Seat Roles & Responsibilities in the OC6
I added a few extra comments with the **.
SEATS ONE (STROKER) AND TWO
The Stroker sits in the very front seat of the canoe. Paddlers in seats one and two are primarily concerned with ensuring the rhythm and pace of the paddle strokes which seats three through five will follow. They paddle on opposite sides and as such neither has a paddle to follow. The Stroker at the front of the canoe must set a more or less consistent pace which varies according to the nature of the race and water conditions. The paddler behind in number two seat must follow in perfect time mirroring the Stroker's pace so as the power distribution remains equal and synchronized down the length of the canoe. The Stroker's job is crucial in ensuring the consistency of the crew working at an optimum pace and rhythm. When rounding markers, the Stroker and seat number two work together to turn the front of the canoe.
** The Stroker must focus on rate and pace, and not on power. Ideally, the Stroker will also provide power, but too much focus on pulling and the Stroker will become exhausted which in turn, will cause the rate and pace for the entire canoe to drop. Despite good intentions to help out his or her crew, trying to pull too much will have the opposite effect.
** Seats One and Two, under direction of the steersperson, share responsibility with keeping the nose of the canoe straight at the starting line of races. They communicate distance to the line; while paddling, they also warn of obstacles.
** A common misconception with new paddlers is that since the stroker is valued for consistency, the stroker paddles the same rate all the time. This couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, the stroker needs to be consistent from one side to the next, but the rate varies with conditions - changes in the ocean and wind, points during the race, and condition and mindset of the crew.
SEATS THREE AND FOUR
Often referred to as the power seats or the "Engine Room," the heavier, stronger paddlers will generally take these positions. It is their primary task to provide the brute power required to push the canoe along. Number four seat generally takes responsibility for ensuring the canoe remains as dry as possible, bailing water when needed.
**At time, Three or Four will call changes.
SEAT FIVE
Again, a power seat they also need to have knowledge of steering to assist the Steerer when necessary. They are also referred to as the Keeper of the Ama. This entails that they must eyeball the Ama to make sure it is stable. If it looks at any time to be lifting and threatening to capsize (Huli), they must quickly react to save it. Failing this, numbers Three and Four need to recognize the predicament and also try to prevent a Huli. Number Five must also take responsibility for bailing should there be an excess of water in the canoe as by the time water is collecting towards the aft end of the canoe, there is definitely too much water onboard.
**Under direction from the Steersperson, Seats 4 and 5 are responsible for keeping the canoe up with other canoes at the start of races. They should position themselves so that they are even with the 4s and 5s in the lead canoe.
SEAT SIX (THE STEERER)
The Steerer, who is ideally the captain of the canoe calls the shots, motivates the crew and sets the canoe up for the best course and catching the swells. They plan and navigate a course and have a big responsibility during sprint races as they must set the canoe up for a good turn around the buoys. They need to have a good paddling relationship with seat five in protecting the Ama and indeed, with all the crew. Steering a 45ft/400lb canoe on the open ocean in rough water is an art form. Those that learn their trade well can be considered masters of a task which requires intimate understanding of the dynamics of the ocean and the nuances of the canoe and crew.
Additional information about each position:
What are the characteristics of a good Stroker?
Being Stroker is first and foremost psychologically challenging as they have the position of not being able to follow anyone and must therefore remain at all times self-motivated and alert. In many respects their role is mentally more challenging than any other in the canoe, with the exception of the Steerer. They must have a natural sense of timing and rhythm and have "eyes in the backs of their heads," being able to intuitively feel how the canoe is traveling and respond by increasing and decreasing the stroke rate where necessary. They need to be aerobically very fit as they may not pull as much water as those behind but they will be working hard on an aerobic level. Above all they need to be good natural athletes with a capacity to read the water and have an understanding of what the paddlers behind can tolerate as an effective, efficient stroke rate.
What are the characteristics of a good Seat Two Paddler?
Much like the stroker, a good sense of timing and rhythm. It is crucial that number two stay in time with the stroker, made all the harder by the fact that they cannot actually follow a blade in front of them, but only the paddlers body movement. Number two needs to talk to the Stroker to encourage and keep them on task at all times.* A good paddling relationship at the front of the canoe will ensure the rest of the canoe is firing well. Numbers one and two are the source of all that happens in the front which then travels back to the other paddlers. Number two takes responsibility for counting the number of strokes per side and calling out when it is time to switch sides (around 10 - 12 strokes). They should also note how the stroke rate is going, in terms of number per minute, and therefore can prompt the Stroker if the rate seems too slow or too fast.
** Seat Two is invaluable in helping Seat One with morale and support - positive comments and positive reinforcement. During a long race, the Stroker can feel isolated; it's always empowering to hear encouragement from behind.
Why are paddlers Three and Four often the heaviest and strongest paddlers?
In order to create a stable canoe, it is preferable to have your heaviest paddlers in the middle of the canoe between the 'iako. In this way their weight stabilizes the canoe by ensuring that it sits reasonably deep in this midsection and therefore that the ama maintains contact with the water. Ideally seat three and four need to be concerned with little else, other than following the front two paddlers and applying maximum leverage. Beyond this, the canoe is widest at its mid-point and therefore physically large paddlers can fit in these seats but often have trouble fitting into seats one or two as the canoe is more narrow up front.
Why does seat Four take responsibility for bailing?
When water enters the canoe it will tend to pool first of all in the mid-section of the canoe. Number four can recognize this and react by bailing. They can also sit up on the 'iako to do so, so that the canoe remains stable while they do bail.
So when does number Five bail?
When there is a serious amount of water and the pool has extended to the rear of the canoe.
**It should not get to this point! Here's data on the weight of water in the canoe. Imagine how much harder you have to work with this extra weight!
- An average depth of 1" of water 8" wide for 20' long in an OC6 canoe is 1.15 cubic feet or 75 lbs.
- An average depth of 2" of water 10"wide by 25' in an OC6 canoe is 3.33 cubic feet or 206 lbs.
An average depth of 3" of water 12" wide by 30' in an OC6 canoe is 7.5 cubic feet and weighs 465 lbs, more than the empty weight of an empty OC6 canoe without its occupants.
(Northern Rivers Outrigger Canoe Club)
The number five paddler has a varied role and perhaps needs to be the most all around paddler. They should ideally be competent Steerers and of course, strong paddlers. They need to be able to be totally flexible in their paddling ability, so as they can eyeball the Ama and protect it and change paddling sides rapidly and frequently if need be. They may also need to paddle for long stretches at a time, much like the Steerer, on the left side to protect the Ama, so as the steerer can concentrate on steering. Their reactions must at all times be fully intuitive, working in with the Steerer when it is needed. Also, new and inexperienced paddlers will generally be placed in this seat as there will be no paddlers behind them to be effected by their learning curve.
What are the characteristics of a good Steerer?
The Steerer has without question the greatest degree of responsibility within the canoe and one that is often overlooked by other paddlers. They must steer a good course, read the ocean and work the canoe so it interacts and travels at its maximum potential at all times. They most motivate the crew, call changes to stroke rates if they feel it necessary and ensure the overall safety of the canoe. Experience counts for a lot in this position. Time on the water in all conditions is a must and an intuitive understanding of ocean dynamics is crucial to achieving maximum canoe speed. The best Steerers happen also to be excellent solo outrigger canoeists.
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