hi, i'm new...thought i'd intro myself. kathleen, 45, surviving the adolescence of my 2 adolescents, love cats and dogs and my husband and the kids (notice the order. oops) , new kayaker (2 mos.), buying a perception sierra, husband surfs longboard and wants to learn surf kayaking. i want to poke around and see birds and otters, etc. i'm in the s.f. bay area and intend to explore every creek in my town and the next 2 or 3 over. 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. i'm strong, but a beginner. i found "lightning" paddles out of oregon on the web and in the back of a book we have (www.paddles.com) and they have a 21 oz. one i am fantasizing about. can you guys enlighten me? is there such a thing as "too light" a paddle? when i rent them sometimes they are so heavy my hands tingle. yuck. i am not planning on surf. just the occasional chop and wakes. i don't expect to go out for more than 8 hours and at this point 4 is my upper limit. i don't camp (i consider motel 6 camping, but that's another story) so i won't be circumnavigating the aleutian islands, or anything like that, ever. just rec. day trips. and moonlight paddles, maybe. thanks for any pointers 'n' advice and best wishes to all. kcd kathleen comalli dillon~friend, mom, wife, musician, violinist, writer, ailurophile extraordinaire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "We can do no great things; we can only do small things with great love."-Mother Teresa~~"I find a lot of people like chubby 67-year-old girls."-Beverly Sills~~"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it."-Abraham Lincoln~~"Prepare to be assimila-----OOOOOoooooo, jelly donuts!"-Homer of Borg~~"I am Boris of Borg. Moose and Squirrel are irrelevant."~~ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, Kathleen. Basically, no, there is no such thing as a paddle which is too light. However, there is such a thing as a paddle which is too weak, and there are many such things as paddles which are too expensive. ;) Start here: http://www.paddling.com/manufacturers/paddle-manufacturers.cfm *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kevin Stevens wrote: > > Basically, no, there is no such thing as a paddle which is too light. However, > there is such a thing as a paddle which is too weak, and there are many such > things as paddles which are too expensive. ;) The saying used to be, "Light, strong, cheap: pick any two." There is an exception to this now, Whetstone Paddles (http://www.kayakstore.com), which sells only mailorder, so you save the retail markup prices are about $100 less than most other manufacturers. They only do carbon fiber/S-glass lay-ups, designed by a composite materials science guy from Georgia Tech. I just received my new Whetstone WW paddle, and it's pretty. Inaugural trip this weekend. I don't have any $$ connection with the company, but its President has rescued me on the river a couple of times and is generally a nice guy. He used to be the manager of Harmony Paddles (not terribly light, fairly strong, reasonably priced). If you talk to William, say hi for me. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
timbre_at_best.com wrote: > > hi, i'm new...thought i'd intro myself. [snip] > 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 > [snip] i found "lightning" paddles out of > oregon on the web and in the back of a book we have (www.paddles.com) and > they have a 21 oz. one i am fantasizing about. can you guys enlighten > me? is there such a thing as "too light" a paddle? when i rent them > sometimes they are so heavy my hands tingle. yuck. Most likely the problem is that your wrists are bent during the power phase of your stroke, **not** that the paddle is too heavy. Strongly suggest you get an experienced paddler/guide to examine your stroke. Your hands should not tingle -- the tingling may be a sign of incipient tendonitis. (Been there, am there, doing that -- wish I weren't!) BTW, I have used a short (220 cm) Lightning stick for over 6 years, in one of their heavier layups, and can vouch for its quality. My tendonitis stems from poor technique, not the layup. My paddle is 28-30 oz, I think. 21 oz is really light! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:34 AM 10/20/00 -0700, Dave Kruger wrote: >timbre_at_best.com wrote: >> >> hi, i'm new...thought i'd intro myself. [snip] > >> 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 >> [snip] i found "lightning" paddles out of >> oregon on the web and in the back of a book we have (www.paddles.com) and >> they have a 21 oz. one i am fantasizing about. can you guys enlighten >> me? is there such a thing as "too light" a paddle? when i rent them >> sometimes they are so heavy my hands tingle. yuck. I paddle a Lightning standard but it's the old fiberglass shaft model. I've also paddled the carbon fiber version and I really liked it. It definately felt a lot lighter than my paddle but I'm sure that I get used to it. Getting used to the price (~$345 US) is another thing. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 20 Oct 2000, John Fereira wrote: > >> 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 > >> [snip] i found "lightning" paddles out of > >> oregon on the web and in the back of a book we have (www.paddles.com) and > >> they have a 21 oz. one i am fantasizing about. can you guys enlighten > >> me? is there such a thing as "too light" a paddle? A paddle is only "too light" if it breaks. > I paddle a Lightning standard but it's the old fiberglass shaft model. > I've also paddled the carbon fiber version and I really liked it. I've had a custom lightning ultralight (with Struer blades instead of one of the usual Lightning blades) for a few years. It's a nice paddle. My wife is very adament that she needs to be the one using it when we paddle together. I've tried a couple of Epic paddles (http://www.epicpaddles.com). I'm now lusting after one of their length/lock paddles as our next lightweight paddle. > It > definately felt a lot lighter than my paddle but I'm sure that I get used > to it. Getting used to the price (~$345 US) is another thing. More than once I've loaned out my Lightning (like with paddlewiser Jack Fu) and had them quickly convinced that a really light paddle is a wonderful thing. