Re: [Paddlewise] efficiency of Greenland paddles (was confused Aussie :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
> 
> >... it is extremely difficult to see any
> >advantage to one type of paddle over another in a recreational setting.

To which Gerry responded:

> ... I heatedly disagree that it is extremely difficult to see any
> advantage to one type of paddle.  If you use a stopwatch over a measured
> distance, and for several time trials, using say a 7'2" wing and an 8'
> narrow blade paddle you will detect a huge, imense and, what is more, a big
> difference.

As I have stated previously, in the context of racing there is a
significant difference.  What I have been claiming is that there is
little difference in the efficiency of modern versus Greenland paddles
in the context of recreational touring (except in those rare cases where
one needs to sprint). If you are suggesting that you need a time trial
with several repetitions and a stopwatch to see the difference, then it
would seem that you are helping to make my point.  

Based on the observations of myself and others, it is evident that
people who use Greenland paddles have no difficulty in keeping up with
their better-equiped counterparts when touring.  Moreover, they do not
seem to be more fatigued by the end of the day.  Folks who use poor
technique or who are in poor condition do have trouble keeping up and do
become more fatigued, regardless of the type of paddle they use.  In
short, it has been my observation that one's choice of paddle has a
trivial effect on paddling efficiency at typical touring speeds, in that
any resulting difference in efficiency is swamped by even modest
differences in technique and conditioning.

Have others had similar experiences, or do folks who use Greenland
paddles have difficulty in keeping up with their fellow paddlers? 
Admittedly this is not a scientific experiment.  But my point is
precisely that one would need a very carefully designed, well controlled
experiment to see any difference, because the differences are so small
(at typical touring speeds).

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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