[Paddlewise] (un)Feathered paddles in surf

I can see how an unfeathered paddle has a couple of disadvantages in the
surf zone compared to a highly feathered paddle. But the key thing is that
the paddler is comfortable using their own paddle whatever the feather
angle. Last Saturday at Deception Pass, I traded an unfeathered AT Sea
kayak paddle (borrowed from Rex R.) for an 80 degree feathered Epic. One
eddy turn, and I was ready to swap back because I could barely paddle. My
friend wasn't even comfortable doing an eddy turn. I thought this was
funny considering that both the AT and the Epic are fantastic paddles.

Back to surfing. I think Matt's point that lightweight paddles should not
be used in the surf is a valid point. This more than anything will
contribute to breakage. But given this, unfeathered paddles do have a
problem in two areas: 

1. When punching out through a dumping wave. I mean punching right through
a big dumper as it collapses over your head -- not a friendly place to be.
A feathered paddle can take a stroke right through the wave because the
blade in the air will pass right through the wave during the stroke. An
unfeathered paddle have the "air" blade reversed by the falling water,
ruining the stroke which might otherwise pull the kayak through, and
probably resulting in the paddle being thrown back into face or chest.

2. The double lever effect (for lack of a better name).  When upside down
in moving water, holding the paddle in the middle while the water acts on
both blades at once is what I am talking about. In other words, double the
force on the paddle shaft than in the feathered case. It is easy to see
why the unfeathered paddle would be more likely to break. George
Gronseth's fabled ender which Matt mentioned, where he fell forward on the
paddle shaft is a shining example of this effect. A feathered paddle would
have been much less likely to break as Matt suggests.

Of course, one distinct advantage of the unfeathered paddle mentioned to
me by George, is that once the swim does occur, and assuming an unbroken
shaft, the unfeathered paddle is a tremendous body surfing aid, whereas
the feathered paddle is quite a hindrance. The unfeathered paddle can be
used to support the body weight while skimming across the green water in
front of wave. I haven't tried this, but it does sound like fun.

Still, I think it is best to choose the feather angle according to the
style of sea kayaking that one prefers, and not according to the surfing.
Unfeathered paddles are easier on the wrists and more neutral in the wind,
whereas feathered paddles have industry momentum and have an advantage
paddling into the wind and a disadvantage paddling downwind on across the
wind.

Sorry for all the run-on sentences today. I must have had too much coffee
this morning. :)

Kevin

	 ___________________                                                            
	/   Kevin Whilden   \
       |Dept. of Geosciences ___
       |University of Washington \
       |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| 
        ________________________/                       

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