[Paddlewise] Re throw-weight

A wooden Greenland-style paddle is heavy, but it has a couple of
differences over other paddles.  On mine, the shaft is about an eighth of
an inch thicker where I grip it than is the shaft on my Werner paddles.
For me the larger diameter is comfortable.  All three of my paddles--one
Greenland and two Werners--are well balanced.  Most of the weight is in the
shaft, close to my hands, so I don't notice it too much.  However, I have a
cut-down plastic and aluminum paddle that I carry as a reserve.  I learned
the hard way that it will get me home.  However, it's a bummer to use.
Most of the weight is out in the blade and it doesn't balance.  It's the
only one of my paddles that is unbalanced.  My wooden canoe paddles are
fairly light and well balanced.

Some time back I corresponded with Hank Hayes about replacing that clunky
reserve paddle with a good one, but I took his advice--he said the cost
would be more than the benefit that I'd derive.  So, I'm still carrying the
clunker.

I got the Greenland paddle because I was having problems with a very sore
right arm back in the late winter.  I didn't know whether the problem was
the feathering (45 degrees), the size of the blades, or both.  I've
concluded that a combination of overstressing my arm on a weekend in
January, blade size, and feathering produced the problem.  Once my arm got
sore, it just didn't get well again.  Now it's better.  Two weeks ago I
paddled a couple of hours with my big paddle, a W. Wenatchee.  That
afternoon my arm was a little sore, but it was fine the next day.

I like my Greenland paddle but I'm not convinced that it's the only way to
go.  An unfeathered 220 cm Werner Little Dipper would work as well or
nearly as well.  When I get ready to replace the Greenlander, I'll rethink
the whole issue.

Bob

--------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Perkins, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Planning
Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-630-7037     rperkins_at_methodist.edu


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