Paul Stokes' Corner

Dear Barefoot Central,

I wanted to ask a question about my back deep water starts. In my dry-suit I find the start far easier although a dry-suit is not ideal all year round and my problem is that when I set my feet in and wait for speed as soon as I drop the handle to change the weight from my chest to my feet and start to break at the waist I seem to catch one of my feet in the water and fall right over onto my head. Also I feel really sore when I am riding on my chest yet all the other footers could ride on their chests all day without any pain. I wanted to ask if you could give me any tips on how to combat this problem of coming over my feet and hurting and feeling uncomfortable when I am riding on my chest.

Andrew McDonald 15
Northern Ireland

Andrew,

Your not the first person to say that, so it must be easier to some extent.  There should be little difference between the dry and wet suits.  You should eliminate the "handle drop".  NEVER have the handle pulled in.  From the "get go" have the pull from the boat coming through relaxed arms to your shoulders.  The discomfort in your chest might come in your fold from pressing down on your shoulders with a rounded back.  Instead, press down with your chest and have an arch in your back on your fold.  This combined with relaxed arms will take care of your upper body.  Don't forget head up. Your lower body should have relaxed ankles working your legs together and turning your feet down into the pressure.  A slight knee bend to finish it off.  This will create the energy needed to stand up, working with the pressure, instead of "gas pedaling".

Here's a note for your driver:
Smooth and slow to a solid plant.  Firm acceleration up to around 28-30 m.p.h.  This may take exceeding the r.p.m.’s and then "feathering" back to obtain 28-30 m.p.h.

Let me know if it help’s.

Stokeman OUT!

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