Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak surfing question

In a message dated 7/20/00 2:39:17 AM Central Daylight Time, mkayaks_at_oz.net 
(Matt) writes:

<<I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing by extended paddle. I take
an extended paddle brace to mean that you extend the paddle more to the
bracing side as you would do with an extended paddle roll. I can't see how
(if this is what Kevin means too) that can be accomplished without moving
the hands on the paddle ... >>  Note: We were talking about a Greenland style 
paddle.

For me, extended means moving the bracing side hand across the middle of the 
paddle until it hits the other hand.  The non-bracing side hand then slides 
out about 3/4 of the way to the end of the blade (my blades are a little too 
wide for the grip to go all the way to the end.  I end up with what is 
probably about a normal width grip for a Euro paddle, but with lots of extra 
length out the bracing side. 

<< ... out of the traditional narrow position (which I agree wouldn't give 
you an effective brace so why bother keeping the hand close together anyhow)

>From you earlier post I got the impression that you were suggesting not using 
the extended brace in the surf.  From this comment I get the impression that 
I can not use the normal (narrow) paddling grip to brace.  Are you suggesting 
some modified grip (not normal narrow Greenland and not extended Greenland) 
for bracing?  If so could you explain a little more.  

<< Being unfeathered your Greenland paddle would probably just get broken by
 the surf anyway ;-) >>

Can you explain what happens to unfeathered paddles that breaks them in the 
surf.  Do you consider it unsafe to paddle with a Greenland paddle if you 
will be doing surf landings?

Do you consider it unsafe to do surf sessions with a Greenland paddle.?  I 
would like to spend more time in surf as a boat handling exercise, but if I 
am not using my regular paddle it does not do me much good in that regard.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
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