Relaxing, and ever so slightly peculiar, is this footage of an American Freestyle Canoeing master at work.
American Freestyle canoeing is the art of paddling a canoe on flat water with perfect control of its movements. The canoe is usually leaned over to the side to help the boat turn sharply and efficiently and paddle strokes are taken on either side of the canoe depending on the individual move. Balance, paddle placement and turn initiation are a few keys to this control. Since the movements seem dance-like, some practice this art timed to music, which is the ultimate in control.
A redditor on Ornstein's unique abilities:
His backstroke tilted side-turn is probably the best you'll ever see. Not to mention he pretty much invented the inverted wind-slide. He was the first one to ever do it in the late 90s. I know some people are going to laugh, but it really is the most dangerous trick in the sport. People have sustained serious arm injuries and muscle tears attempting it. Sven Englewood almost drowned trying to perform it in the 2009 World Championships.
Anyway, guys like Ornstein are the reason Freestyle Canoeing has grown with such popularity in the last couple decades.
Shhh. Whatever you're about to say: Shhhhhhhh.
Also fits the sartorial-semiotic slot that the British and Chinese plug snooker into.
