Last week we looked at what makes a K2 fly. While the back seat of a K2 is generally reserved for the stronger paddlers, the front seat of a K2 is usually occupied by the more experienced paddler, or sometimes the slightly smaller of the two, and the paddler with the easier stroke for the back seat partner to follow.
The key roles of a front seat paddler are:
Stroking and pacing
Setting the stroke that is the most appropriate for the particular time in a race is a critical part of the job. Whether it is a 500m sprint, where precise stroke rates and "kick" are essential to success, or simply settling into an economical stroke that you will both be able to sustain for three or four hours of an long distance race, experience plays a big part in deciding on stroke rate and the intensity of the stroke.
While it is possible to see your partners stroke, it is important for the front seat paddler to "feel the stroke, and when it isn't in time, or the boat isn't performing well, as indicators that all is not well in the back seat. Communication in a K2 is vital, and if the back seater isn't talking about fatigue or problems, then the front paddler must feel it, and initiate the discussion.
Often the front, or "stroke" paddler will help a tiring crew by setting an easy, loping and flowing - and even exaggerated - stroke, which, when copied and the boat starts responding to, will help deal with fatigue.
In a river, take and communicate decisions about pace when confronted by obstacles that might require slowing down, or a powerful burst of speed. It makes sense to approach these technical obstacles, like tight channels or turns, on the understanding that the back seat paddler is expected to maintain a steady pace throughout, unless asked to do otherwise by the "driver".
The "driver" may have to stop paddling to use telemark or high brace strokes to steer the boat. Here it is essential that he boat maintains its pace, with steady strokes from the back seat. So - no bracing in the back!
Driving
With a few rare exceptions, the front seat paddler always steers the k2. That means choosing the lines around the course, and setting and keeping a decent straight line on the long stretches. A K2 will twist less in a normal stroke than a K2, so there is less of a need to counteract each stroke with a small pedal adjustment.
The front paddler MUST be able to read the water - where is the strongest flowing water; where should the crew cut a corner to avoid being spun out, which little ripple will translate to a submerged rock or tree; where is the best line down a rocky rapid.
So, in a river where the front seat paddler, or "driver" has to navigate between the rocks and trees, steering skills are essential, and it becomes as important that the back seat paddler trust the drivers steering skills.
Paddling through rapids
The art of paddling through rapids has been well discussed in previous articles, but in a K2, there are a few special things that the driver has to take into consideration.
- Assess as much as possible about the rapid from the top (if you can't see the bottom, you should be getting out and scouting anyway!).
- Work out where the water is going and exiting, and plan the line of least resistance for the K2 down the rapid. In a tight corner this might mean staying inside of the corner of a tight turn, to minimise the chances of hitting the nose.
- If there are a choice of channels, go where th e bulk of the water goes, even if it seems that this is a slightly longer way down the rapid.
- The K2 sits deeper in the water, and therefore requires a deeper channel or tongue between the rocks. It is also less manoeuvrable than a K1, so the driver will have to plan straighter lines down the rapids, even if it means hitting more of the big waves and holes that a K1 might skirt.
Because it is less manoeuvrable, the "driver" in front needs to approach technically tight drops and rapids in such a way that there is a realistic and practical exit. It is not sufficient to simply hurtle the front half of the boat between two rocks, and assume that the back will follow suit.
The driver also needs to take charge of looking after the boat. When shooting rocky drops, weirs, over logs or ledges, a K2 is vulnerable, especially in a low river. If it means sliding the boat sideways rather than the kamikaze straight approach, to protect the boat, he needs to take and communicate that decision timeously.
The communication from the front is important. There is often time to consult, but not much. Generally, in river racing, a decision needs to be taken fast, and communicated. That's why it makes sense to put the more experienced paddler in front.
Shout the planned lines clearly and loudly, so that the back seat paddler knows what to anticipate and respond accordingly. Also, announce any hazards that might be hard to spot from the back seat, like submerged rocks (especially when they are right in the paddle line), or strong eddies or submerged debris.
When portaging, plan routes around obstacles and over fences carefully so that it is easy to get the K2 through. For example, make an effort to walk as wide around a tree in the path, so that it minimises the chances of bashing the boat. Anticipate the closeness to the tree, and roll the boat over, so that the cockpits are away from the tree, and the potential snagging branches.
Don't forget in all this shouting and instructing, to positively reinforce the (what is normally a less experienced) paddler in the back seat. If you shoot an obstacle elegantly, take a moment to praise, or offer a hand for a quick "five". Don't risk a partnership going sour because the front seat paddler is seen as a tense and hostile (so-called) partner!