In a message dated 4/23/99 11:01:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Tomckayak_at_aol.com writes: << I think an unfeathered paddle has an advantage in surf in that both blades can be flat in relation to the force of the water. A Flick of the wrist will align both blades. >> Wrong! Besides Matt's contention that feathered paddles are less likely to break in the surf (I hadn't heard that one before either), a feathered paddle has other advantages as well. In punching through a wave in a kayak you will receive extra bonus points for momentum. Using the paddle to "grab" the wave and pull yourself through will help to assure that you make it to the other side. With a feathered paddle this will then align your upper blade to cut through the water with a minimum of resistance while the lower blade helps maintain momentum. With a traditional paddle if you "flick your wrists" to turn the blades edge to the oncoming wave your paddle will be static and not helping your cause. And if you try to pull your boat through the water with a traditional paddle then the upper blade will provide greater resistance in the water which will increase your work and decrease your chances of success. There is a very good reason why virtually every surfer who uses a wave ski, a pure surfing tool, also uses a feathered paddle. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Apr 23 1999 - 17:19:07 PDT
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