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From: <dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 19:39:08 -0400
I have some pictures posted of Maligiaq Padilla at the Charleston Symposium
http://www.jacksonville.net/~dldecker/pm.htm

Dana
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From: Robert Woodard <woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 21:04:28 -0400
> I have some pictures posted of Maligiaq Padilla at the Charleston
> Symposium
> http://www.jacksonville.net/~dldecker/pm.htm

Dana, is the storm paddle not as wide as the regular (if there is such a
thing as regular) Greenland paddle? My impression has been that the storm
paddle was the same width just a shorter loom, but your pictures make me
think they might be more narrow as well.

Woody


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From: Mattson, Timothy G <timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 07:36:11 -0700
I was facinated by the pictures of Maligiaq's paddling.  I have a couple
observations.

1. The paddle that he was using looked just like my comercial paddle (I
bought mine from Feathercraft).  I didin't see any "diamond shape extending
out towards the tip.  I guess he doesn't use a true greenland style paddle.

2. There was no shoulder rotation visible in the pictures. He doesn't appear
to be using his torso to add power to the stroke.  

3. The blade was well behind his hip.  As described in a paddlewise post
last year, he appears to extend his stroke well beyond the hip -- counter to
the advise we give paddling students in the U.S.

4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  

I wish I could see him in action.  Please, if any of you did get to see him
paddle, could you provide full reports to the list?  

--Tim

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net [SMTP:dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net]
> Sent:	Wednesday, April 21, 1999 4:39 PM
> To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	[Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
> 
> I have some pictures posted of Maligiaq Padilla at the Charleston
> Symposium
> http://www.jacksonville.net/~dldecker/pm.htm
> 
> Dana
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From: R. Walker <rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 12:16:42 -0500
> 2. There was no shoulder rotation visible in the pictures. He doesn't
> appear to be using his torso to add power to the stroke.  
> 
> 3. The blade was well behind his hip.  As described in a paddlewise post
> last year, he appears to extend his stroke well beyond the hip -- counter
> to the advise we give paddling students in the U.S.

Maligiaq is still under 20 if I recall.  I remember being under 20.  I 
could do virtually anything to my body and it wouldn't complain.  
When he hits 30, he'll get a taste of tendonitis and back pain, then 
he'll probably adjust his technique to take the stress off the 
vulnerable bits.

That said, I like to apply power along the stroke for almost a full 
foot behind my hips; but I do rotate my upper body to allow my 
back and shoulders to do some of the work.

> 4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  

I think the greenland axiom is that if you come out of your boat, 
you are dead.  Therefore, wearing a pfd or whistle makes no sense. 
And the knife belongs attached to the deck of the boat.  Of course, 
considering the cockpit design of those greenland boats, and the 
accompanying wetsuit-like top that he wore which attaches directly 
to the boat; I don't think accidently coming out of the boat is a 
serious problem.  Not like my edisto where you have to 
concentrate real hard to avoid falling out when upside down.


Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html
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From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 13:40:59 -0700
> > 4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!
> 
> I think the greenland axiom is that if you come out of your boat,
> you are dead.

Many years ago, none of the covers of Sea Kayaker ever had the pictured
paddlers sporting PFDs.  The same void was seen in just about all of the
ads in the publication.  I guess no one want to depict sea kayaking as
being risky.

Well someone complained vehemently in the letters to the editor and, lo
and behold, on the cover of the Sea Kayaker in which the complaint
appeared, depicted was a Greenland paddler, sans PFD of course; seemed
to me at the time a way of tweeking the nose of the guy who was
complaining.  Of course, even Sea Kayaker changed with the times and so
have just about all of the ads, i.e. everyone has a PFD on.

Others have changed too.  I remember the first time I saw Derek
Hutchinson at a symposium beach he was ferverishly backpaddling away
from a staff person who was wading out to him with a PFD to put on.  The
look on Derek's face at the time was that of Dracula when confronted by
a crucifix.

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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From: Chris & Ellen Kohut <chriskayak_at_earthlink.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 21:09:52 -0400
Dracula evidently came around to a different opinion about crucifixes.

	In the Captiva Island Symposium last year I overheard him (as if 
someone stone deaf couldn't 'overhear' Derek when he feels he has a
point to make),  I ...(ahem), 'overheard' Derek politely rebuke none
other  than the likes of Greg Barton on the subject of PfD use.

