows underneath it. If however we edge against the water flow, we can see that the water catches the edge of our boat pressure builds quickly and pushes us.
We can see this in the video below -
If we edge with the water flow, then the water hit’s the bottom of the boat and flows underneath it. If however we edge against the water flow, we can see that the water catches the edge of our boat pressure builds quickly and pushes us.
We can see this in the video below -
I know this video is filmed in the current and not the eddy. But we can see if we lean into the flow of water then we get pushed, and we know the flow in the eddy is the opposite to the current
If we are ready for this and this edge comes on gradually and with control. We can use this pressure of the water to push us up the eddy.
If we are ready for this and this edge comes on gradually and with control. We can use this pressure of the water to push us up the eddy.
Section 2 - Practical
So from discussing why we want to keep the boat flat, or have a little offside/outside edge, lets take a look at what I want to look for in doing an upstream.
- Flat boat in the current.
- Offside edge gradually put on as I pass over the eddy line.
- This results in a feeling of pressure on the bows ( the boat wanting to grip/turn/push up)
- This pressure is shown visually by a build up of water on the bow (spray/bubbles)
- A leaning forwards from the hips, putting the weight on the bows to increase the pressure on the bow and increase grip/push up from the eddy
- Visually seeing the seam line of the boat on the waterline and not being able to see any hull stickers around the hip area.
We can see in the above video and thinking about our theory in section 1, by using this offside edge the water is helping us get our hips above the gate line. This combined with our J line in with a lack of downstream momentum means the water is doing a lot of the work. Its turning you, and its pushing you upstream. This conserves momentum and saves energy - Both good things in canoe slalom.
This video below shows me losing my paddle in an up.
However, the up is saved despite losing the paddle to turn with.
Why?
Good line in, no downstream momentum, boat is flat, boat is naturally turning, core is locked.
This proves if we can nail all the points in the last few articles, then we don’t have to do a lot with our bow rudder. If we don’t have to do a lot with it, then we are again saving energy because we are letting the water do the work.
Final section
Here is a drill I do around a post on the flat water at HPP
This whole point of the drill is to turn 180 degrees around the post, carry as much momentum as possible and not have to do a forward drive until I am turned around the post.
Have a go both at this flat water drill and experiment with edges in your ups. Go too far, fall in, find how much edge you want. My key advice on edgeing in the context of conserving momentum is to be as gradual as possible.
Next time we will look at some more drills I use, both on the flat water and white water.
One final thing, if I am ever paddling or around on the bank, have a chat, come and say hi and ask questions, don’t be scared.
Have a go both at this flat water drill and experiment with edges in your ups. Go too far, fall in, find how much edge you want. My key advice on edgeing in the context of conserving momentum is to be as gradual as possible.
Next time we will look at some more drills I use, both on the flat water and white water.
One final thing, if I am ever paddling or around on the bank, have a chat, come and say hi and ask questions, don’t be scared.