PACKRAFTING TECHNICAL TIPS #2 - S Cross

This video series aims to encourage a higher level of technical knowledge and paddling skills amongst packrafters.
Here expert kayaker and Senior Whitewater Instructor Dan Hall completes two S-crosses across a fast current during our Paddle Tasmania Intermediate Course. Nothing too radical here however, again, you will see the constant use of the boats edges.
Edging like this maximises your ability to turn in tight spaces and avoid washing out or drifting across eddies. Notice the vertical strokes and minimal but smart stroke placements. Good paddlers can easily paddle several strokes on the one side (generally the inside of the turn) whilst maintaining edging. Dan is also always looking to place his paddle in green water that is going to aid him in producing power. No stroke is wasted and there are no half-strokes that are so common amongst packrafters (& kayakers). S-crosses and edging the boat are two of the key components that we focus on in the Intermediate Course.
Obviously edging this much requires a lot of confidence in your ability to balance the boat on its edge. Having a well-practiced really good brace is key whilst the ability to roll a kayak is a huge help. Edging is obviously a lot easier at speed than when moving slowly so we focus on the ability to produce effective power/speed. Such aggressive edging also only works if you are completely connected to your boat whilst some boats edge a lot better/worse than others. My hope is that many more future packrafts are purposefully designed around edging.
Don't worry though if you are unable to emulate Dan’s paddling performances as he has 20+ years of international professional kayaking and racing experience. He has made a life-long career out of paddling boats efficiently so it appears effortless. It is something for us to aspire to though and it does help to highlight just how effective good technique is in packrafts as well as in kayaks...

[@aaronreynolds9773]

Thanks for posting these videos. Every time I watch them I pick up on something new.

[@UrsaMusic]

Hey Mark this videos are awesome, are you guys doing any classed in N America this year?

[@MarkOates]

Preston Havill Unfortunately not this year. I’ll be running workshops at the New Zealand Meetup in January and then hopefully/possibly attending the European/Soca, Nordic/Sweden and French Alps Meetups. All the best!

[@Fuzzballz]

Где шлем такой взял??!! )))

[@MarkOates]

I'm not sure where Dan got his helmet from but he has had it a very long time.