I've decided that my good old paddle , a sawyer sea feather, has seen it's better days and needs to be retired to the honorable position of "spare paddle". I am looking at a couple Swift paddles, the Mid Swift and the Wind Swift. I have tried out the Wind Swift (and liked it) but not the Mid Swift. I was wondering if any one had an opinion about these two models.(not that paddlewisers" are ever opinionated) Also what "rule of thumb" do others use to determine the length of the paddle. I am 5' 8" and a 240cm length "feels" right. Bob Sitka *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> > I am looking at a couple Swift paddles, the Mid Swift and the Wind Swift. I >have tried out the Wind Swift (and liked it) but not the Mid Swift. I was >wondering if any one had an opinion about these two models I have had a 230 graphite Windswift for a number of years. I used to think it was great. Now I use a 230 AT Xception bent shaft paddle. I just did a 2 hour paddle with my Windswift for old times sake. I wonder that I ever thought it was any good. Jerry *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bob wrote: <<...Also what "rule of thumb" do others use to determine the length of the paddle. I am 5' 8" and a 240cm length "feels" right.>> "Feels right" could be all you need to know. However, there was a discussion on Paddlewise some time ago about paddle length and some interesting observations were made. Us older guys seemed to be leaning towards shorter paddles. The main reason: they don't put as much stress on the shoulders. Another reason: you get more of an aerobic workout. Shorter paddles would make vertical strokes easier, but if it's too short, you might not be able to do a lower angle stroke. Blade shape is important too. Touring blades offer less resistance in the water. Wing paddles, of course, would be their opposite. I'm 6' 5" tall with very long arms and I paddle with paddles from 220 cm down to 206 cm. I actually developed a chronic neck pain using a much longer paddle... you know, the length I was 'supposed' to be using. Switching paddles was instrumental in alleviating my neck problems. Having a buddy visit frequently from NYC who is a professional masseur also contributed to the healing process. I would recommend going shorter over longer, especially if you've ever tried Geritol. :-) Cheers, Dave Dave Williams dave_at_paddleasia.com http://paddleasia.com Phuket, Thailand "The hard and stiff will be broken, the soft and supple will prevail" Lao Tzu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jerry, Thanks for the web site on the AT Xception. Looks like an innovative paddle but $449. is out of my price range. With fresh snow on the mountains my fuel bills will soon begin to take priority over my "wish list". Bob Sitka -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Foodman <klagjf_at_worldnet.att.net> To: Rev. Bob Carter <revkayak_at_ptialaska.net>; paddle wise <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Friday, September 24, 1999 7:51 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] it's new paddle time! >> >> I am looking at a couple Swift paddles, the Mid Swift and the Wind Swift. >I >>have tried out the Wind Swift (and liked it) but not the Mid Swift. I was >>wondering if any one had an opinion about these two models > >I have had a 230 graphite Windswift for a number of years. I used to think >it was great. Now I use a 230 AT Xception bent shaft paddle. I just did a >2 hour paddle with my Windswift for old times sake. I wonder that I ever >thought it was any good. > >Jerry > >*************************************************************************** >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/ ***************************************************************************
>> Jerry, Thanks for the web site on the AT Xception. Looks like an innovative paddle but $449. is out of my price range. With fresh snow on the mountains my fuel bills will soon begin to take priority over my "wish list". Bob Sitka >> You can make a Greenland paddle for under $20 and then burn the shavings in your wood stove or fireplace. Kills two birds with one stone. ;-) Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 9/27/99 10:58:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, CHUCK_at_multitech.com writes: << You can make a Greenland paddle for under $20 and then burn the shavings in your wood stove or fireplace. Kills two birds with one stone. ;-) >> As someone pointed out: paddling with a Greenland paddle is like using a toothpick!! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 27 Sep 1999 Sandykayak_at_aol.com wrote: > CHUCK_at_multitech.com writes: > > << You can make a Greenland paddle for under $20 and then burn the shavings > in your wood stove or fireplace. Kills two birds with one stone. ;-) >> > > As someone pointed out: paddling with a Greenland paddle is like using a > toothpick!! I know I refer to my Greenland paddle as "The Toothpick". That doesn't mean I don't like using it. It's my first choice when practicing skills and paddling casually. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> As someone pointed out: paddling with a Greenland paddle is like using a toothpick!! >> I put my Greenland paddle in a different place than I put a toothpick! Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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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