Re: [Paddlewise] Greenland blade angle (was video request)

I will look at it again tonight but I recall Maligiaq tilting the blade
on entry into the water so that its top edge is slanted forward.  Most
paddlers either plant the blade vertically.  Or, if they are in choppy
conditions and looking for a bit of support, the top edge of the blade
is tilted toward the stern giving somewhat of a semi-braced stroke. 
Maligiaq definitely says he has the blade so that the top edge is tilted
bow-ward.  When I heard this and watched him paddling when he was in the
Big Apple, I tried that with a European blade and it felt decidedly
insecure.  But perhaps this blade angle lends itself better for a
Greenland paddle.

The dynamics of the Greenland blade continue to mystify me, as I bet it
mystifies everybody even the most astute student of it such as John
Heath and Greg Stamer.  Its broad aspect seems to make it dive less than
the sharp edged and thin European blade, which makes blade angle less
critical in rolling.  That is why it seems so easy to learn rolling with
a Greenland blade, i.e. the less critical blade angle means one less
thing to be worried about when learning and instead lets you concentrate
on the feel of the body in the rolling movement.

ralph diaz 

Chuck Holst wrote:
> 
> >>
> The new Maligiaq video that is available from John Heath is better done
> than the previous one, which was shot at the Paddler's Retreat.  This
> has better footage including underwater shots of the rolling as well as
> good explanations by Maligiaq of his paddle stroke and other manuevers.
> I recall reading in Anorak last year about people being mystified by the
> angle of Maligiaq's blade in the forward stroke.  This aspect is well
> shown and explained.  Even while he is being quite serious in his
> presentation, some of Maligiaq's mischieveness peeks through.
> 
> ralph diaz
> >>
> 
> I am still mystified. Greg Stamer described a forward tilt to Maligiaq's
> paddle as it entered the water, yet I am sure Maligiaq says on the video
> that the paddle should enter vertically, though it seems to me that it does
> indeed have a slight forward tilt.
> 
> Comment, Greg?
> 
> Chuck Holst
> 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
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