: Hi All, Need some correct advise on paddling a kayak,my friend
: claims on the left stroke you press with your left foot on the
: left pedal and on the right stroke press the right foot which
: accelerates the kayak, my view is opposite on the left stroke
: press with the right foot on the right pedal and on the right
: stroke press with the left foot, my thoughts are that you use
: your
: whole body powering the stroke not just your arms as his suggests.
: Thanks for settling a dumb question but I want to paddle
: correctly. Nick R.

Nick,
This is an interesting discussion. At a symposium a few years ago I heard two instructors explain a paddle stroke, one said he pushed with the foot on the same side as the paddle stroke, the other pushed with the opposite foot. The funny thing was after more detailed discussion it became evident that they were both describing basically the same principle with polar opposite visualizations. I've also had a discussion with a paddler who was convinced that the propulsion force from the paddle, through the paddler, was transmitted to the kayak only through the foot pegs. Instead, I'm more of the thought that the propulsive forces aren't transferred just through the foot pegs, but rather through the aggregrate connection of the paddler to the kayak.
I think The foot pegs in a kayak are much more about general connection of the paddler to the boat then they are about transmitting acceleration forces to the kayak. In fact, I'd contend that the foot pegs (or rudder pedals) play no independent part in force transfer -- try paddling without foot pegs, accelerating to speed on flat water, and I believe you'll find it impossible to slide you forward in your seat. The propulsion forces from the paddle is transferred to the kayak without foot pegs in place. I think the extent to which you can slide yourself forward in your seat when foot pegs are out is the same as how much propulsion force is transferred to the kayak through the foot pegs.
Instead, the leg/foot interaction with the foot pegs should be done in such a way as to position the body for an ergonomic & efficient stroke. It is not about transferring force to the foot peg, it is rather enabling good body positioning. I'd say one universal characteristic of a good stroke is torso rotation and good torso rotation starts at the feet/legs. I'm more in the camp of engaging the opposite foot. As a simplified explanation, the way I've taught this in a strokes class is for a stroke on the right side, to engage the left (opposite) foot, drop the right knee to initiate the torso rotation for the paddle stroke on the right.

-John

-John