At 12:21 AM 8/13/99 -0700, Matt Broze wrote: >Yes all good techniques, but if an error happens with an unfeathered paddle >there is a chance that there may be a lot more force behind it because with >the unfeathered paddle the breaker can grab both blades at once and drive >them in the same direction at the same time. Matt, This has been an interesting discussion, however I still regard this scenario as a non-issue. I am responding because I hear this scenario argued all the time by feathered blade advocates as THE reason to use a feathered paddle in the surf. This is a great topic to discuss around the campfire but in real life I don't find that it pans out. Consider that for a breaker to grab both blades of an unfeathered paddle at the same time requires that the large surface area of your torso is also presented to the wave. The wave will break on your torso and you will be pounded regardless of paddle type. A feathered blade will also be driven backward in this case but one blade will react markedly different than the other. One could argue that in a worse case scenario this could cause one arm to be jerked violently backward causing injury or dislocation. Of course this line of reasoning is pointless. You could dream up literally hundreds of scenarios that favor one paddle design over the other, especially if you throw in a large dose of paddler error and poor technique. Depending on the scenario the feather of your paddle may be a help or a hindrance. The original scenario will only happen if the paddler makes several major mistakes. An experienced paddler will time their passage through the surf zone to avoid breakers and will "spear the wave" or intentionally capsize if they miscalculate. The surf zone can be a very unforgiving environment. If you violate a cardinal rule such as letting a wave break on your torso or getting shoreward of your kayak if you exit, then you will pay the consequences. You cannot blame the equipment for gross failures in technique or judgment. Greg Stamer Orlando, Florida *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Aug 14 1999 - 13:59:04 PDT
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