Re: [Paddlewise] Unfeathered Paddle Preference

In a message dated 4/2/99 9:32:11 AM Eastern Standard Time, romeug_at_erols.com 
writes:

<< Gotta tell you Ray, I really enjoyed your 'exposé' on the rationale to
 different paddle applications.  Seems a really nice supplement to the
 article you wrote in the latest Anorak issue on making the Greenland
 paddle.  I have collected a few articles on paddle making off the net
 but found yours the most detailed.  
 In my research I have found a lot about the 'standard' (despite the
 different configurations)Greenland, but am also interested in the
 'storm' paddle.  Would you (or anybody) give some reference on this? >>

The 'Storm' paddle is a short (6 foot or shorter) paddle that was sometimes 
carried on deck as a spare in case the longer paddle was lost or broken.  The 
shaft is only one or two hand grips wide and was used with a sliding stroke.

This stroke is always used with a Storm paddle but is frequently employed 
with the regular paddle.  The hands are held toward the center of the loom.  
As the stroke begins on the left, the left hand remains on the loom and the 
right hand is allowed to slide out to the edge of the paddle.  The left hand 
pulls, the right hand pushes, the torso rotates to the left and the left foot 
pushes off the footpeg to transfer the energy to the hull.  At the end of the 
stroke, the paddle is swung to the other side as the right hand returns to 
meet the left at the loom and the motion is mirrored on the right side.  In 
actual practice the hands do not usually touch in the center and the blade is 
usually grasped a comfortable distance and not necessarily at the edge of the 
blade.  You have the normal amount of blade in the water but you never have a 
blade in the wind.

Using this stroke with the longer Greenland paddle gives you the duel 
advantage of a much longer lever with no blade in the wind although is takes 
a while to get used to using it.  You can gain a lot of additional power with 
this.  Depending on how well your kayak tracks, perhaps 2 or 3 strokes can be 
taken on one side before switching over.  In order for me to get used to it, 
I used it the whole distance on an around Manhattan trip one year.  By the 
end of that trip, I was comfortable with it.

Ray Killen
Katabasis L.L.C.
I'd rather be upside down in my kayak than sitting upright at my desk! 
http://members.aol.com/kayakillen/katabasis

ANorAK
For Sea Kayakers, By Sea Kayakers, About Sea Kayakers
http://members.aol.com/gokayak/anorak

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