I like the intro 🙂 I don't see anything wrong with the terminology as long as it's being used constructively to be honest. I'd be interested in seeing the same run or features twice, once as a reactive paddler, once as a passive paddler. A hallmark of some of the best paddlers is that they look almost passive because they understand the water so well that a few well placed but perfect strokes is all they need.
Thanks. That's a very fair comment. Maybe I'll do a follow-up with some side-by-side video. The latter half of this video did show some lines where I felt more reactive, but I didn't explicitly point it out, so perhaps I should have!
Just out of curiosity matt, what was your body position in active and reactive paddling? I believe that your body position can be active and passive and your paddling style (aggresive/reactive etc.) is a result of that. In a more forward leaning active position you can control the kayak with your body so you need fewer strokes. Style would be "smooth" or "active". In the passive position your upper body is leaning backward which makes it really hard to control the kayak with your body and you end up windmilling your paddle as its the only form of control you have in that position (aggresive) or you do nothing (driftwood). I do agree that driftwooding is essential for all ww trips to enjoy nature, relax your legs and eat a snickers.
@@woodandwaveskayaks yes, I'd absolutely agree with you. Active techniques are reliant on a generally upright and forward posture. Passive techniques coincide with leaning back (though this starts getting a bit wooly when you're doing things like freestyle!).
The new intro is fantastic!!! For me, it is all about the situation. Using the "driftwood" style in grade 2 to conserve energy for bigger rapids is exactly what I try to do; as the saying goes... go slow when you can so you can go fast when you need to! This is another great video with some excellent, thought-provoking points!
Another super video, Matt. You are one of the philosophers of the whitewater world. I enjoyed that discussion. I agree is is not practical to be in the aggressive/proactive mode at all times. I have recently had the privilege of doing a lovely 2 day trip. No ways was I leaning forward and taking strong precise strokes and driving the boat the whole way. In fact, even while eddy hopping down there is a bit of driftwood style floating while you try to get eyes on what's happening over the horizon line/around the corner. So ya, a time time and a place for everything and never going to be possible to be in control even when you would like to be. Enter the cure. Cheers , Allen.
I like the new intro. Well done. I have always said to people "paddle with intention"I intend to catch that eddy, etc but sometimes like you said the river is ultimately in charge and then you have to react to the situation by relaying on your skills. So I like "intentional" and "situational".
Love the intro, some really good points here and i can tell you have been deeply in thought over the topic, i liked preventive & curative at first but when i thought more about it, i much prefer proactive & reactive personally as long as they are described/presented correctly. I don't describe them as simply good & bad for the same reasons you described. Sometimes i refer them like a sat nav, proactive is following the preferred direction, reactive is when you miss a turn & then it starts recalculating!!! both end up at the same point but 1 is way more efficient!!!
Totally! Thanks for sharing. So much comes down to how we choose to define and build on these terms, and then the way we use them with ourselves/others.
Thanks Trevor. Well, I don't know if it's particularly deep. It just came into my head as I was driving away from the river and reflecting on some of the less-than-ideal lines I'd taken!
I don’t feel that we gain anything by getting to hung up on the terms we use. It is how we use the that actually matters. Saying well done to someone who went off line as, ‘well done you reacted to that situation well’, makes reactive become positive. I tend to go for proactive and improvised. Both can be used positively. The better a paddler gets, the better they are at improvising when things don’t go to plan. The new intro is cool by the way!
Very true. Not worth getting bent out of shape over, but I do think it matters. I like improvised though, that has a very positive (and maybe a bit humourous) connotations! Thanks. I'll let Tim know.
I like the new intro! I don't see any problem with the terms proactive/aggressive and reactive/defensive. Defensive driving is a good thing. I find more negative connotations with preventative and curative. I appreciate the discussion.
You're either a floater in a kayak or a whitewater kayaker. I like all the terms because each one shows part of the character of the paddler on the water. Fear, determination, skill, experience, persistence and dedication are all factors that make us a beginner intermediate or expert paddler. It's all work in progress, our life.
I am not a white water kayaker, however I did think this commentary was informative and the verbiage change should be well received and could be utilized across numerous sports and other endeavors.
I've done a tomahawk video already, so feel free to take a look at that. Not really sure what you mean by a flatwater cobra flip, as a cobra flip is specifically done off waterfalls, as far as I understand it.
@@MatthewBrookKayaking yeah but I saw in a video of Zack mutton where he tried a cobra flip from a pretty hard edge that he did a practice cobra on flatwater
I like the intro 🙂 I don't see anything wrong with the terminology as long as it's being used constructively to be honest. I'd be interested in seeing the same run or features twice, once as a reactive paddler, once as a passive paddler. A hallmark of some of the best paddlers is that they look almost passive because they understand the water so well that a few well placed but perfect strokes is all they need.
Thanks. That's a very fair comment. Maybe I'll do a follow-up with some side-by-side video. The latter half of this video did show some lines where I felt more reactive, but I didn't explicitly point it out, so perhaps I should have!
Just out of curiosity matt, what was your body position in active and reactive paddling?
