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You should now be sitting comfortably with your boat flat on the water and your paddle blade vertical. Practice this brace a few more times.
To develop the most useful and powerful hip snap possible, minimize pulling down on the paddle and maximize driving your knee upward. Always think "drive the knee!"
Paddling in Waves
When paddling in waves, practice bracing strokes until they become automatic. Make sure to choose the high brace only when it is appropriate -- when there is a wave under the paddle to brace against.
The high brace is also very effective at preventing capsize if you are broached (caught broadside) by a wave. To remain upright, high brace into the wave.
If the wave pushes you sideways, it is possible to ride on the wave front using a high brace. Lean your kayak even farther on edge to ensure that the water is flowing under your boat.
Look carefully at the photo above. As you look at the photo, the wave would be to the left (in place of the dock), and the kayak would be travelling right.
Notice how far the kayak is edged toward the wave. This lean allows the boat to glide sideways across the water as the wave pushes the kayak to the right. If the boat is not edged sufficiently, the kayak will capsize by rolling to the right.
Though it is difficult, trust that the moving water will keep you upright as long as the paddle is held firmly on top of the wave and the boat is edged sufficiently into the wave. As the wave dissipates, simply hip snap to recover.
Protect Your Shoulders
During the high and low braces, paddlers must be very careful to maintain proper position. If you don't, shoulder dislocation can result.
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Dislocations occur most commonly when a paddler reaches too far out and too far back during a brace. When your arm is splayed straight out and angled back, any upward pressure (like a wave pushing on the paddle) can pop the shoulder out of joint.
Therefore, during both the low and high braces, always keep your elbow bent and your hand in front of your shoulder. The elbow bend cushions the shoulder, and the forward position prevents the torque that leads to a dislocation.
Practice, Practice...
The key to effective bracing is to get the paddle on the water before it's too late -- before you've passed the point of no return and will capsize. Therefore, practice your bracing strokes for fun until the motion becomes a reflex.
To practice, throw in some braces while paddling around, just for fun. Or, go to a local lake or flatwater river after work with a friend and see how far you can go over and still recover. You'll end up practicing both bracing and rescues, so wear proper clothing for immersion. As always, carry a paddle float and pump and know how to use them.
Make sure you are able to effectively and reflexively brace on both sides. Because the brace must become a reflex, never move your controlling wrist on the paddle, because adjusting that wrist prevents you from instinctively knowing when the paddle is flat on the water.
Before venturing out onto the water to work on your braces, review the photo galleries for the low and high braces. Then, print out this article and take it with you as you work on your braces.
Developing solid bracing skills will dramatically improve your stability and decrease the chance of capsize. Practicing the hip snap will also make learning to Eskimo roll much easier. Therefore, get to it!
The author is an instructor and guide at Charles River Canoe & Kayak in Newton, Mass,
and is the editor of NESK.
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