[Paddlewise] Greenland vs. wide blades (was feathered vs unfeathered)

Chuck,

Now Chuck,  I know you like your greenland paddle.  I enjoy mine as well.

But its going a bit far to suggest that the greenland paddle is always the
paddle of choice.  I don't know anyone who uses a greenland paddle when
repeated and rapid acceleration is required.  I'm not sure that's the right
phrase.  What I'm driving at is when you are in white water or heavy surf,
you need to make very rapid direction and speed changes.  There's no doubt
that the "euro-paddle" with wide blades is better in such settings. 

I know a greenland bigot may disagree with me, but ask yourself the
following.

Have you ever seen a kayak surfer use a greenland paddlle?  I know a
greenland paddle would be fine for a launch and landing across the surf zone
--- but if you are going out for a day of serious surfing, wouldn't you
rather have a wide-blade Euro-paddle?  I know I would and I use both kinds
of paddles (and wing paddles too).   I don't know many greenland paddlers,
but the ones I've paddled with switch to wide blade paddles in white water
and in the surf zone.

Greenland paddles are great, but lets not start "over-selling" them.  There
really are situations where wide blade paddles are better.

--Tim

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	CHUCK_at_multitech.com [SMTP:CHUCK_at_multitech.com]
> Sent:	Wednesday, August 11, 1999 10:45 AM
> To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	Re: [Paddlewise] Feathered v Unfeathere
> 
> >>
> Maybe some of the converts to Greenland paddles are really refugees from
> feathered paddles. I know I've been happy to paddle along with my 2x4
> while
> others "discuss" the configuration of their Euro paddles. When conditions
> mandate a wider blade it is the wind that is making that demand and that
> means
> I suffer the elbow pain of having used the feathered paddle. I haven't
> found a
> satisfactory alternative yet.
> 
> Joan
> >>
> 
> FWIW, I was paddling unfeathered (but not nude) before I switched to a
> Greenland paddle. I don't understand what you mean by "when conditions
> mandate a wider blade." Greenlanders seem to have managed okay in high
> winds without wide blades. Personally, I find the narrow blades of a
> Greenland paddle an advantage in high winds, since they are affected
> less by wind than wide blades. Also note that you can increase the
> thrust of a Greenland paddle by switching to a high stroke, a sliding
> stroke, or a faster cadence.
> 
> Chuck Holst
> 
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