[Paddlewise] Single blade paddle

From: Whitesavage & Lyle <nickjean_at_speakeasy.org>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 07:26:08 -0700
"Another plus side of rudders is that you can paddle with a broken
paddle
much, much easier.  It's not difficult to paddle on one side for a long
time
while using the rudder to stay on course (until you can get to a place
where
the seas are calm enough to retrieve your spare paddle.)"

Just to be annoying I'd like to point out that many of the kayaking
cultures of Alaska never used double bladed paddles, but always paddled
kayaks with a single bladed paddle.  They never used rudders.  Of
course, they didn't have to use a broken paddle, and they usually
paddled these kayaks in a kneeling position.

In fact, the vast majority of traditional paddle craft around the world
are propelled by single bladed paddles, yet rudders can only be found on
modern american and European boats.  This doesn't prove anything, it is
just an observation.

Nick Lyle

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Received on Mon Sep 13 1999 - 07:16:04 PDT

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