{"id":16718,"date":"2018-06-19T10:00:55","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T17:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=16718"},"modified":"2018-08-06T09:55:41","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T16:55:41","slug":"cadence-part-3-pace-and-rhythm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2018\/06\/19\/cadence-part-3-pace-and-rhythm\/","title":{"rendered":"Cadence | Part 3: Pace and Rhythm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cadence<\/em> (n): 1.\u00a0Balanced,\u00a0rhythmic\u00a0flow,\u00a0as\u00a0of\u00a0poetry\u00a0or\u00a0oratory.
\n2. The\u00a0measure\u00a0or\u00a0beat\u00a0of\u00a0movement,\u00a0as\u00a0in\u00a0dancing\u00a0or\u00a0marching.<\/p>\n

At a certain point in a paddler\u2019s progression, individual skills begin to coalesce into personal style. The tale-tell sign of early intermediate paddling is choppy, indecisive motion. Spastic body language and wide eyes expose the panicked thoughts of a novice paddler. On the contrary, advanced paddlers are smooth and controlled, even when things are decidedly chaotic. Now that you\u2019ve dialed in your equipment, fitness<\/a>, and fundamental skills<\/a>, Part 3 takes all the building blocks we\u2019ve already discussed and threads them together into seamless paddling.<\/p>\n

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Transitioning into Class III and above, paddlers find themselves knowing a move is needed while running a rapid, but simply cannot manage to squeeze it in. This can be frustrating, and the resulting lack of control can cause fears about quick sequences and pushy water. Often, in an attempt to slow things down, you\u2019ll compensate for this fear with lots of backstrokes.<\/p>\n

Using backstrokes to stall for time or correct your course is intuitive and effective in beginner whitewater. However, robbing the boat of speed immediately takes control away from the paddler and gives it to the current. One of the most important drills, which many aspiring paddlers overlook, is simply paddling their favorite lines without the crutch of backstrokes. Although simple, this requires timing, planning, and proper technique.<\/p>\n

Maintaining a speed slightly faster than the surrounding current is often optimal for river running. At this pace, edges cut without grabbing, the boat has enough momentum to resist cross currents, and the hull tracks while staying nimble. Increasing speed into a sprint causes the boat to climb in the water and surf. Once planing on the bottom of the hull, edges disengage causing the boat to make sudden unplanned turns, and corrective strokes require ever-increasing strength and effort.<\/p>\n