Re: [Paddlewise] Racing and paddles with hydrofoil shape

On Thu, 23 Jul 1998, Rich Kulawiec wrote:

> On Thu, Jul 23, 1998 at 02:18:41PM -0700, Julio MacWilliams wrote:
> > Racing is different because races normally take place in ideal and
> > controlled conditions. Racing boats are not designed to roll and move around
> > rocks and waves, neither racing paddles. Racing gear is designed to 
> > maximize the efficiency of the human body motion to move forward in
> > ideal conditions.
> 
> What?  Race boats, at least slalom racing boats, *are* designed for
> precisely that purpose.  Same for the paddles; and the designs of both
> represent attempts to maximize speed and maneuverability simultaneously.
> 

Rich! Open your mind a little bit, for crying out loud. Julio is obviously
talking about flatwater sprint kayak "race boats", not slalom boats. Do
not assume that all "race boats" are slalom boats. remember, this is a SEA
KAYAK list, although there are plenty of whitewater friendly people on
this list. I am starting to wonder if you are not trying to deliberately
antagonize people with your whitewater single-mindedness. 

> Which means compromises have to be made: slalom boats aren't as fast
> as downriver/wildwater boats in a straight line, but they turn far
> easier (flat-spins or pivots).   Similar comments can be made about
> creek racing boats, where the important design criteria are shifted
> somewhat toward the safety issues involved.  And so on onto flatwater/sprint
> racing boats, marathon boats, and so on.
> 
> ---Rsk
> Rich Kulawiec
> rsk_at_gsp.org
> 
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