Outrigger Canoe Paddling Technique (OC6)

Top Hand Over Bottom / Top Hands Down Together

A couple of good calls I make as an outrigger steerer to refocus the crew on technique and timing is:

Top Hand Over Bottom And Top Hands Down Together

Visualise this photo when one or both of these calls are made and you will know what is being asked for - A part of the quality in the stroke and crew blending.

Timing should come mostly from feel and a good visual cue is to synchronise your top hand driving down at the same time as those in front of you. Also helps keep the head up to maximise the breathing efficiency.

Top hand over bottom can help get your paddle side shoulder out and extended along the side of the canoe, soemthing we have been focusing on lately.

Some Favourite Outrigger Canoe (OC6) Technique Related Videos (Wed 28 Jan 2015)

Team Hawaii training for 2010 Havaiki Nui Vaa (Vimeo Video)

Just watch this one - Seat 3 is amazing!! - Team Hawaii Preparing for Havaiki Nui 2010 from Dolan Bros. on Vimeo.
Kamini Jain talking about Paddling Stroke Technique

Kamini Jain talking about Paddling Stroke Technique (Vancouver Outrigger Conference -Nov 2010)
Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)
A few other good ones include:

• The Catch - Johnny Puakea and Danny Ching OC Clinic (16 May 2008) (this one is definitely worth a read)
• Va'a Paddling Connection Tahiti (great video and music - shows the skills needed to catch the bumps).
• lots more here.

[Just click through the links above each video to see the original posts here at eljeiffel. Not sure if all the embedded videos will render properly on this page.]

On Competing - The Story of Telling (Mon 02 Jun 2014)

Geoff, Cath (*), Nicola (*), Ian, Amanda (*), Stuart, Linda, Kerry, Di and Mark - Shelley Beach / Manly (Sat 31 May 2014)
Pacific Dragons (*) OC1 (*) Ocean Session - Whosus (*) - Shelley Beach / Pacific Ocean (Sat 31 May 2014)
The Story of Telling (*) writes On Competing (*):

What would the world look like if you focused on doing the work as if today was the last time you would get to do it? Allow the noise from the competition to fade into the background. In your heart and mind become the market of one.

via No Business Is In A Market Of One (*) by The Story of Telling (*).

I have got back on the OC1 (*) this last week and I am loving it - it is just what my training needs at the moment as we prepare for Hamilton Island (in two weeks) and Italy (in September).

As is usual, when you are on the OC1, it is all about you. No where to hide, so you feel a little exposed and vulnerable. How will you compare ?

I have been thinking about this lately as when I am doing the L4 Interval Sessions with the others, I just try to focus on myself. I do this by keeping just a little away from the others and doing my own line down the course. The challenge for me is to do these sets with the others beside me. Try to focus on myself, yet at the same time trying to compete (*) and be the best I can without getting distracted. I hope this post makes sense.

Afterthoughts: Two athletes I have learnt a lot from in this area of thought are Adam van Koeverden (*) and Drew Ginn (*) as well as my own club coaches (*) [more to come shortly]. These eljeiffel search links are definitely worth following.

Pacific Dragons Crew Photos - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)

Alison Linn, Kath Burrows, Annett Happich, Amanda Wyllie (S), Nicola Frowen, Cath Gale - Pacific Dragons Long Course Women - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Steve Jack, Ian Amos, Stu Young, Nuku Taia, Adrian Chua, Geoff Eldridge (S) - Pacific Dragons Long Course Open - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Tim Vose, Eelin Tan, Paul Wilkins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Stu Young (S), Liz Cowen - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 1 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Geoff Eldridge (S), Kaizer Austin, Jo Petterson, Paul Webster, Jane Hill, Kayleene Eagles - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 2 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
First big race of the season for most of us. As usual I learnt a lot today about steering on a choppy ocean in strong winds. Tough way to learn, so thanks to the LC Mens Crew for putting up with me.

The SC Mixed - congrats to Kayleene and Jane for first time in such challenging conditions. To the crew, thank you for your belief in yourselves and me as your steerer.

Great work everyone today, you put a smile on an old paddlers face.

Pacific Dragons Long Course Mixed Crew - Cronulla Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 03 Mar 2013)

Pacific Dragons Long Course Mixed Crew - Cronulla Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 03 Mar 2013) [Youtube (*)]
Just over 2 minutes of paddling fun crossing a Sandbar half way through the race. Once the canoe goes of course slightly at these kind if speeds, it is very difficult to correct. We recovered nicely and the 6th wave later we managed to get a second chance. Heaps of fun and we learnt a lot. Thanks everyone, it was a great experience and race. A few more sections of the GoPro footage can be found at the eljeiffel YouTube site.



