ConstantLearner

One of the things EJ taught us about on the Ottawa is trying to maintain a “broad external focus” when we kayak. What does this mean? Well, it means that we should try to look at the entire river while we’re kayaking and not just the bow of our boat (what most nervous kayakers do). This helps us to not only be more aware of our surroundings, but it’s also a mental trick to keep nerves at bay. When we were going through Phil’s Hole, EJ wanted us to take in the whole rapid, glance downstream at him, and then execute our move to get over the rapid. I, for one, completely forgot to do this when I was paddling through, but I want to keep working on it.

In the September edition of Outside magazine there’s an article about EJ called “The Alpha Geek”. I believe it was this article that described how EJ won the 2007 World Championships. The article’s author sketched the scene of EJ’s final ride and how, when he ferried out onto to the wave, he gave a purposeful glance at the judges and smiled. To some, this might have smacked of bravado and showmanship, but I think it was really broad external focus in action. EJ was calming his nerves and focusing on the task at hand. Given that he ended up winning the title, it just goes to show you that it really works.

The rest of us, mere mortals that we may be, can use broad external focus to our advantage too. When I’ve been up at Spencer’s Hole the last couple of times I’ve tried this trick out and it really helps. When I get on the wave/hole I try to look over in the eddy at the other kayakers before I try a spin. And when I’m back surfing I look down at the runout to see who is trying to make the attainment. I notice a big difference in my balance and control when I do this. Give it a try!