John Puakea Teaches Canoe Paddling Technique: The Catch - Part 1

Here's another canoe paddling technique video from elite paddler and championship coach John Puakea. This time Johnny teaches us in detail an important part of the canoe paddle stroke: "The Catch". According to Johnny, it is critical to set your catch correctly since it is the first part of your paddle stroke. If you don't get the catch right, it will be hard to get the rest of your stroke right as well. Johnny himself spent one year mastering his catch.

As the founder of Puakea Designs, John is an internationally sought after canoe builder as well as a championship-winning paddling coach, whose career as a canoeing innovator and promoter has evolved with the expanding paddling sports market.

Over years of coaching, John's own experience as an elite paddler, combined with his talent for refining technique and efficiency, have nurtured the best assets of other paddlers at the highest level of competition. After coaching the US National Kayak Team at various Olympic training centers, homesick, John moved back to Hawaii to coach various top outrigger canoe teams, including both the men's and the women's team for the winning Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki for six years.

As an exceptional technical coach, John has helped push world-class paddlers to the next level in international competition. His ability to improve the performance of already-elite paddlers also led Team Bradley to consecutive first-place finishes in the Molokai-to-Oahu Na Wahine O Ke Kai, and to the fastest crossing time by any women's team in the history of the race. Johnny has also coached top OC1 paddlers like Jimmy Austin, Danny Ching and Lauren Spalding.

John's knowledge of body mechanics complements his strengths in canoe building. His top-performing designs include the Kaimana, the Kainalu, the Pueo 1, the Ehukai—and the new superstar, the Kahe Kai—all OC1 canoes. New in OC6 production, is his very fast Puakea Unlimited (Malolo) canoe, owned by various West Coast mainland and international teams in anticipation of top times in this new ultralight division. Top Tahitian team, Shell Va'a, chose John's Makika OC6 design for the grueling Olamau Race in 2013, and won in all three stages.

John's inherent craftsmanship and design finesse come from an early indoctrination into canoe culture by his father, Bobby Puakea, beloved coach, renowned wooden canoe builder, and Puakea Foundation of Hawaii founder. While traditional sensibilities and a duty to cultural stewardship inspire John's designs, speed considerations drive the end product. John's elegantly styled canoes are among the fastest and race-proven on the water anywhere in the world.

For the wider paddling community, John is continuing to advance paddling performance with this new line of products, including outrigger and SUP paddles, applying the same technical and aesthetic standards used in his OC1s and OC6s. Additionally, John is also available (depending on his schedule) for coaching for clubs, groups and paddling events.

#StandUpPaddleSurf #JohnPuakea #PuakeaDesigns #PaddleTechnique #PaddlingTechnique #PaddlingTutorial #PaddleStroke #PaddleStrokeTechnique #TahitianPaddlingTechnique #TahitianCanoePaddling #CanoePaddler #CanoePaddle #OutriggerCanoe #OC1 #OC6 #OneManCanoe #SixManCanoe #SUP #SUPPaddle #StandUpPaddle #StandUpPaddling #StandUpPaddle #StandUpPaddleSurfing #supsurfdotnet

[davidvelazquez]

I constantly watch John Puakea videos. His analysis and explanation of his stroke mechanics are very different from what I've seen most "top paddling coaches" perscribe. I would love to be able to attend a clinic and pick his brain. I have been incorporating his techniques in my sup paddling and I can definitely feel and see more power and a more consistent speed on the board. Please keep bringing him back for more videos. Thank you so much for this video and thanks to John Puakea for taking the time as well.

[JamesHunterRoss]

This is all THE best advice... it took me at least six months of paddling to really start to "get it". Now, I'm so disappointed if I don't get a good catch; it is a wasted stroke. Depending on conditions I'll reach more or less; quick stab or longer pulls. But, the catch has to be there, always. If I take out newbie friends, I'll try to have them watch this first!

[kathleenfritz]

Thank you, John, I'm sharing your video with my team it truly emphasizes on how to move the boat forward without cavitation pulling air. The press down not forward will help the team to bury that blade and move the boat quickly thanks again!!!

[waimirirangipapalii-smith]

Thank you for such an indepth explanation on the basics of paddling, it's really helped me on my Waka journey. I have only just started and found this video so helpful. Love the questions that were asked and answered as well. Nga mihi nui

[ChristelVinot]

I'm going from flatwater kayaking with a double bladed paddle, to whitewater kayaking with a single bladed paddle (c1 conversion kayak) so I'm watching all the vids I can about paddling technique. Even though I've been paddling hardcore flatwater for a few years now, this was eye-opening. Thank you!

[seymore_life]

I’m here to learn how to pick up my pace on a single waka. I must be skimming and my next session I’ll work on burying the blade. Cheers John love watching your videos!

[GenaroJasso]

I really appreciate the breakdown of the paddle stroke. Great video.

[davefaulkner]

I’ve been paddling canoes, kayaks for 50 yrs and Dragonboats & O1’s (converted Marathon kayak to Outrigger) since 2003. I’ve recently started paddling OC boats and liked it so much I’ve bought a new paddle.
I’ve found that the average paddle length I’ve been advised to use seems very short, even compared to the really short dragonboat paddle (52” max length).
I’ve found that I’m having to almost lay flat in an OC6 and hold the shaft about 12” above the blade to get the blade fully buried, (Club paddles are about 48-50”).
I’ve bought a double crank paddle & need to cut it down to use (Canoe paddle, came at 60”).
I’ve looked at various advice videos and gen advice seems to suggest 54” would be the ideal length for my height and arm length.
If I sit on the floor with a paddle next to me, 54” is a comfortable reach.

So, I’m after a few more opinions on paddle length for a 5’ 11” paddler with long arms! As a guide, my kayak slalom blades are 210cm and my kayak racing blades 220cm.

[billennis]

Love the breakdown. Great for us inland haoles to see this info. Thank you!!

[FKA-]

Many thanks on the proper technique 🤙🤙

[tylermatzke]

Uhhh.... Makes me think... I got a canoe this spring it was a cheap toy I had to have and we go out and play but it's really cool seeing what can be done and how to be efficient

[markmoreno]

Very interesting, however I wonder if the tech may be slightly different for the Okinawan blade which is much longer and thinner. I find it more difficult to set since it needs to go in further but just as quick. It is used both for Haari and Sabani boats. So they may be long a purpose to be useful for either boat. The Sabani is bigger and occupants sit closer to the waterline in the middle vs at the head or stern, yet everyone uses the same length paddle.

[hmitch]

This will help me with SUP too. Any of those boats for sale in the background?

[stanking]

Thanks no need to reach too far lock pull got it

[carolbeckett]

That’s why I prefer a longer paddle . You don’t have to bend your body as much to get your catch stroke.

[residentmanager]

Aloha, I’m building a similar tank for my club. I want to ask someone about that below water, center divider. Is there someone I can contact?

[kcphilo]

love Puakea everything. wish John wouldnt say boat all the time tho 🤷🏽‍♂️

[SuprchrgSS.LS]

Mahalo ! Johnny !.. Excellent Video !..thanks for Sharing !! ;o)

[jamesjahoda]

I wonder if thats fresh water. It would be interesting to try and feel the difference.

[floridatown]

I come out a little earlier - so all propulsion is forward, not down at the back of the stroke.