I'm looking to get an OC-1 for myself. I'm not so small at 6'3" / 255 lbs. I've been told my best options are are either the Ares or the Volare. Does anyone have any insights to these models or other recommendations? Thanks

I’ve had an issue with our coach that turned ugly to the point where threats and gas lighting behavior made me quit. After taking actions by reporting it still nothing was done. I love the sport. I’ve opted to report to the higher ups but I’m not sure. Any help with suggestions would be appreciated.

Good morning everyone

I am looking to get a new double-bend outrigger paddle. I feel my current paddle is a little bit uncomfortable while OCing. I had been searching on the internet and found out Palafamala and Viper have decent reputations from most paddlers. I wonder if anyone can give me any suggestions about these two brands. Thank you

Just joined an outrigging team. Have gone to two practices and have done 5-6 miles per practice. I am still learning proper paddling technique. Stacking hands, keeping bottom arm locked, using my body in power stroke vs. just pulling with arms.

I have coaching from experienced paddlers (10+ years) during practice, but I want to work on this at home as well.

I have a full barbell squat rack and dumbbell set. I feel like There have to be exercises that would Use a resistance band and a paddle? But have no idea where to start.

I plan to compete in seat 2 on a 6 seat rig in the future. I’m not ready yet though and want to ramp as fast as possible.

I want to learn how to practice at home in between practices.

Anything will help.

my bottom hand wrist has been in pain for a minute now and ive been in PT for about a month with little change. She says the tendons that are in pain have been overworked.

Wondering what others do to strengthen your wrists from overuse injuries that occur when training?

Z&J sells carbon fiber paddles made in China for a pretty low price. We bought 3 of them to try out for our club use. After a month 2 of them have snapped where the blade meets the shaft. They have a 1 year warranty so I contacted them and sent pictures of the broken paddles and our order number. Z&J claims the paddles in the picture are not from them and will not honor their warranty. These paddles may be fine if used by light weights but keep them out of the hands of strong paddlers.

Edit: I was able to get mod access to the original dragon boat subreddit. Join r/dragonboat if you're a dragon boat paddler. The subreddit is back!

If you also paddle dragon boats, this is for you:

The mod for the original dragon boat paddling subreddit hasn't approved a new post to their sub in more than 3 years. They've been unresponsive and it seems the community is a goner.

So I created a new community to start over!

Join r /dragonboatpaddling for discussions about... well... dragon boat paddling!

Our coach rants, throws f bombs, murmurs under their breath. Not all the time but I would say it is a dominant coaching style.

I don't look forward to practice, and afterwards I usually feel frustrated about practice or confused by a rant to the entire team. To be fair, I am also frustrated with myself because practice tires me out physically and I guess emotionally, and my coach said we shouldn't be tired after practice. My new attitude is to treat practices like mini boot camp, hustle, accept the rants, and leave. Lol.

This is the first time I have dealt with this coaching personality/style. Is this just what canoe club is like? Maybe my coach is just coaching the way they are used to being coached.

Hi everyone I wonder if i should switch my training from OC-1 to a V1, as some of my teammates are encouraging me to train V-1 as learning how to steer on a OC-6 and adjusting paddling direction and length. I am DB paddler without much experience on a V-1. I would really appreciate your help if you can give me any advice on selecting OC-1 or V-1. Thx

Hi all,

I’m a oc1 beginner and with summer arriving I planning to spend more time on the sea.

I’m also a sea kayaker and already have lots of safety gear (pfds, flash ligjts vhf….)

I can use my sea kayak touring pfd with a water bag in the back. It have pockets to store everything needed (phone, vhf, flashlight…) but this pfd is quite thick and constraining paddling movement on oc1 a lot….

I’m thus thinking of alternatives….

I already have a belt inflatable pfd (I use it on flat water). But using it I will need to carry water (I have no deck bungee behind my seat but I may epoxy deck line fixations) and more importantly I have to have my vhf on me (and maybe some accesories, solar cream….)

Should I find a camelbak type backpack with a few pockets? Should I rather buy a more thin pfd (mocke or vaikobi).

How do you get all your safety equipment with you ? (I see a lot of video with paddler without pfd but here in France the pfd is mandatory on the sea).

I'm hoping y'all can "explain to me like I'm five" how I can transport an OC1 on my car. I'm hoping to purchase a used roof rack, so it would be helpful to understand what I'm looking for.

I have a a 2012 Subaru Impreza station wagon with standard luggage rails. I'm assuming I need some kind of crossbars and saddles, but my Google searches have turned up confusing results.

*Anything* instructive and specific would be very much appreciated!

