2015 ICF World Championships Slalom
 
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2
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K1M
CZ J. PRSKAVEC
PL M. POLACZYK
US M. SMOLEN
K1W
CZ K. KUDEJOVA
DE R. FUNK
DE M. PFEIFER
C1M
GB D. FLORENCE
SI B. SAVSEK
GB R. WESTLEY
C1W
AU J. FOX
CZ K. HOSKOVA
ES N. VILARRUBLA
C2
DE ANTON/BENZIEN
FR PICCO/BISO
FR KLAUSS/PECHE

Freestyle

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The Bow Stall with Kelsey Thompson

bow stall freestyle training kayak canoe flips spins jackson whitewater icf sportscene technique

By: Kelsey Thompson - The bow stall is an advanced playboating move that involves balancing vertically on the bow of your kayak in flat water. This move requires amazing control and will take lots of practice to master. Mastering the bow stall will improve your vertical moves and help you better understand the balance points of your kayak.

The first thing you need to do is get your kayak vertical on the bow. There are a few ways to do this, you can double pump you bow under water or you can perform a bow plow. The bow plow is slower but technically easier, while the double pump is faster but will take more time to perfect. (If you can’t already do this take a look at the double pump article I wrote a month ago)

Kelsey Thompson - © Kelsey Thompson Leaning back pull you more vertically - © Kelsey Thompson Leaning forward flattens out your boat - © Kelsey Thompson Try grabbing onto something like a dock if you're struggling - © Kelsey Thompson
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Once your vertical on your bow you need to get both paddle blades in the water and your weight in a moderately aggressive (slightly forward) position. With both blades in the water you can push or pull on them to help keep you from falling side to side. (A paddle with an offset between 0 and 30 degrees will make this easier) With your weight in this moderately aggressive position you’ll have the most control over your boat because going over vertical causes most flips.

The most misunderstood part of bow stalling is your body positioning. When you lean back your kayak is actually pulled more vertically and when you lean forward your kayak flattens out. Although it may feel unnatural to go against this it is essential for the move. When you lean forward you can also push down with both blades to help flatten your boat out. When you lean back you can pull on both blades to help pull the boat more vertically.Combining these subtly body movements with the side to side stability your paddle offers is the key to bow stalling. Once you’ve mastered these body leans without thinking about them, you’ll be bow stalling for hours.

If you're struggling try grabbing onto a dock or the side of a pool, pulling yourself into a bow stall and using the edge to give you balance. This will help give you a better understanding of what your body movements will do to your boats angle without falling on your face right away.

More moves: Backdeck Roll, Stern Stall, Flatwater Cartweel, Flatwater Loop, Double Pump and a video.  

  
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