[Paddlewise] Greenland Stroke Rate

Can anyone give me some guidelines on stroke rate vs speed for greenland 
paddling with day trip loads in the kayak.  I have heard that 60-70 
strokes/min is a good target, but what speed should that produce.  Also, do 
you count a left and right stroke as 1 or does each side count as a separate 
stroke in that 60-70 target range.  In timing strokes on Doug Van Doren's 
"Greendland Style Kayaking" video he appears to be doing 90-95 strokes/min 
(counting right side stroke as 1 and left side as 2, etc.) so even halving it 
does not get in the 60-70 range.  I do not know if you even can time 
accurately off a video or not.

I am currently paddling at about 3.5 knots for 6-12 Nmi trips (average of up 
and back to correct for wind and current). I am trying to figure out if I 
just have poor technique or am just not strong enough to maintain a higher 
stroke rate needed for the 4-4.5 knot rates of the other paddlers who 
consitantly leave me behind.  They paddle Euro style so I can not directly 
compare rates.   I can do 4-4.5 knots for a mile or two with a higher stroke 
rate, but it is really tiring. For reference I am paddling a fiberglass 
Wilderness Systems Arctic Hawk.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com 
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