Photo Galleries

Mike starts from Molokai`, Travis stretches in anticipation.

Support boats set off in pursuit.

Mike settling into a rhythm.

Mike climbs into the support boat.

Travis gets into the swing of things and puts into practice what he's learnt during his time in Hawai`i.

Both Mike and Travis have very differing 'paddling styles'. Of Mike it is said, 'What an amazing competitor and great athlete' of Travis 'How do you go so fast when you're so small?'...Well Travis is of course a great competitor and a very fine OC6 steerer. Look at the images and see the 'static' more upright 'style' of Mike at around 6' and the more 'dynamic' aggressive 'style' of Travis at around 5'7".

Mike looks on as Travis gets a push up the back-side.

By comparison, Mike uses the natural height and therefore 'length' of his torso and arms for reach, leverage and torque, thereby appearing to be smoother, more upright and to some degree, seemingly more relaxed while paddling. If Travis paddled this way, his lack of height would limit his effectiveness and therefore he must generate power using a more aggressive approach.

Hand-over-hand, vertical shaft, body 'over' the stroke as it were, downward pressure and big body rotation, ensures maxium 'torque'. Use such images for creatively visualising yourself doing exactly this if using a more dynamic paddle style.

Relaxed, early exit and recovery. Note also, that the seat is as close to the foot-wells as good balance will allow; this allows the paddler to 'get-over' the stroke and apply pressure to the blade. If the seat is too far aft, because the feet are only marginally lower than paddler's butt, you will feel very much 'behind the stroke' and you will struggle to generate a powerful pull at the front and middle of the stroke. Of a rudderless, sit in-side, va`a hoe, the Tahitian paddler can generate a good deal of power, getting 'over' the stroke as the feet are substantially lower than the butt as per an OC6 seat arrangement.