Robert, >>Robert C. Perkins wrote: >> Would we actually be able to go farther on less energy if >> we used a single bladed paddle and switched sides every 4-6 strokes? Rich Kulawiec answered: >I don't think so - even if you skipped switching sides in order >to keep the stroke rate up. Compare the times for K-1/C-1, K-2/C-2 >sprint racers from the last Olympics -- I think it can be safely >assumed that all of these athletes are in about the same physical >condition and are paddling similar boats. Even though the canoe >stroke has more power in it (since the paddler is kneeling), the >canoes aren't as fast because the kayaks maintain a higher stroke rate. That's for sprints. Used to be that marathon canoe paddlers using canoe paddles could outdistance sprint kayakers for the long haul, which they attributed to the fact that canoe paddles at under 10 ounces are lighter and could be used longer with less fatigue than much heavier (approx. 3X the weight) kayak paddles. But that seems to have changed some. Used to be that all the Texas Water Safari paddlers used canoe paddles, but the winners in recent years have switched to using kayak paddles for the major part of the race. They don't use wings, cause wings rip their bodies apart for a long race. They use standard kayak paddles, the lightest ones they can find. The Texas Water Safari is 260 miles nonstop, though participants can stop and rest if they wish. There is an unlimited class where they put 4 to 6 paddlers in a 30+ foot specially built canoe and head for the finish line (using lights at night). Record high river levels last year allowed a finish time of under 30 hours, which broke the old record by over 4 hours if I remember right. A low water year can produce 45 to 50 hour first place finish times. Anyone on the course over 100 hours any year is disqualified. None of this wimpy Finlandia Special 20 or so mile leg then rest for a night stuff for Texans! I actually thought about entering back when I was young and foolish (and marathon racing). I never did, and now I'm old and foolish, but not enough so to paddle against Texans. Kayakers can use canoe paddles, but most aren't seated high enough for them to be efficient. Good luck, Hank Hays *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 30 1998 - 21:06:35 PST
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