I believe that your body position can be active and passive and your paddling style (aggresive/reactive etc.) is a result of that.
In a more forward leaning active position you can control the kayak with your body so you need fewer strokes. Style would be "smooth" or "active". In the passive position your upper body is leaning backward which makes it really hard to control the kayak with your body and you end up windmilling your paddle as its the only form of control you have in that position (aggresive) or you do nothing (driftwood).
I do agree that driftwooding is essential for all ww trips to enjoy nature, relax your legs and eat a snickers.
@@woodandwaveskayaks yes, I'd absolutely agree with you. Active techniques are reliant on a generally upright and forward posture. Passive techniques coincide with leaning back (though this starts getting a bit wooly when you're doing things like freestyle!).
The new intro is fantastic!!! For me, it is all about the situation. Using the "driftwood" style in grade 2 to conserve energy for bigger rapids is exactly what I try to do; as the saying goes... go slow when you can so you can go fast when you need to! This is another great video with some excellent, thought-provoking points!
Thanks dude. That is such a great phrase; can't believe I've never heard it before. I'll be using that, for sure!
Another super video, Matt. You are one of the philosophers of the whitewater world. I enjoyed that discussion. I agree is is not practical to be in the aggressive/proactive mode at all times. I have recently had the privilege of doing a lovely 2 day trip. No ways was I leaning forward and taking strong precise strokes and driving the boat the whole way. In fact, even while eddy hopping down there is a bit of driftwood style floating while you try to get eyes on what's happening over the horizon line/around the corner. So ya, a time time and a place for everything and never going to be possible to be in control even when you would like to be. Enter the cure. Cheers , Allen.
Thanks for sharing Allen. Far too kind. Time and a place is exactly right!
I like the new intro. Well done. I have always said to people "paddle with intention"I intend to catch that eddy, etc but sometimes like you said the river is ultimately in charge and then you have to react to the situation by relaying on your skills. So I like "intentional" and "situational".
Those are great terms too. Well thought out. Thanks for sharing.
Love the intro, some really good points here and i can tell you have been deeply in thought over the topic, i liked preventive & curative at first but when i thought more about it, i much prefer proactive & reactive personally as long as they are described/presented correctly. I don't describe them as simply good & bad for the same reasons you described. Sometimes i refer them like a sat nav, proactive is following the preferred direction, reactive is when you miss a turn & then it starts recalculating!!! both end up at the same point but 1 is way more efficient!!!
Totally! Thanks for sharing. So much comes down to how we choose to define and build on these terms, and then the way we use them with ourselves/others.
That some deep thinking Matt, thanks for shearing ❤
Thanks Trevor. Well, I don't know if it's particularly deep. It just came into my head as I was driving away from the river and reflecting on some of the less-than-ideal lines I'd taken!
Great intro!
It would be cool to see a side by side comparison of the two styles on the same river.
Thanks. Yes, a few people have suggested that. Perhaps I should do a follow-up video.
I don’t feel that we gain anything by getting to hung up on the terms we use. It is how we use the that actually matters. Saying well done to someone who went off line as, ‘well done you reacted to that situation well’, makes reactive become positive. I tend to go for proactive and improvised. Both can be used positively. The better a paddler gets, the better they are at improvising when things don’t go to plan. The new intro is cool by the way!
Very true. Not worth getting bent out of shape over, but I do think it matters. I like improvised though, that has a very positive (and maybe a bit humourous) connotations!
Thanks. I'll let Tim know.
I like the new intro! I don't see any problem with the terms proactive/aggressive and reactive/defensive. Defensive driving is a good thing. I find more negative connotations with preventative and curative. I appreciate the discussion.
Interesting. What would you say makes preventative/curative sound negative? Thanks for the input.
It is mainly the word curative for me. It sounds like fixing something that is broken.
@@holmespun fair. That's a reasonable response.
You're either a floater in a kayak or a whitewater kayaker. I like all the terms because each one shows part of the character of the paddler on the water.
Fear, determination, skill, experience, persistence and dedication are all factors that make us a beginner intermediate or expert paddler. It's all work in progress, our life.
Thanks for sharing. Definitely agree that we're all learners for life. Good stuff.
I don't disagree with your terminology, although I like reactive. You are still being active and dealing with the situation.
Very true. I suppose it's so much about how it's said.
I am not a white water kayaker, however I did think this commentary was informative and the verbiage change should be well received and could be utilized across numerous sports and other endeavors.
Thanks Dana. I appreciate your feedback.
Could you do a how to flatwater cobraflip?
I've done a tomahawk video already, so feel free to take a look at that. Not really sure what you mean by a flatwater cobra flip, as a cobra flip is specifically done off waterfalls, as far as I understand it.
@@MatthewBrookKayaking yeah but I saw in a video of Zack mutton where he tried a cobra flip from a pretty hard edge that he did a practice cobra on flatwater
But I don’t really understand how this could work I tried it a lot and didn’t rigure it out maybe you can
Ah ok. Not seen that one. I'll look it up and see if I can work something out.
@@MatthewBrookKayaking nice let me know if you got an update. Have a nice one