Indo tubes said...

In the interests of all paddlers, can someone please describe the main attributes/differences between the Hawaiian and Tahitian paddling techniques?

I get around ok but would like to be more technically correct on both my 14"0" Open Ocean and my 8'10" Wide Point. I have specific paddles for both and I think both probably need a different stroke style to get the best out of them.

Ask Woogie - he has the handle on both stroke technique.

Woogie@coreban.com

CMC said...

Here's a great video of Dave K. In slow motion.

Hawaiian at the start, Tahitian from about 1:38.

so cmc, would you say most times we are doing hawaiian at training except maybe sprint stuff?

Thanks Guys, I've seen Dave's stuff, which is great (how does he have so much time for everything?) It looks like I have been sitting in the Hawaiian corner. Hawaiian seems to use more reach with slightly lower cadence. Tahitian seems to have a higher cadence with a shorter reach. Both seem to exit cleanly just in front of the toes.

This site also has some good videos on technique.
A great way of improving paddling is jumping in an oc6. If you are interested in having a go in an oc6 send me a pm. I paddle with the freo club and its great fun and great work out.

oc1design.blogspot.com/search/label/OC%201%20Clinics%20-%20Puakea%2FChing

so are you saying there shouldnt be much puddle

Gassa said...

so are you saying there shouldnt be much puddle

No, the opposite - the greater the puddle and the longer it "lingers" in the water the better. This is a good sign that the water has been disturbed by the paddle stroke. I am not racing expert so I could be wrong here - it's just something I used to use in my surfboat days. I just noticed it on that video where he used both techniques. If it works for the Tahitians then there could be something in this.

Dont get to caught up in Hawaiin troke/tahitiian stroke
both are basically the same exept Tahittiian style is more shorter, a quick recovery thus a quicker rating.
Tahitiaans are always working on an efficent catch. They also paddle rudderless canoes which accounts for their stroke on six-man canoes.
Most other paddlers work on a longer stroke. Just old school.

The paddler on the video above has flaws in his stroke which you dont want to copy. ie mostly too shallow a stroke, although on the Oc1 he gets a deep stroke but not flowing, too long out the back. Also preaches pulling opposite shoulder back as bottem hand reaches out. This produces a shallow stroke and dosn't let the paddler use the whole body with the twist at the shoulders(upper torso) instead of the hips.

Why it is always good to get a proficent coach to get lessons off

petedorries said...

Dont get to caught up in Hawaiin troke/tahitiian stroke
both are basically the same exept Tahittiian style is more shorter, a quick recovery thus a quicker rating.
Tahitiaans are always working on an efficent catch. They also paddle rudderless canoes which accounts for their stroke on six-man canoes.
Most other paddlers work on a longer stroke. Just old school.

The paddler on the video above has flaws in his stroke which you dont want to copy. ie mostly too shallow a stroke, although on the Oc1 he gets a deep stroke but not flowing, too long out the back. Also preaches pulling opposite shoulder back as bottem hand reaches out. This produces a shallow stroke and dosn't let the paddler use the whole body with the twist at the shoulders(upper torso) instead of the hips.

Why it is always good to get a proficent coach to get lessons off

Which is why I want lessons off you.... Call you soon.