Making the team: How to develop synergy in the canoe
PADDLING
BY REBECCA BARTON-DAVIS
Have you ever jumped in your canoe with a new partner and felt a sudden sense of floating? Like your boat is effortlessly gliding across glass? The feeling of being better than you should be? At other times, have you launched the boat with someone and felt as if you had weeds across the bow, or maybe you were wading through thick mud in blue jeans?
These feelings aren’t related to either paddler’s strength or skill but are tied to the synergy that two paddlers are able to create together. As partners, it’s best if we can work together to develop free speed in the boat by anticipating each other’s actions.
First, let’s look at what paddlers can do at each end of the boat, and then what can be done as a team to increase team speed.
Typically, it’s thought the stern paddler is responsible for most of the team synergy since they follow the cadence of the bow paddler. It’s true that matching your partner is a huge piece of creating glide, and any variance is going to be a huge drag, but it isn’t the only part of making the boat feel smooth. The stern paddler also needs to subtly guide any leans or down pressure to help steer the boat. To do this, make sure to be deliberate in each stroke, and push through the foot on the side that that is being paddled on – don’t allow the bow to dominate the boat. Stern paddlers need to be aware of any roughness side-to-side and minimize bouncing by matching the power phase of the bow’s stroke – not only visually but also by feel. Finally, sterns choose the major line of the boat in most cases – this doesn’t have to be followed exactly, but if the bow is choosing the lines, the stern needs to concede the major decision-making responsibility to the other end of the boat – synergy is nearly impossible if both paddlers are trying to be the captain of the vessel.
Bow paddlers are not off of the hook when it comes to creating a team feel. First, the bow paddler must be able to paddle smoothly on his or her own, minimizing any bouncing up and down. They need to set a stroke that is fairly predictable and not too extremely short or long. This gives the stern paddler something to work with – in some ways, this base has more of an impact on the glide than any other component.
Next, the bow has to initiate changes in speed and positioning in relation to water depth changes and pack placement. If the bow paddler feels the boat rise as the water gets shallower, this anticipation will allow for stroke adjustments in order to get the boat planed, making the shallow water easier to paddle across. Fine steering corrections are also the bow paddler’s responsibility – a subtle push or draw can move the boat away from a rock without disrupting glide like a more drastic maneuver when the object is closer. Bows need to allow the stern paddler to keep subtle pressure on the side the stern is paddling on – this helps the boat go the direction it’s supposed to go, not in the direction that the stronger paddler wills it to travel. Bow paddlers who put their heads down and “just paddle” aren’t cutting it – look at the surroundings, and pay attention to the river and the information the stern is conveying through the boat.
As a team, paddlers need to communicate both verbally and visually. Let the other paddler know what is working well and what areas are a struggle – most likely, teams will be in agreement, but once the need for improvement is identified, both partners can work to make it better.
When speaking to each other, don’t just yell about what is frustrating, but communicate constructively what is slowing the boat, and find a solution together. Definitely praise and celebrate the accomplishments of the team – wins are just as important to recognize as losses. Strive to anticipate the movements of the other paddler so nothing is a surprise. If both paddlers are paying attention to the river’s flow, the turns, the lean of the boat and the water depth, the actions of each should help to move the boat as efficiently as possible with few disruptions.
The need to fine-tune listening skills in the boat is especially important, as teams become more powerful – strength can mask a lot of problems, but eventually, lack of efficiency will catch up with all. Synergy is created when both members view each other as equal partners, working together for a common goal.