While most c-1 racers just paddle on one side, there are some who are "switchers". That is, they switch hands on the paddle at strategic points to try to gain an advantage. I'm not talking about cross-strokes- I mean putting the other hand on the t-grip of the paddle.
While I am not a switcher, I do have some proficiency on the other side and some knowledge about how it is done. I do not recommend switching for beginners because then they never learn the full compliment of strokes on each side. When they don't know how to do a stroke, they just switch hands to compensate.
That is not how top switchers do it. Top switchers normally only do pre-planned switches. It isn't a desperation move when they can't figure out how to put the boat where they want it to go. And top switchers could paddle the whole course on either side. They don't switch to compensate for weak technique, but to gain an advantage in a move.
And top switchers normally only switch when the boat is traveling at speed. They don't switch when the boat has little or no boat speed, because that just delays the reacceleration of the boat and slows you down. If you switch when the boat is already traveling fast, there is no lost time for the switch because the boat keeps gliding at full speed during the switch.
As for the actual switch, it needs to be practiced to be quick and effective. You slide the bottom hand up the paddle during the recovery and release the fingers, but not the thumb of the bottom hand so the thumb slides up the shaft to the t-grip and then the fingers catch on at the top of the t-grip. You do a sort of controlled toss of the paddle to the other side during the recovery and the other lower hand catches the shaft of the paddle, ready for a new stroke. The switch needs to be practiced to be effective.
Then, switches need to be planned for certain parts of the course where it will be more effective. Usually the switch will be once the boat is traveling downstream at some speed, you can switch for an upcoming move, such as an upstream or a move across a hole. Switch well ahead of the move while the boat is traveling at speed. Switchers normally do right upstreams on the right and left upstreams on the left side, however this is not a hard and fast rule.
However, in observing many split times at races, the times are not usually faster for right or left c-1s. The split times vary more depending on the speed of the racer and how well he does the move, not so much based upon which side he is paddling on. But there may be some moves where you feel more comfortable paddling on one side or the other for the move and may have a greater likelihood of making the move clean and fast on one side, so this may be an occasion to switch for that move.
In any case, learn all strokes on both sides if you are a switcher and be able to do all moves on each side. You need to have a full toolbox of strokes and moves, not just depend on switching if you can't find out the right stroke in a pinch. Because that is an ineffective form of switching- emergency switching due to a lack of technique, rather than planned and fast and smooth switching.
Comments