	His illustration supporting PFD use involved the head of the BCU 
hyperventilating and evidently blacking out and drowning *in front* of
the offices of the BCU--he wasn't wearing a PFD....."Miss
Munneypenny....take a memo...."

	Now I have been informed that the nature of these Olympic trials is
such that the waterway is sometimes man made, and therefore shallow,
there is plenty of help available (oh, say..... 250,000 on hand, for
something other than a dress rehearsal), should something untoward
occur, and  heat build up is a major concern, and would add on to  those
precious 1/1000's of a second that they get so worked up over....  

	All this being said, that still is a very funny Derek-ism.

	In fact, I think that a compilation of Derek-isms would make very
interesting reading:  I love that "FRUIT??!!!- Climbed to the top of the
food chain comment- comment.

	One thing before I go, a man and his lovely wife were at a reception at
one of these evening get-together-adult-beverage-get-to-know-one-another
things at a Symposium, a while back, and engaged Derek in conversation.  

	"I wasn't always a paddler, you know."

	She:  "Really, what did you do before this?"  

	He:  " I taught."

	She:  "Really.....and what did you teach?"

	He:    " IDIOTS!!!"
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From: Mark White <qajaq_at_onr.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 10:17:43 -0500
At 07:36 AM 4/22/99 -0700, Mattson, Timothy G wrote:
>
>I was facinated by the pictures of Maligiaq's paddling.  I have a couple
>observations.
>
>1. The paddle that he was using looked just like my comercial paddle (I
>bought mine from Feathercraft).  I didin't see any "diamond shape extending
>out towards the tip.  I guess he doesn't use a true greenland style paddle.

The shape is there, somewhat.  I don't think that there is a "true
greendland paddle."  There are some typical characteristics but the
rest is what works well for the particular paddler.

>2. There was no shoulder rotation visible in the pictures. He doesn't appear
>to be using his torso to add power to the stroke.  
>
>3. The blade was well behind his hip.  As described in a paddlewise post
>last year, he appears to extend his stroke well beyond the hip -- counter to
>the advise we give paddling students in the U.S.

Read Greg Stamer's article on Maligiaq at

http://www.jacksonville.net/~dldecker/fskaGreenland.htm

for a thorough discussion of his paddline technique

>
>4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  

No he doesn't. Even when whitewater kayaking last 
fall he didn't.

>
>I wish I could see him in action.  Please, if any of you did get to see him
>paddle, could you provide full reports to the list?  
>
>--Tim
>

For those of you near Seattle  Maligiaq will be at REI on Friday
night for a presentation (don't know if it will include an on
the water demo or not...)

Saturday he will be at the skin boats festival at Bowman Bay.

Sunday he will be giving a demonstration on Lake Washington
(Unfortunately I don't know exactly where... but I can try
to find out if there is interest....)

For some other related pictures of Maligiaq performing the
rope gymnastics try  http://www.onr.com/user/qajaq/kayak.htm

Gotta run....

  Mark



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From: <dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 17:21:38 -0400
At 07:36 AM 4/22/99 -0700, Mattson, Timothy G wrote:
>
>I was facinated by the pictures of Maligiaq's paddling.  I have a couple
>observations.
>
>1. The paddle that he was using looked just like my comercial paddle (I
>bought mine from Feathercraft).  I didin't see any "diamond shape extending
>out towards the tip.  I guess he doesn't use a true greenland style paddle.
>

in greenland everything he does or uses is greenland style.


>2. There was no shoulder rotation visible in the pictures. He doesn't appear
>to be using his torso to add power to the stroke.  
>

With his lose fitting cag it was hard to tell if there was any or not


>3. The blade was well behind his hip.  As described in a paddlewise post
>last year, he appears to extend his stroke well beyond the hip -- counter to
>the advise we give paddling students in the U.S.
>

its all the dang brits fault they told us how to paddle and got it wrong again


>4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  
>

yup

>I wish I could see him in action.  Please, if any of you did get to see him
>paddle, could you provide full reports to the list?  
>
>--Tim
>

 Sense he is the national Greenlander kayak Champ I guess what he does is
right and we are wrong. We probably use a bastardization greenland stroke
unlike his real live greenland stroke. He was so good and no offense to any
other greenland style paddlers,  and so much like a ballerina paddling and
rolling he makes us look like rank amateurs. His motion was fluid and all
his rolls were done easily and with style and looked like it was just a
walk in the park for him. It was kinda embarassing to see some one so young
and good and know that you will never be a tenth as good as he no matter
how hard you try. If you can't tell I was impressed.