GPS Plot for YouTube Video - Port Hacking Sandbar and The Complete Race (Sun 03 Mar 2013)
Steph Kerr, Tim Vose, Jo Petterson, Mark Hall, Liz Cowan, Geoff Eldridge - Gunnamatta Bay (Sun 03 Mar 2013)

Pacific Dragons - Masters Men - Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 11 Nov 2012)

Pacific Dragons - Masters Men - Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 11 Nov 2012) [Youtube (*)]
The final minute of a 14km race out and back into Wollongong's Boat Harbour. Much nicer conditions to that which experienced at the beginning of 2010 (*). From left to right - Nuku, Peter, Paul and that would be me at the back of the canoe. Thanks to Graeme for the great GoPro footage of the whole race. Will have to get myself one of these as it great to get some video feedback to help improve the technique.

Pacific Dragons - Five Islands Regatta / Wollongong (Sun 18 Jan 2009)

Pacific Dragons - Five Islands Outrigger OC6 Regatta / Wollongong (Sun 18 Jan 2009)

Takapuna Beach Cup 2011 - Pacific Dragons - Open Mixed (Sat 26 Feb 2011)

Takapuna Beach Cup 2011 - Pacific Dragons - Open Mixed - Google Doc (Sat 26 Feb 2011)
As previously indicated I was planning to participate in this years Takapuna Beach Cup, a 42 km changes outrigger race held on Sat 26 February.

Just back from a flying trip to Auckland. A fantastic event and one well worth planning to do at some stage. I am hoping that it will become a regular part of our calendar.

Here are the output from the two GPS's I had onboard. Firstly from my Locosys BT-31 (see here) which records it's position every second, and my Garmin Forerunner 301 (see here) which records every now and then (ie about every 10-20 sec). The Locosys gives a lot more detail.

Identity by Mark Dobson

Identity is the way you see yourself and what you feel your role on the planet is.

When our identity is clear it results in our destiny.

Mark Dobson

Stumbled across this last week. Really interesting to me and quite relevant. Definitely made me think a lot about what has happened (an inkling here and here) and what could be (just as vague an inkling here). In some ways I have lived this and know it to be true, how else can it all be explained? Anyway, hope you find it just as interesting.

In some ways the Indentity/Destiny quote above is similar to a recent quote from Seth Godin:

The experiences you create are the moments that define you.


Identity (page 1 of 20) by Mark Dobson
This is a chapter out of a presently unreleased book on the Thought Behind Elite Level Performance, by Mark Dobson. The chapter explores how the way you see yourself impacts your performance. It offers strategies and insights on how to adjust your identity with a series of workshop questions at the end. It uses all sporting examples but is easy to relate any life.

Takapuna Beach Cup 42k Changes Race (Vimeo Video)

Takapuna Beach Cup 42k Changes Race from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo.
New Zealand's Premiere Outrigger changes race, held at beautiful Takapuna Beach Auckland. A host of Local and international warriors battle it out for line honors and personal fulfillment in this fabulous International Event.

Just signed up to do the 2011 Takapuna Beach Cup 42km Changes Race (see map) on Sat 26 Feb 2011. Flying trip as I need to be back in Sydney for afternoon Dragon Boat Training on Sun 28 Feb 2011.

Course Map for 2011 Takapuna Beach Cup 42km Changes Race

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)
Had a few Outrigger Canoe Technique Videos here lately - Kamini Jain and Johnny and Danny Ching. Everyone has their own way and I think they are all trying to get the same kind of message across. Learn and enjoy.

Outrigger Surfing The Currumbim Alley by peterando06 (Sat 11 Dec 2010)

Outrigger Surfing The Currumbim Alley by peterando06 (Sat 11 Dec 2010)
Looks like a lot of fun in an OC3 with only 3 paddlers. Great way to get some steering skills in the surf. Definitely a skill best acquired by actually doing it. For the paddlers, definitely will give you confidence in unstable conditions as well as the opportunity to feel the boat and how it responds in the swell, when to lift (rating and power) and when to back off and change sides and wait for the next one, etc. Seat 1 is wearing a 2007 Short Sleeve USA National Dragon Boat top.

Best piece of ocean steering/paddling advice I ever got was from Billy. It goes something like this:

"remember that what has just passed you and is now in front of you, is also just behind you"

Will be up that way next week for Christmas. Always go to Currumbim Beach and Headland. Will keep my eye out for an OC3.

