Re: [Paddlewise] Wooden Aluet Style Paddles ??

I purchased a Cricket Designs Aluet Style paddle and received it a couple 
of weeks ago.  Beautiful wood work and finish!  It is very light and feels 
great in the hands.  It certainly isn't for sprinting, but is like using a 
higher gear on a bike and seems to put less stress on the body.  I was also 
surprised at the excellent support provided for high and low braces and 
sculling for support.  During use I noticed a slight spring or give to the 
blades and an occasional flutter if I didn't start out solid.

I only used it once and it developed what appeared to be cracks all the way 
through the finish to the glass underneath at the base of one blade.  They 
ran in a line back to the shaft.   I didn't put any more stress on it than 
I would my Werner  Camano.  My other thought was that United Parcel Service 
had contacted Rev. Bob for testing instructions, but only used a couple of 
hundred pounds of weight on the unsupported shaft while the ends road on 
supports during shipping.   I've sent it back to Cricket, they are 
certainly great folks to do business with.  (Note:  Hope Mike, owner of 
Cricket, is doing better since his back surgery in July.)

Does anyone have any experience with paddles of this design and/or 
make.  Thoughts on proper technique in addition to a low angle 
stroke?  Should one be careful about doing   ?????   with the paddle.   I 
might flunk a BCU test, but I use the paddle behind the cockpit to steady 
the boat when entering from shore.  Is this bad, the support thing and not 
the BCU test?

Fred
Ca kayaker

At 05:04 PM 10/20/2000 -0400, Kirk Olsen wrote:
>A paddle is only "too light" if it breaks.

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