Dana
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From: Colin Calder <c.j.calder_at_abdn.ac.uk>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 09:34:22 +0100
Thanks for the shots of Maligiaq Dana.

Frankly though, I'm not surprised he is quite useful in a kayak with a
name like that ..... Malgiaq PADILLA! shouldn't that be spelt PADDLER ?
;-)


Cheers

Colin Calder
57º19'N  2º10'W

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From: <KayakherSC_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 19:54:48 EDT
In a message dated 4/21/99 8:29:27 PM EDT, dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net writes:

<< I have some pictures posted of Maligiaq Padilla at the Charleston Symposium
 http://www.jacksonville.net/~dldecker/pm.htm >>

Great shots, Dana.  Did you get any of his rope gymnastics on Sunday morning? 
  Mine were some of my favorite from the entire weekend.  He pulled himself 
up over a horizontally suspended rope using only the middle finger of each 
hand, and with a bruised rib cage at that.  The kid is awesome, with 
incredible skills and a humble personality to boot.  I am turned on to 
traditional Greenlander kayaking for the first time.  BTW, where were you 
during our PaddleWise rendezvous?  Your presence would have numbered us at 
five.  :)  Sandy
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From: Patrick Maun <pmaun_at_bitstream.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla and the New York Times
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 09:57:22 -0500
This past Sunday, the New York Times ran and article on the Skin Boat 
gathering in Deception Pass.It also featured a picture of Maligiaq 
Padilla. It might be online somewhere as well. It was in the main 
section.

-Patrick
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From: <BijiliE_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla and the New York Times
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 12:03:04 EDT
I searched the New York Times archives and found this entry:

May 2, 1999, Sunday 
Boat Romantics Gather With Handmade Best 
In the upper left-hand corner of the country, up where Puget Sound is 
littered with low, rocky islands, about 65 handbuilt boats lined the beach of 
a quiet, fog-filled bay last weekend. There was a three-person touring craft 
inspired by Aleutian fur- ...

National Desk 
911 words 
By TINA KELLEY 

Looks like you have to Pay ($) if you wish to read the entire article.

BijiliE
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From: Patrick Maun <pmaun_at_bitstream.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla and the New York Times
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 12:42:14 -0500
>
>Looks like you have to Pay ($) if you wish to read the entire article.

Actually, you just need to register. The URL is:

http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+site+36 
674+0+wAAA+Skin%7EBoat

-Patrick
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From: <KayakherSC_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 20:32:01 EDT
In a message dated 4/22/99 10:58:27 AM EDT, timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com 
writes:

<< 4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  
 I wish I could see him in action.  Please, if any of you did get to see him
 paddle, could you provide full reports to the list? >>

Tim,  I can't comment on your other observations regarding Maligiaq's paddle 
or paddle strokes.  I can tell you, however, that there was some dissension 
about his lack of PFD.  While the symposium site required that he have one 
on, his representation of traditional Greenland paddling does not.  According 
to John Heath, their boats are their PFD's.  Their skills and individualized 
boat fit are developed to keep themselves in their boats at all costs.  John 
told me that if Maligiaq were wearing a PFD upon capsize, that he'd remove it 
underwater and use it to roll.  They do not necessarily want to be buoyant 
upon capsize, because it may interfere with their role in severe conditions.  
Does this make sense?  The park therefore required Maligiaq to wear a PFD 
while he was practicing, but not while he was doing his demo.  If you saw 
what this kid is all about, you'd agree that he looked silly in a PFD.  John 
felt so strongly about preserving Maligiaq's tradition that he threatened to 
disallow him to participate if a PFD was forced on him.  John is a great guy, 
not inclined to rock the boat, so to speak, but in this case he asserted 
himself based on his vast knowledge of traditional Greenland kayaking.  All I 
can say is, and I've said it again and again, the kid is awesome.  You need 
to see him in his skinny little boat to see the roots of our recreational 
sport.   Sandy and her longest Paddlewise posting to date  :)
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