Mastering the Blending of Outrigger Canoe Steering Techniques

"To master the blending of steering techniques, a certain amount of inherent feeling is necessary. Knowing how the canoe will react in different conditions, feeling movements before they occur and anticipating corrections before they happen, need to be natural. Letting the canoe flow instead of fighting to remain straight, is critical. The canoe can move up 10 degrees off its mark at any time without being off course. You need to let the canoe find its way - you are only there to help it get there"

Jim Foti (Page 96) - Outrigger Canoeing: The Art and Skill of Steering.

A great little book. Many thanks to Rachel for giving me a copy. Plenty to learn from this recently revised edition.

Thought of the above quote when out in the thick of it yesterday. Some challenging conditions for all crews. We all survived and had a great time in the process. Definitely a massive learning experience for us all, me in particular.

Had a few Stall Outs - need to work on a strategy to fix this up in such big conditions. We had a lot water in the Canoe at the end. GPS to follow.

Thanks to Michelle for the fantastic photos from yesterday's Outrigger Canoe (OC6) Regatta at Five Islands/Wollongong.

Pacific Dragons Mens Crew (From Seat 1: Mark Hall, Graeme Bacon, Stuart Young, Peter McAlister, Grant Billen and Geoff Eldridge) - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew (From Seat 1: Mark Hall, Graeme Bacon, Stuart Young, Peter McAlister, Grant Billen and Geoff Eldridge) - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Pacific Dragons Mens Crew - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Back in the Harbour - Pacific Dragons Mens Crew (Geoff Eldridge, Grant Billen, Peter McAlister and Stuart Young) - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)
Back in the Harbour - Pacific Dragons Mens Crew (Stuart Young, Graeme Bacon and Mark Hall) - Five Island OC6 Regatta - Sun 14 Nov 2010 (picasa by Shell)

Round the Island - Hong Kong Outrigger Change Race

Round the Island - Hong Kong Outrigger Change Race - 22 Nov 2009 (Promo Clip)
This is something that Jenny, Joanne and I always wanted to do. Jo and I hope to do it next year, maybe with a group of friends from Pacific Dragons.

Charlotte - small world. I viewed and downloaded this video last year on Sun 01 Feb 2009. I showed it to Jenny and at that stage we were keen to see if we could organise soemthing for the 2009 Hong Kong Round Island Race. We had paddled in an OC6 with the Hong Kong Island Paddle Club in Sep 2006 on our way to the 2006 Asian Dragon Boat Championships in Macau. From that time on we always talked about doing The Round Island. As always, we were always too busy on some other paddling adventure. Jo and I are going to make the time to ensure we do it sooner rather than later. As the moving background song (Angels on the Moon by Thriving Ivory) aludes and as I always said to Jenny do what you can, while you can ..

Va'a Paddling Connection Tahiti

One of my favourite Outrigger Video's (along with Rambo's Mission Adrenal). The background music is really good and makes you want to get out there on the ocean and paddle.

Outrigger Surfing by Johnny McElree

Outrigger surfing by Johnny McElree
Saw this a long time ago and found a recently re-uploaded version again today. Looks like a lot of fun, particularly in Seat 1.

Molokai Hoe Bump

From Rambo's Locker - Love watching this one and dream one day to catch something like this and to paddle Molaki. Watch the steerer and seat 5 (around the 30sec mark) who work together to keep the OC on the right line just before taking off. Just shows how important an understanding of steering technique is for all in the canoe, particularly Seat 5, who can help out a lot, particularly in big conditions.

Seat 5 working with the Steerer in Seat 6

VAA Training in Tahiti with Paddling Connection

Trainning with the team Paddling Connection V6 TAHITI by tahitian689 - Can see them racing here.

Feel the Boat

I really enjoy steering an OC6 and I often find myself steering an OC6 at my regular training sessions. I try to pickup useful tips from the various Outrigging web sites - ausoutrigger.com and ocpaddler.com. Found the following question and responses very informative.

Ender writes on the ocpaddler forum:

"I paddle OC-6 and my coach suggested I work on feeling the boat. [..] Honestly I really have no idea what he is talking about so I just keep paddling hoping one day the mystery will be solved. Any clues?"

When I steer an OC6, in certain sections, I ask the crew to feel the water. Anyway, some nice responses to this question and the whole discussion is worth reading. For me, the following response by Hiro C. resonates the most:

"when sitting in a car or a plane, you can close your eyes and you can fell when it goes faster or slower, you can feel if it is turning. In the canoe, try to get focused on those feelings. You should feel when a wave is pushing or pulling the canoe. You will feel when it’s gliding and when it’s not."

Port Stephens Changes Race - 29 Mar 2008