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| + | ( This page is a copy of an [[http://www.gosurfski.com/post/five-myths-about-stable-surfskis|online blog post]] from Boyan Zlatarev ([[https://www.surfskicenter.com/|Tarifa Surfski Center]]) - we are only providing a copy here because we have occasionally experienced problems with the original web page link and wanted to make sure the content is readily available on the wiki) | ||
| Updated: Apr 23, 2022 | Updated: Apr 23, 2022 | ||
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| \\ Theoretically speaking it is possible that a person paddling a stable boat may catch less waves than the same person paddling on an elite type of surfski. But this should only happen in very rare downwind conditions where there is very little to no wind and the only available waves to surf would be large and very fast swells. Hint: 99% of the time the conditions will not be like that and there will always be waves traveling at different speeds in different directions. | \\ Theoretically speaking it is possible that a person paddling a stable boat may catch less waves than the same person paddling on an elite type of surfski. But this should only happen in very rare downwind conditions where there is very little to no wind and the only available waves to surf would be large and very fast swells. Hint: 99% of the time the conditions will not be like that and there will always be waves traveling at different speeds in different directions. | ||
| - | \\ The main logic behind this myth is based on one true but misunderstood fact: Higher speed gives you more potential opportunities to catch waves. | + | \\ The main logic behind this myth is based on one true but misunderstood fact: **Higher speed gives you more potential opportunities to catch waves**. |
| - | \\ Here the main point is the word “potential“ and the assumption that you get some sort of a guarantee the faster speed would ever materialise. But even if it did, here is the math problem: | + | \\ Here the main point is the word “**potential**“ and the assumption that you get some sort of a guarantee the faster speed would ever materialise. But even if it did, here is the math problem: |
| \\ I often use the “budget” metaphor when I teach downwind, where your speed capacity is your downwind budget, which “buys“ you waves. Just like going to the market to buy a t-shirt, for example, if you have a bigger budget you could pick from a wider variety of t-shirts at a bigger price range, which you potentially wouldn‘t be able to afford on a lower budget. | \\ I often use the “budget” metaphor when I teach downwind, where your speed capacity is your downwind budget, which “buys“ you waves. Just like going to the market to buy a t-shirt, for example, if you have a bigger budget you could pick from a wider variety of t-shirts at a bigger price range, which you potentially wouldn‘t be able to afford on a lower budget. | ||
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| \\ Very often paddlers develop bad habits in their surfski skills because when they paddle an unstable boat they continuously compromise their paddling technique in order not to fall in the water. This creates a program in their brains and this program becomes hard wired when it gets constantly repeated and reinforced making it very difficult to correct any time in the future. Some examples of the most common mistakes people develop as a result of paddling unsuitable unstable surfski are: | \\ Very often paddlers develop bad habits in their surfski skills because when they paddle an unstable boat they continuously compromise their paddling technique in order not to fall in the water. This creates a program in their brains and this program becomes hard wired when it gets constantly repeated and reinforced making it very difficult to correct any time in the future. Some examples of the most common mistakes people develop as a result of paddling unsuitable unstable surfski are: | ||
| - | Lack of leg drive movement due to fear of losing balance because of the body mass shift. | + | - Lack of leg drive movement due to fear of losing balance because of the body mass shift. |
| + | - Extended stroke and late inefficient exit phase caused by the need to maintain balance at the end of each stroke (mini brace stroke or dragging the paddle) | ||
| + | - Lack of gliding phase again driven by the fact that reduced stability forces the paddler to engage the paddle blade in search of stability while compromising the stroke efficiency. | ||
| - | Extended stroke and late inefficient exit phase caused by the need to maintain balance at the end of each stroke (mini brace stroke or dragging the paddle) | + | The above doesn't suggest that no one would ever be able to learn proper paddling skills using an elite level surfski. The point is that a stable surfski would allow you to develop and advance correct paddling techniques and skills much faster and more effectively. |
| - | Lack of gliding phase again driven by the fact that reduced stability forces the paddler to engage the paddle blade in search of stability while compromising the stroke efficiency. | + | <WRAP centeralign> |
| - | The above doesn't suggest that no one would ever be able to learn proper paddling skills using an elite level surfski. The point is that a stable surfski would allow you to develop and advance correct paddling techniques and skills much faster and more effectively. | + | {{:locales:tarifa:tarifaspeeds.jpg?direct&650x565|tarifaspeeds.jpg}} \\ This is an excerpt of a downwind session from Tarifa to Bolonia. The overall paddling distance was 16.5 km for 58:18 min with average speed 17.0 kph. This image shows a fastest stretch of 10 km in the middle section where the average speed was 18.5 kph over 10 km distance or 32:31 min for 10 km paddling in a beginner level surfski. |
| - | This is an excerpt of a downwind session from Tarifa to Bolonia. The overall paddling distance was 16.5 km for 58 min and this shows a faster stretch of 10 km in the middle section where the average speed was 18,5 kph over 10 km distance. \\ This is an excerpt of a downwind session from Tarifa to Bolonia. The overall paddling distance was 16.5 km for 58:18 min with average speed 17.0 kph. This image shows a fastest stretch of 10 km in the middle section where the average speed was 18.5 kph over 10 km distance or 32:31 min for 10 km paddling in a beginner level surfski. | + | </WRAP></WRAP> |
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| \\ Surfski paddlers won't automatically risk their lives and their expensive gear just because they are paddling a more stable boat. That of course doesn't mean all paddlers who buy surfski would be immune to making mistakes and for that reason I always recommend that people take classes before they venture out at open water. And here lays my other argument why we need to make a distinction between the two groups of people described above: | \\ Surfski paddlers won't automatically risk their lives and their expensive gear just because they are paddling a more stable boat. That of course doesn't mean all paddlers who buy surfski would be immune to making mistakes and for that reason I always recommend that people take classes before they venture out at open water. And here lays my other argument why we need to make a distinction between the two groups of people described above: | ||
| - | \\ The average in-person surfski course is approximately 100 - 200$ per day. | + | * The average in-person surfski course is approximately 100 - 200$ per day. |
| - | + | * The person who invested 3000 - 5000$ in surfski equipment is far more likely to also invest in classes to learn proper skills and safety compared to someone who invested 200$ in a small plastic sit on top. | |
| - | The person who invested 3000 - 5000$ in surfski equipment is far more likely to also invest in classes to learn proper skills and safety compared to someone who invested 200$ in a small plastic sit on top. | + | |
| The reality of stable surfski models is that with the added stability you will be able to experience and learn how to handle more challenging paddling conditions, which you may not even attempt to take on in a "fast" and unstable surfski. | The reality of stable surfski models is that with the added stability you will be able to experience and learn how to handle more challenging paddling conditions, which you may not even attempt to take on in a "fast" and unstable surfski. | ||
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