VRCC CHANGE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

FOR THE PADDLER GETTING IN

 

  1. The boat Capt. should position himself across the race line at least 20 boat lengths ahead of your canoe.  When he gives the signal you jump from the back of the boat and swim together to line up.
  2. Line up with other paddlers in the water so that the boat does not have to go off of the race line to pick you up.  After jumping from the escort boat you may have to swim out a bit to make sure you are on the “rum” line.
  3. The higher seat number is closest to the canoe.  If changing 2 and 5, 5 will be the first one the canoe gets to.
  4. Allow more than the normal seat distance between the two of you.  There are 2 seats between the 2, 5 change then allow 3 or 4 seats distance in the water.  This way you don’t crowd each other and you grab the boat separately.
  5. When you are about one boat length from the seat you are going into you need to start swimming to meet the boat.  You should be aimed at midway between the boat and the Ama.  **Steersman should try to not crowd the paddlers coming in.**
  6. The main reason for swimming towards the boat is to get your butt and legs up near surface level.  Imagine when you pull yourself out of a swimming pool.  If you do it with your body and legs hanging deep in the water it takes a lot of force to get out.  If you swim towards the edge of the pool and pull yourself out while maintaining forward motion you pop out easily.
  7. There should be tape on the side of the canoe to indicate where to grab.  This tape should be about 12 inches or more ahead of the seat.
  8. You are now swimming aggressively to meet the canoe.  Breast stroke works well.  You site your grab point and as it approaches you angle your swim into the hull and go for your grab.  Again be aggressive with a firm grip about shoulder width apart.  From here you can go for two methods, the hip drop, or leg hook.  The hip drop is where you pull your body up, lock your elbows as your arms come straight with your body above the canoe, and then twist your hip to sit on the gunnel.  Your hip should be twisted slightly placing your body just behind your right arm...  From this position you lift your arms up to allow you to swing your legs in the boat and drop your butt on the seat.  With the leg hook you get as much height as you can with your arm pull, swing your leg over the gunnel and pull yourself into the boat.
  9. If you have your legs and butt near surface level by swimming both of these methods will require moderate effort.  If you are hanging deep you will lose your grip or end up doing the “crab” along the side of the canoe.
  10. No matter what position you end up in try to get all of your body parts out of the water ASAP.  A leg dragging makes it hard for you to get in and it kills boat speed.  You are better to be laying cross ways over the gunnels with your legs sticking out in the air towards the Ama than having them in the water.
  11. Again most times you blow a change it is because you were to low in the water.  By swimming to attack the boat then going for an aggressive grab and last kick you will probably execute a successful change.

 

FOR THE PADDLER GETTING OUT:

 

  1. When you are about a boat length from the incoming paddler you should stop paddling, set your paddle beside your right leg or in the paddle holders if the boat has them.  Don’t cut this to close.  It throws an incoming paddler off if he/she sees someone still in the seat when they grab for the gunnel.
  2. Place your hands on each gunnel to assist you to raise your body up and roll out of the boat.  You do not want to “eject” yourself from the boat as you will push it sideways into the entering paddlers making it difficult for them to get in.
  3. When you are in the water you should swim towards each other and allow the escort boat to come to you.  Wait for the boat Capt. To give the “all clear” then enter the boat.
  4. Make sure you sit down for a bit and get your bearings in the boat before grabbing for food and water.  This also allows the boat to get going and catch up with the canoe so the coach can “coach”.  Once you are caught up with the canoe and the boat has slowed to canoe speed the Capt. Will give the OK to get your stuff.  Refuel and get ready to go again.