Re: [Paddlewise] intro and lightning paddles??

----------- Original Message -----------

From: timbre_at_best.com
Date:  Thu, 19 Oct 2000 19:46:32 -0700
Subject:  [Paddlewise] intro and lightning paddles??

-some snippage-

>>i need some paddle advice.  not as in paddling, but as in buying a
paddle.  by profession i'm a violinist so very protective of my hands
(anyone in the sf bay area here, i play with marin, santa rosa, 
oakland, and am concertmaster of vallejo sym.  c'mon down!).  i'm 
looking at LIGHT paddles.<<

Hi Kathleen - and welcome to this wonderful list!  You've already 
received quite a bit of information on good, light paddles (also 
check out the carbon Werner "Camano" as well).  

I too am a musician ('cellist), so I'm very careful with my hands as 
well.  Lightness in a paddle is a wonderful thing, but as far as I'm 
concerned, a good technique is even more important to prevent 
excessive strain and/or injury.

For me - technique is more important than lightness, bent vs. 
straight shaft, and feather angle (I paddle with an 80° feather 
without any problems).

Just as a good and relaxed technique is essential for playing an 
instrument, it is for "playing" a paddle as well.  You mentioned that 
you were "...strong, but a beginner...". Sheer strength, thought it 
can be helpful, is also less important than a good technique.  

If you have access to some good instruction for developing a relaxed 
and efficient stroke(s), do take advantage of it.  Also... don't 
forget the aesthetically beautiful, efficient, and relaxing technique 
employed in handling a traditional Greenland paddle.  Here are a 
couple of sites that could be interesting to you...

  http://seacanoe.org/grnpadle.htm#THE 

   http://pages.cthome.net/wsmith16/greenland.html 

Good luck finding the right paddle(s) for yourself - and no matter 
what paddles you end up with, immerse yourself in the pleasure of 
learning a smooth, relaxed, and efficient paddling technique.

Enjoy!

Melissa


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