Re: Cadence

Paddling hard, I do about 45 strokes per minute (around 11.5-12km/h) - counting on one side only. Sprinting, I get up to about 55 or 60 (13-14km/h).

Can you guys point me where to get a metronome? That can surely help set and keep the pace while training.

At good music shops you should be able to get small battery operated ones . Mine is about 9x5 cm. I put it in a zip lock bag and take out on the water. Leave a bit of excess air in it so it will float if it comes adrift. It has buttons to adjust rating.
They are not very expensive. Don't get ripped off, some places try to charge you $AUS 90 for what should cost about $aus 10.

Andrew

I didn't know what a metronome was. Here is what Wikipedia says:

"A metronome is any device that produces a regulated audible and/or visual pulse, usually used to establish a steady beat, or tempo, measured in beats-per-minute (BPM) for the performance of musical compositions. It is an invaluable practice tool for musicians that goes back hundreds of years.

Musicians use metronomes when they practice in order to maintain an established tempo; by adjusting the metronome, facility is achieved at varying tempi. Even in pieces that do not require strict time (see rubato), a metronome is used to give an indication of the general tempo intended by the composer. Many pieces provide a tempo indication at the top of the manuscript."

How do you use one while paddling and to what end?

I must say this post has got me baffled too. I have never been concerned about cadence or keeping a particular cadence. The thing with surfskiing is that the conditions are usually changing all the time so keeping a constant cadence would seem counter productive. Upwind my cadence slows while downwind I vary between paddling as fast as I possibly can to just sitting there with my blade skimming the water.

I'm no expert though. How can a metronome improve your paddling?

I suppose using a stroke meter or a metronome for that purpose only suits those paddling in flat or calm waters. Having a steady stroke rate in downwind conditions don't apply as you're pretty much surfing.

I also started using this with our dragonboat team. Helps build efficiency in every stroke and focus on technique. In surfski or k1, I get to paddle at a constant rate while trying to keep a steady speed and relaxing when I can to have my heart rate controlled too. Again, this only applies on flat or calm waters.

Just curious at what rate other paddlers are rowing at. I am currently rowing a Fenn wing paddle on a OC Sprinter. During a typical training run my cadence is between 70-80 strokes per minute. In flatwater on this plastic yak my avg speed is about 5 mph. I would love to hear from other paddlers.

Thanks

Check out our video clip of Hank McGregor taking off at the Grand Prix relay, the day before the ARB Surf Ski World Cup. He's got a pretty high stroke rate right there.

surfski.info/index.php?option=com_conten...iew&id=463&Itemid=98

107 strokes per minute!

I've used a waterproof metronome (meant for swimming) when paddling. I lost it recently, but it worked great when doing K1 workouts on flatwater. It worked especially well for slow cadences, for instance doing 60 spm technique work. Without the metronome I'd almost certainly pick my cadence up too high. It is called TempoTrainer by Finis.