"I normally (+90%) don't use a rudder but there are times when its an energy saver...You're right Nick, we can use single paddles w/o rudders, but it can be a whole lot easier with a rudder -- especially when one is not used to paddling with a canoe blade (let alone half of an asymmetrical kayak paddle). Eric" Wow, that was a fast response. Sometimes I love the internet. I can imagine that it would be hard to put a lot of strength into single blade technique while sitting down. Has anyone out there tried any of the traditional single-blade kayaks that were designed to be paddled from a kneeling position? I am just curious. Although I am an experienced single blade canoe paddler I even use a double paddle in my canoe at times! Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 13 Sep 1999, Whitesavage & Lyle wrote: > I can > imagine that it would be hard to put a lot of strength into single blade > technique while sitting down. Has anyone out there tried any of the > traditional single-blade kayaks that were designed to be paddled from a > kneeling position? I am just curious. I've used a couple. I've done a little single blade stern paddling in a skin/frame triple and some paddling in my baidarka with a single blade willow leaf paddle. The single blade paddle works fine, it's preferable in the triple since it didn't have a rudder. The paddle I used in my baidarka had about a 2 foot shaft and an equally long blade. I found it easier to do underwater recoveries since the blade was so long. My baidarka is fairly narrow (19" beam) and I had no trouble adapting to using the single blade. Keeping up with the others who kept using "regular" paddles wasn't a problem. I'm intrigued to try a couple of the traditional hand paddles that were used for sneaking up on fish or game. The ones I've seen pictures of, look a lot like a small breadboard with a leather loop through the handle. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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