RE: [Paddlewise] Paddle Shafts

Bob,

>The written material on paddle shafts seems to indicate that a fg shaft will
>be kinder to joints but I have been unable to detect much difference in my 2
>glass and one graphite shaft. I have met a few racers who train with glass
>to "protect joints" then race with carbon.

Amount of graphite (percentage), its fiber orientation, shaft wall
thickness, shaft diameter, shaft length, and other factors determine the
differences in graphite vs fiberglass shaft.  

>There doesn't seem to be anything definitive. At the same time, water is a
>liquid, last time I looked and would probably have more give then either
>shaft material.

And it does.  Or can.  Water will give less on quick strokes than it will
on slow ones.  If you are a lazy paddler using long easy strokes, the shaft
probably won't make a difference, except that a graphite one might be
lighter to lift and hold up while paddling.  Sprint racers don't paddle in
a lazy style like that and notice the difference in shafts more because of
it.  Some people just don't seem to be bothered much no matter what they
use (I hate 'em! <Grin>). 

Hank Hays

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