(Just a little article while I sort and edit video for the next stopper article)
I always love drills to hone skills. I always have, I remember getting onto the podium programme in 2002 and with Kevin McHugh (my coach at the time) doing countless slice drills, edge drills, and a variety of other drills before we even got on the white water. I had done a lot of this as a Junior too as flat water was the only option where I lived in Bristol. Lots of physical work, lots of stroke technique and edge work.
If you have not read the up articles on this blog then I would fully recommend this. It will explain what I want from an up and the concept of offside edge in detail.
In summery though.
- We want our hips to get out hips from below the gateline to above the gateline so we can exit.
- We can achieve this through offside edge.
This set of videos shows some drills to start, then how I progress to a good upstream.
This is the end result im looking for -
I always love drills to hone skills. I always have, I remember getting onto the podium programme in 2002 and with Kevin McHugh (my coach at the time) doing countless slice drills, edge drills, and a variety of other drills before we even got on the white water. I had done a lot of this as a Junior too as flat water was the only option where I lived in Bristol. Lots of physical work, lots of stroke technique and edge work.
If you have not read the up articles on this blog then I would fully recommend this. It will explain what I want from an up and the concept of offside edge in detail.
In summery though.
- We want our hips to get out hips from below the gateline to above the gateline so we can exit.
- We can achieve this through offside edge.
This set of videos shows some drills to start, then how I progress to a good upstream.
This is the end result im looking for -
Warming up edges
To start you can see all we do is edge the boat until we feel unstable and then try to hold that amount of edge.
Offside edge carve
As we pass though the second gate we put on the offside edge and get the boat to carve. The more edge edge the sharper the turn, and if we lean forwards, this weights the bow and means the bow has more grip and thus turns better.
The reason for paddling though two gates is that we can make sure (also by using video from behind) is that it is out edge that is pushing our boat and not with any propulsion from the paddle.
Offside edge though up
The reason for paddling though two gates is that we can make sure (also by using video from behind) is that it is out edge that is pushing our boat and not with any propulsion from the paddle.
Offside edge though up
Knowing that this offside edge carves and pushes the boat we can use this.
If we paddling below and parallel to the bearer line (so our hips are below the bearer line) then at the right time we put on the offside edge we carve up though the gateline. If we hit the inside pole, then chances are we have put too much edge on, or started it too early. If we overshoot and hit the far (outside) pole then chances are, we have not put any edge on, or started it too late.
Offside edge though up then bow rudder
Once we know the right time to edge and we are getting our hips above the gateline nicely. All we then do is add in a bow rudder. The edge has started the turn and pushed out hips above the gateline. Now this is achived and we know we can exit cleanly so we then add in a bowrudder to finish off the turn and therefore the upstream.
Offside edge donuts
Now obviouslly all the ups we do above start below the bearerline. We know that the J line into an upstream is best (as discussed in up articles before) so we can also use this offside edge to help this J line in, so the boat is carving up before we get to the upstream.
Standard flatwater upstream
Combine all the above – then keep the blade upstream and outside of the inside pole for the most grip, wind up the body, rotate, look with the head to help this, and boom, a good flat water up.
Whitewater upstream
Apply these principles into white water, adapting line and momentum as needed.
Overall
This sounds like an easy progression, but we know that its not, every upstream is different. Every line need to be adjusted. Every upstream need a different amount of edge. If you find yourself slipping in upstreams though, and struggling to get your hips above the gateline in order to exit, this concept is probably vital for you.