[Paddlewise] Feathered and unfeathered paddles

More fuel for the fire:  I've been wondering as the debate goes on why I got
started in whitewater kayaking with feathered blades and have never switched.
One good reason for feathered is that I've competed in slalom racing, and when
the power blade is pulling one's boat through the water and through a gate,
that feathered blade on top gives you another several inches clearance through
the gate in a fully vertical position.





Being of the old school, I also don't rotate the paddle in my control hand -
for sure want to have my orientation unchanged as the need for braces and
rolls arises.  So, when I had a wrist injury and was going on a week long trip
in Alaska, I paddled unfeathered.  Scary at first and any time I needed a
brace, which thankfully wasn't often, but it worked fine.  And back to my
style of nonrotating control hand with feathered blades after I got back.





Go with the flow - use what is right for the situation and comfortable for the
paddler.





Natalie








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