Sea Kayakers, I started kayaking with a feathered paddle some years ago. The reason I used a feathered paddle then was because it seemed to be the norm for sea kayaking. Most of the books I read emphasized it, so I blindly followed. Then I made a greenland paddle, which of course isn't feathered, and I began using it. After using the greenland paddle for some time, I began alternating between using it and a standard paddle, depending on the type of kayak and conditions I was in. However, when I resumed using the standard paddle, I didn't usually feather it. I did feather it sometime to stay in practice, but I found an unfeathered paddle much more effective. First, the unfeathered paddle is more conductive to a correct stroke, meaning not using the arms by keeping them almost straight and twisting at the waist. Cocking the wrist with the feathered paddle seemed to cause me to bend and use my arms more. Also, that cocked wrist was a weak point, which didn't allow me to paddle as hard. As a result, my stroke is much stronger with an unfeathered paddle. Second, using a unfeathered paddle is more ergonomically correct. Cocking the wrist with a feathered paddle begs for a repetitive strain injury. As for the winds, the unfeathered paddle is best for wind from three directions, from behind and both sides, while the feathered paddle is best from only one direction, from the front. With an unfeathered paddle, wind from behind helps push you. With wind form the sides, the unfeathered blade is in a position that prevents the wind from catching it, whereas a feathered blade catches wind from the sides and can cause you to capsize. Of course, a feathered paddles has less wind resistance in a head wind. However, I have found that my stronger unfeathered stroke more than makes up for the added resistance. I should note here that I use paddles with smaller blades. Blade size is a whole different issue for me to discuss later. I also think rolling with an unfeathered paddle is easier, because you have a better idea about the position of both blades. I consider myself a good paddler. I have good speed and endurance, a dependable roll on both sides, instinctive bracing skills, and surfing skills, all of which I do great with an unfeathered paddle. I think it is shame that unfeathered paddling is frowned upon and that so much emphasis is put on feathered paddling. I'd like to see instructors and authors let the paddlers decide for themselves. Since unfeathered paddling is easier to learn, it should also probably be the type of paddling taught first. What do you think about the advantages and disadvantages of feathered and unfeathered paddles? Duane Strosaker Southern California *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Apr 01 1999 - 21:06:24 PST
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