Technique is important
Posted by: mjamja
on Nov-13-12 12:10 AM (EST)
If you have a Euro carbon or fiberglass paddle there is a preferred method for pushing off. Assuming you want to push off backwards from the sandbar plant the paddle into the sand at or just in front of your feet. The paddle should be at a 30 to 40 degree angle with the ground. Now you can apply force dircetly down the shaft so you are not bending the shaft or the blade. The paddles are much stronger this way than if you planted it more vertically and kind of used a reverse stroke motion to pry yourself off the bar.
You might need to use a couple of pushes and replants to get off since this method only lets you move the boat a little at a time.
Mark