RE: [Paddlewise] Dogmatic Feathered Paddlers In Surf

I second Duane's comments about unfeathered paddles.  

I paddle regularly in the surf and on white water rivers with my unfeathered
paddle.  I may only paddle in class III rivers (I'll be in class IV later
this summer), but I've surfed in rough water  with big 12+ foot waves.  I've
paddled my sea kayak in the open ocean in 25 knot winds and much higher
gusts.  I've raced in a variety of conditions with my unfeathered wing
paddle (the only one I've ever seen).

At no point have I felt limited by my unfeathered paddle.  I regularly put
up with lectures from my paddling friends that eventually, I will find my
ability to deal with big nasty waves or high winds limited by my unfeathered
paddles.  OK, maybe so --  but I haven't seen it yet. 

I agree with the comment someone made earlier.  People use unfeathered
paddles 'cause thats the fassion and they look cool.  Then, after the fact,
they manufacture reasons why the choice is surpior.  

I think everyone has their unique style of paddling and there is no best
angle to feather your paddle.  Angle doesn't matter.  Its what you do with
the thing that matters.

--Tim  

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Strosaker_at_aol.com [SMTP:Strosaker_at_aol.com]
> Sent:	Monday, April 26, 1999 7:23 PM
> To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	[Paddlewise] Dogmatic Feathered Paddlers In Surf
> 
> Dogmatic Kayakers,
> 
> I've done a lot of launching and landing through surf with an unfeathered 
> paddle, and lately I've been surfing my sea kayak also.  Not once has my 
> unfeathered paddle caused me any problems.  Of course, anytime I have to 
> punch a wave, I do what we are supposed to, which is to tuck down tight on
> 
> the front deck with the paddle down on the deck and parallel to the kayak.
> I 
> also haven't had problems quickly digging in for the next forward stroke
> or 
> bracing after punching through.
> 
> On a recent paddle with six other kayakers, everyone but me decided to
> take a 
> taxi back rather than fight rough breaking seas and 20-30 knot headwinds
> nine 
> nautical miles to get back.  They were all experienced and paddling
> feathered 
> paddles while mine was unfeathered.  However, I have to admit that this
> event 
> was more a matter of skill, endurance and determination (my pod would add 
> stupidity) rather than equipment.  Regardless, it just goes to show that 
> unfeathered paddles work just fine, even in a headwind.  But let me add
> that 
> I use small blades.
> 
> I am not saying that everyone should use unfeathered paddles, because I 
> believe each person should do whatever works best for him or her.
> However, I 
> do believe that a lot of kayakers use a feathered paddle only because of 
> dogma.
> 
> Think for yourself and we will all be free!
> 
> Duane Strosaker
> Southern California
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