Sit'n'switch

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Sit'n'Switch is a Canadian canadian paddling style developed by marathon paddlers in North America. It is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, but not in canoe racing, where the rules of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) still apply. It is usually ridden with an articulated shaft paddle , as traditional straight paddle paddles have biomechanical disadvantages; they generate comparatively less propulsion, and by increasing the lifting of the water towards the end of the pulling phase, they cause more pounding of the boat hull.

Sit'n'Switch is usually driven sitting and not kneeling. The legs are stretched forward. The paddle is immersed at about knee height, pulled hard and pulled out again at about seat height. A high paddling frequency (about 60 to 120 beats per minute) is possible due to the short passage distance. However, there is no time or space for paddling to correct course. That is why the Sit'n'Switch changes sides every five to ten paddle strokes (called “switch” , hence the second name), without the paddling rhythm being interrupted by changing sides.

To change sides, let go of the guide hand and let the paddle shaft slide through the shaft hand while changing sides . Meanwhile, the (former) leading hand grasps the shaft above the blade root and thus becomes the new shaft hand. The shaft hand that has slid up the shaft becomes the new guide hand.