Ocean ski vs K1 vs Spec ski paddling

Look at an Olympic medallist (like Van Koeverdon above) vs an ocean ski paddler and they can look pretty different. However the fundamental components of rotation, leg drive and control of the top/guide hands are very similar. World ski champion Oscar Chalupsky is well known in ocean ski circles but less so in K1/Spec ski paddlers. His series of videos demonstrate very simple strategies to improve your paddling particularly for the top hand. See parts 1-4 in this series below (5 minutes each). I particularly like the idea of not letting the blade get beyond vertical

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYPG3LsVKk

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYQrn82EaUA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAnreDPMG3A

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpeIczLujQo

Against that Epic have a series of videos by Greg Barton & Clint Robinson which pretty much coach ocean ski paddling technique to be similar to K1 and spec ski technique here (https://www.epickayaks.com/post/technique-series?srsltid=AfmBOoo6BEZZkdX_7eOzC_7Skm07F6lOpYYhSmkmYialAYbvBCS7MV9J). In our experience the best way to improve technique is to paddle with a squad that prioritises technique in all efforts (rather than “grinding” without technique) that has some good technical paddlers to learn from by observation. An ergo with a mirror is also a great way of correcting technical issues and learning what correct technique feels like (which then translates to the water more effectively)