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

I use a Greenland paddle about 90% of the time and find that, like Maligiaq, I tilt the top edge forward when paddling forward. This seems to give a bit more grip and less flutter in the water.  The other thing is if the paddle moves aft and becomes a stern draw the blade angle naturally goes to vertical and provides a very strong stern draw. It does not work so well with a typical *Euro* paddle.  BTW, I hate that term. Anyone got any ideas for a better term?

When we are teaching the roll we try and de-emphasize blade angle. If a beginner is not thinking *too much* about blade angle they naturally find the right angle by self discovery. Contrary to popular belief the best blade angle is a neutral or slightly diving angle. This sheds off resistance to outward sweep *and* provides the most support as the paddle gets out to 90º.  Most people try and achieve a high climbing angle and we have found in video review of *expert* rollers the angle most popular is neutral or slight diving. Just my .02 centavos worth.

Steve Scherrer
Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe
250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr
Portland, OR  97217

Phone: 503.285.0464
Fax: 503.285.0106
Web site: http://www.aldercreek.com
Email: acks_at_teleport.com


______________________________________________
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ralph diaz" <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
To: "Chuck Holst" <CHUCK_at_multitech.com>
Cc: <PADDLEWISE_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 5:15 PM
Subject: 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 
> 

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