Functional Freestyle - December 28, 2014

There is an ongoing thread on Paddling.net on freestyle paddling moves, so I took the Yellowstone out to give it a try.  I was able to capture the Axle, Cross Axle, Post and Cross Post on video, but the camera died while I was trying the Wedge, Christie and most of the sideslips. Here is my narrated version.

Functional Freestyle - Axles and Posts from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo

For me, the easiest turns, and the most effective in the Yellowstone are the post and cross post.  These are good on flatwater, but in moving water, the Axle or Cross Axle are safer bets.  I can get about 90 degrees on the initial skid, and get to about 180 degrees with subsequent forward and cross forward strokes.

Palm rolls and in-water recoveries are not something that I do on a regular basis, but they do help make the initiation and follow-up strokes more effective.  On the wedge, the in-water recovery gets the paddle into position for the bow pry much easier than tying to jam the paddle in place.  For the onside skidding maneuvers (Axle and Post), the palm roll can link follow-on bow draw and J-strokes to power the boat through the turn. 

My leans are wobbly, my transitions aren't very smooth, but I at least I can get through the turn.  This freestyle stuff takes practice, practice, practice...