My .02: Its a lot like the gearing on a road bike. I wouldn't want to be stuck in high gear all the time. I own a 240 cm Werner Little Dipper (new style) but have the opportunity to use just about any Werner paddle when I teach. (I also own a 197cm Werner Quest for WW/vertical stroke). I find the smaller blade area and long shaft (for a narrow single) provide excellent support, a comfortable cadence for touring, and the ability to really crank if I need it. The smaller blade area also reduces the risk of injury to me if (when) I forget to stretch (the reduced grip/drag lets it slip better if it stalls). I agree that a large blade gives one a better grip (more drag) on the water but edging the boat over on its side lets me pivot for hard turns (or carve for more gentle ones). When I really want to play in the surf, I use my WW boat with its surfing hull. I see the type of kayak as more limiting than the blade area. Regarding your two piece locking mechanism: I regularly rinse and lube the joint and the "stainless" steel with some CRC product that's not supposed to harm plastic. This not only limits rust but reduces wear on the joint. Eric -----Original Message----- From: E. Sullivan [mailto:sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 5:12 PM To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PADDLE BLADE SIZE Just got back from a week of paddling (many many miles) working on my technique to remediate the aforementioned tendonitis (thanks to all who wrote advice) and think I have it wired (pain free!). The first half of the trip I used an old two-piece Werner paddle with standard sized blades (not sure of the area) because I could use it unfeathered. When the wind picked up I'd feather it. After I was pretty sure I was paddling more ergonomically (and after the dang locking mechanism in the Werner blew out at a v. inopportune time) I switched to my Lighting with a more 'aggressive' blade. I guess it's more like a racing paddle. Question is: why use a little blade? When I wanted to go easy I just did. But when I wanted to go fast or turn hard to avoid a rock or broaching on a wave I felt like I could get much more of a response from the big blade. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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