[Paddlewise] Greenland Paddles again

From: Derek Wakeling <depawake_at_ihug.co.nz>
To: Paddlewise <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Greenland Paddles
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2000 8:19 PM

Hi Rob

This is a revised Email the first went before I had chance to correct the
mistakes.

Just got around to rereading a print of your post of the 15th April.
Quote " Bottom line is I want a longer paddle, to get the stroke rate down
and a larger blade area for easier bracing"

I am nor sure about the larger blade area because of the extra wind
resistance of the unfeathered blade in the air. Of course the forward tilt
of the top edge of the blade with the Greenland paddling style helps.
All that I have read about Greenland paddles is indicates the Inuit's used
very
narrow blades.  I saw a photo taken Paul Caffyn during his Greenland trip of
and paddle beside a kayak in a the loft of what I think was a derelict
dwelling.  I can only guess the relative dimensions but it looked very long
and narrow.
Also the second two paddles I made for Pam and myself are the same length as
the fist ones, 2.43m but 12mm narrower at 75mm for Pam's  and 81mm for mine
and they give more pull.
Although the blade shape is slightly different, parallel for the first 250mm
from the tip of the blades in the new ones compared to a constant taper from
tip to loom for the older ones, the blade area is less for the new ones.But
despite this they are more efficient with noticeably more grip on the water.
 They are also stiffer (better quality slower grown red cedar) and better
airfoil section.
When at cruising speed, about 7kms/hr in our double, the cadence is just
over
60/min. I stress that Pam and I are no longer young but we usually manage to
more than keep up with all but the best of the younger paddlers who are in
singles. Its not as good as it sounds because other things being equal a
double will always beat a single and "Swift", the double I designed and
built is a good sea boat and quite fast.

When paddling into a strong wind I get more power by changeng the position
of my hands on the paddle for each stroke. When pulling on the right blade
the right hand is in the middle of the loom and the left is on the left
blade. When pulling left the positions are reversed. This comes naturally
after a bit of persistent practice. This effectively gives a longer paddle
length in the water and reduces the wind resistance on the blade in the air.
It seems more efficient to do this when you want the extra power rather than
going for a longer paddle.

I am not sure why but I find that the techique of using a Greenland paddle
forces me to paddle properly using leg and back muscles as much as the arm
and shoulders.

I have never considered using the paddle as a rudder except as a stern
rudder/brace when in surf or on a wave face but I am realy only a begginer
to kayaking.  Of course every New Zealand sea kayak has a rudder but in
contrast to some of the New World designs that have rudders most NZ designs
incorporate a solid adjustablefoot rest so that you do not press on the
streering peddles when using leg muscles for paddling.  I started off using
a large rudder for streering but have now reduced the size of the rudder as
it is generally only used for course correct in wind and waves.  The paddles
are used for turning.

Happy paddling
Derek


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