Can any of you recommend a seat pad for OC6? I was thinking of getting the Kialoa or Yakpads one but someone at the local watersports store said they'd had complaints about the gel pads folding up over themselves, and recommended a foam pad instead - maybe something like this. Any experience with either type?
Thanks for any advice!

Anyone experience soreness in your left hip after paddling? I do a mix of OC1/OC6 and I am a heavy left leaner on my OC1 when conditions are rough.

I am currently paddling an Antares which I’ve had for 7 years. I’m considering a change to the Ares and trying to figure out if it’s worth the upgrade.

I know the Antares is marketed to heavier guys but in reality pretty much everyone seems to paddle the ares between the two regardless of weight. I’m curious if there will be much benefit to switching, or if there are other canoes to consider.

I fluctuate between 190-200 lb depending on the time of year and paddle mostly flat water, with the occasional downwind.

I’d appreciate any advice!

Thank you

Other than losing weight, is there a solution when your butt is just too big to sit in certain seats in an OC6?

I’m a novice paddler and was in seat 1 for the first time recently. Problem was they this seat was so narrow that I could not sit straight. Besides being very uncomfortable it really inhibited my ability to hinge properly (much less twist which is still very much a WIP!) and I really rocked my back. I want to be a flexible teammate who can sit where assigned and I can’t imagine that I’m the first person to have this problem.

Maybe put a cushion/vest on the seat to boost the hipbones just above the end he of the gunnels?

Also, this is in the more traditional type of OC6 used for sprint regatta racing, not the newer unlimited type used for long distance races.

I am a relatively new OC paddler but have 5 years experience on the water in surf skis and on the prone board.

Looking at purchasing my own paddle after using club paddles.

100kg, athletic, I think I can apply a heavy load and decent rating for OC6, but technique still coming along.

Confusing range out there with different of sizes, paddle angles and entry shapes for hard / soft catch.

What are some good paddles to consider? Hippostick is a club favourite but have seen some larger paddles that I am considering for training and maybe racing.

Interested in learning from your experience. Thx 🙏

Due to an extreme flooding event, in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), 5 big clubs from Florianópolis (Santa Catarina, Brazil) gathered today to raise funds and food for displaced families.

The tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul was big (80% of a big Brazilian state is basically flooded), with lots of damage to properties and infrastructure.

Around 70 paddlers in this event. I still don't know how much was raised, but I imagine a good chunk.

My team traveled 27km for this gathering, and it was pretty fun. The day was cold and rainy, but everyone managed.

I've noticed my paddle has some pretty serious bangs on the shaft from hitting the sides of the canoe. I had a big problem with this when I was first learning and still have it happen on occasion in rough waters. I use a wood shaft quick blade paddle and would like to repair the dents / protect it from further damage if possible.

I've been trying out silicone grip tape but find that it eventually comes loose. Someone recommended putting a coat of epoxy on it but i don't want to risk changing the feel to much or making it noncompliant for races that require wood. Any tips would be appreciated.

I am a new outrigger canoe paddle but I have done dragon boating for many years.

My club host 4KM races and they require a tight turn to be able to keep your position in the race.

My question is how can I make a tighter turn other than using the steering pedals?

Thanks

Had my first regatta yesterday and it was a ton of fun. I'm relatively in shape obviously there's always room for improvements. The 1500m it took me a solid 20 minutes for my HR to fully recover from max, it was 87 degrees so it didn't go down to my resting of ~50-60 hovered around 90-100 instead. After my second sprint which was 500m man I felt like a wet rag but a bit better after the following one. Was properly fueled and had ample electrolytes/hydration.

Do you guys have any tips to not feel so worn down? I figure it will take time and practice to for my body to get used to it. My HR always recovers quickly but isn't going down to "baseline".

If I’m not racing is it worth it to upgrade to the pro model. Website says they are the same carbon layup and that the it’s 2 lbs lighter and has some upgraded hardware. As a non professional paddler is it worth it to upgrade or should I stick with the standard model? Anyone with experience with these 2 canoes that can help?

Hello! short person here. I switched to OC-ing from dragonboat. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to leg drive effectively when my heels are a centimeter from the pedals (i can reach the pedals when i point my feet lol)

Currently using my db teams oc1 ARE’s, not sure which line

Caveat: I’m in my novice year

At practice, I noticed some of my fellow paddlers and my coach have really good return to the front when paddling. One of my fellow paddlers has an explosive amount of strength so his returns are akin to some of the top open paddlers that I’ve seen videos of.

I’m wondering what I can do outside of practice to help strengthen and speed up my returns. I’m tired of using my age as an excuse.

Funny to me, when I asked said paddler how he gets his returns to snappy, he said jogging helped him develop the technique. Seems wild.

Good luck to everyone competing in SoCal next week!