In a message dated 8/11/99 8:17:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time, gstamer_at_magicnet.net writes: << Actually I often use my Greenland paddle with my Island wave ski for "serious surfing" and I know of a handful of others who do the same. I have also been playing with using hand-paddles in surf (after getting past the breakers) and after that even a Greenland blade feels like tremendous overkill. You will find paddlers using hand-paddles in whitewater as well. >> OK, I was really trying not to sucked into this one, but what can I say - I'm weak! Sure, you can use a Greenland paddle to surf with. You can also use hand paddles. In fact, I have been known to throw my paddle away on a wave just for yucks. I will often be seen surfing sit-on-tops standing up! So what? These are all stunts! I just popped in a tape of the Santa Cruz Surf Fest and guess what? I don't see one single person competing with either hand paddles, a Greenland paddle, or a non-feathered paddle. Hmmmmmmmmm, I wonder why that is? Believe me when I say that it's not a matter of tradition. I know a number of surfers who are experimenting with building their own boats because they all have an idea of what would make a better surf tool and they are trying to get an advantage over the other guys. For touring I like a non-feathered paddle, but I can use a feathered just as easily without any problem. I have never missed a reflexive brace with either type of paddle. However, for serious surfing there are some real advantages to using a feathered sport paddle. I cannot think of any advantage to a non-feathered sport paddle, or a Greenland paddle in the surf, other then because that's what you've got and your used to it. Of course using that logic I suppose you will next be telling me that a 17 foot sea kayak is superior in the surf to a 10 foot surf boat. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Aug 12 1999 - 04:45:31 PDT
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