I use a very light carbon paddle a lot of the time and it is my opinion that if you are just paddling along, the lighter the paddle the easier it is to paddle. My paddle weighs one and one half pounds and It is much less tiring to use than my old paddle. There is a place for heavier paddles. If you want a strong paddle to beat on rocks with for instance. In surf you need a paddle that will hold up to beating yourself on the head. In strong winds a paddle with some weight might be easier to hang on to, though I am not positive about this, the shape of the paddle blades will have more effect on handling in wind. Someone with a great deal of paddling experience recently told me that they routinely switch back and forth between feathered and unfeathered paddles and that this gives them no trouble. I was excited to hear this because I learned to paddle strictly with unfeathered paddles due to worry about wrist injury (wrist injury would put me out of business). Others have told me that I don't need to worry about wrist injury, and now I wonder if I should go to the trouble of re-training myself. I also intend to take up greenland style paddling, but will continue to use euro-paddles with my euro boat, so I'll have to switch styles when I switch boats if I start using feathered euro paddles. Yet other people have advised me to pick one style (feathered or unfeathered) and stick to it so that my braces will not be compromised. I DO NOT WANT TO START A FEATHERED/UNFEATHERED DEBATE. I have heard all this before; I would like to hear from anyone who is able to switch regularly from feathered to unfeathered paddles. It may be that the key to the one example I know of a person switching techniques at the drop of a hat is in switching from a greenland paddle to a euro paddle; perhaps the different feel of the greenland paddle and paddling style provides the necessary physical cues to remind the body to use the correct bracing motions. Does anyone think I can use both techniques? Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have been known to use both techniques (feathered/unfeathered) but I only paddle feathered in a severe headwind. When switching, I probably take 10 or 15 baby strokes (no real power in them) to adjust to shaft rotation, blade placement, etc. Having said that, how well would I handle a sudden gust of wind that would require bracing? Since I never practice bracing with a feathered paddle, I think the probable outcome is obvious (the turtle maneuver). I have practiced rolling feathered, but have not done it this year so, even a feathered roll would be iffy. It is just now occurring to me how susceptible I am when I switch (albeit rarely). Hmmm, if I weren't stuck on a conference call, this would be a great excuse to go home early. Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ > ---------- > From: Whitesavage & Lyle[SMTP:nickjean_at_speakeasy.org] > > I would > like to hear from anyone who is able to switch regularly from feathered > to unfeathered paddles. It may be that the key to the one example I > know of a person switching techniques at the drop of a hat is in > switching from a greenland paddle to a euro paddle; perhaps the > different feel of the greenland paddle and paddling style provides the > necessary physical cues to remind the body to use the correct bracing > motions. > > Does anyone think I can use both techniques? > > Nick Lyle > > ************************************************************************** > * > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************** > * > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 20 Sep 1999, Whitesavage & Lyle wrote: > Someone with a great deal of paddling experience recently told me that > they routinely switch back and forth between feathered and unfeathered > paddles and that this gives them no trouble. I also switch regularly - wing, carbon euro paddle, greenland, and bow (http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jkolsen/html/paddle.html I'll put up a better picture tonight) Plus the wing is a 70 degree offset the carbon euro paddle a 60 degree offset. My spare paddle is a werner comano with either 90 or no feather. > I was excited to hear this > because I learned to paddle strictly with unfeathered paddles due to > worry about wrist injury (wrist injury would put me out of business). The bow was designed by a friend with wrist problems. Another friend, with elbow problems, swears by the bow. Friend B has never met the guy who designed/built the bow. > Others have told me that I don't need to worry about wrist injury, and > now I wonder if I should go to the trouble of re-training myself. I > also intend to take up greenland style paddling, but will continue to > use euro-paddles with my euro boat, so I'll have to switch styles when I > switch boats if I start using feathered euro paddles. I paddle with the wing on my surf ski, the carbon euro paddle when I race a touring kayak, the greenland when I paddle with friends (so I don't get too far ahead, my technique is not up to Greg Stamer's) and the bow for something different and offseason paddling. I also prefer to practice rolls and braces with the greenland. > Does anyone think I can use both techniques? Yup. But why stop at 2 ;-) kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I like to switch between unfeathered/feathered regularly. Just for fun, it keeps your skills up and makes you think a bit more. I suppose nothing seems to be permanent to me so I never know what my next ride will be with. I choose not to be picky. As far as the immediate skill change goes, have you ever gotten in an automatic car after driving a stick and gone for the "imaginary" clutch? You only do it once right? Well, the same will be true when you brace improperly with the new paddle! Unfortunately, I dont have a magic switch-over technique. Thanks for the new topic this seems so much more fun than the "orientation" debate. *************************************************************************** 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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