Re: [Paddlewise] Greenland Stroke details

From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 23:50:36 -0700 (PDT)
Terry,
Sorry for the slow response. I had hoped to get water time this weekend to
really formalize my technique to give you a clear answer, but a sick kitty
prevented this. Still, I can give you a pretty good idea I think. 

A little terminology first... The leading edge is in the direction of
lateral (or slicing) motion of the stroke, so the leading edge switches
sides of the paddle blade during the midway part of the stroke. I always
try to keep the leading edge closer to the bow of the boat than the
trailing edge, because this produces lift in the forward direction.

During the cruising stroke, with my arms tucked in close to the body, I
switch the feather of my paddle halfway through, to maintain a positive
angle of attack, It is harder to maintain a proper angle of attack during
the first half of the stroke however, so I often very quickly slice the
paddle downward so that I apply very little power during a negative angle
of attack. Then I use the upward motion of the paddle to apply most of the
torso rotation power. The wing stroke is essentially similar to the latter
scenario. 

I think if you concentrate on maintaining the proper angle of attack
during all phases of the stroke, you will figure out the proper paddle
motion on your own. Let me know how it goes. Just remember that the
slicing motion is just an additional velocity component to normal modern
paddling technique. My paddling uses normal tehnique as a basis,
and only adds to it, but does not change its essence.

Cheers,
Kevin

/--------------------------------------------\ /---------------------------\
|Something there is that doesn't love a wall  |       Kevin Whilden        |
|That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it  | kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu  |
|And spills the upper boulders in the sun     | Dept. of Geologic Science  |
|And makes gaps that even two can pass abreast| University of Washington   |
|			-- Robert Frost	      |(206)543-1975(w) 632-5140(h)|
\--------------------------------------------/ \---------------------------/



On Fri, 24 Jul 1998, gordon terry asselstine wrote:

> Kevin
> I am the deleted one, or is that delighted one. Thanks for the practical
> applications with the Greenland paddle. What I was asking for, aware that a
> novel is not in the works, was as much detail as you could spare the time
> for. Such as, your paddle dimensions, blade shape - if it is anything out
> of the usual range. With the cruising stroke is the leading edge angled
> toward or away from the boat, and what is the path through the water. The
> wing technique is clear but for the attack angle - away from the boat? Tip
> speed, if I get you right, the upper hand pulling down at the end of the
> stroke is important.
> 
> Thanks again
> 
> Terry
> 
> 
> 

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Received on Sun Jul 26 1998 - 23:51:37 PDT

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