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The first superlight paddle I ever held was Kirk Olsen's. It felt so light I thought my arms would rise in the air, as if they were tied to helium ballooms. I thought: "Damn, this is indecent! I'm going to have to buy one!" I did, and have loved it ever since. Jack Fu 47°38'N 122°08'W -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Kirk Olsen <snip> More than once I've loaned out my Lightning (like with paddlewiser Jack Fu) and had them quickly convinced that a really light paddle is a wonderful thing. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kirk: Thank you for the link and the information. I got one in name. This is really a neat link and has great detail on boat and paddle. It never ceases to amaze me how much information there is to glean from participants in Paddlewise! It provides a humbling lesson in humility to realize that one doesn't have enough information to reach a logical conclusion. Let alone be opinionated (My wife would disagree with that one!)! Thanks again: Fred At 11:43 AM 10/23/2000 -0400, you wrote: >On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Fred T, CA Kayaker wrote: > > > I purchased a Cricket Designs Aluet Style paddle and received it a couple > > of weeks ago. > >Hi Fred, > >As a followup to my other email. For a picture of the blade shapes of an >aleut paddle try http://www.arctickayaks.com/LinesAleutMAE593-76.pdf > >kirk >Did you get a "real" aleut paddle or one in name? A "proper" aleut >paddle will have a raised center ridge and a concave section between >the ridges and the edge *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
on 10/20/00 2:46 AM, timbre_at_best.com at timbre_at_best.com wrote: snip > > 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 snip I'd recommend a good bent shaft paddle. Go to www.atpaddle.com and look at the Adventure Technology touring paddle. My preference is for a one piece paddle made at a 45 degree feather. I have two of their paddles, one white water and one touring. About four years ago I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. An occupational hazard, working five days a week as a dental hygienist, and then going out most weekends kayaking. I went and bought a AT paddle right away and was able to continue working and kayaking (lots of Ibuprofen and ice) while the wrists healed slowly over about a four month period. No problem since. The bent shaft combined with a 45 degree feather makes it easy to keep the wrists in a nuetral position. I don't know if the two piece friction lock works good. Someone else may have some information on that. Not having any experience with it I'll only recommend the one piece paddle. The blade design is very good, the shaft is one of the best bent shafts, and the material and workmanship is great. Rex *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----------- 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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 07:12 PM 10/20/00 -0700, Melissa Reese wrote: >For me - technique is more important than lightness, bent vs. >straight shaft, and feather angle (I paddle with an 80° feather >without any problems). I just wanted to see this reiterated. So many times (mostly from whitewater paddlers) I've seen people claim that lower degreed feather angled paddled "cured" their wrist problems. I've maintained that it isn't the paddle that causes wrist problems; it's the technique one uses when using a paddle with a high degree of feather angle. Specifically, if you continually bend your wrist to it's maximum range you're going to have wrist problems. If one bends their wrist and their elbow neither joint is bent to it's maximum range and even a 90 degree feathered paddle can be used without problems. I also maintained that an unfeathered paddle can cause more problems than a feathered paddle if there is a strong wind. Pushing the wind with every stroke and controlling a wobbling blade probably puts more stress on the joints than a feathered paddle that is cutting into the wind. There. That ought to stir things up. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>[SNIP] >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. [SNIP] Kathleen, I also paddle with a Lightning paddle and love it. The light fiberglass layup is light and really nice. Plus, a bit cheaper than carbon fiber. I think one of the most important things next to proper technique is always stretching, warming up and cooling down. In addition to paddling I also rock climb. Both these sports are pretty tough on hands and wrists. I play guitar and when I started climbing I was a bit concerned about my fingers locking up so I looked into some good wrist and finger stretches. Here are a few, I'm sure some people can submit some more. Hold your arm down and straight. Grasp your finger tips and pull the finger gently back while keeping them straight. Hold for 15 seconds and breath. Hold arms to your side and straight. Quickly flick your fingers on both hands 15 times as if you were trying to dry them off. Repeat this with your arms at you out horizontally and pointed upwards. The various parts of the body seems to be somehow connected (muscles or something). Taking care of your wrists is just one small part. Be sure and stretch everything else out as well. One of my favorites is to get in the boat, grab the cockpit combing at the front with my right hand, reach to the back with my left and twist my body. Hold the twist and breath for 15 seconds then repeat for the other side. My upper neck gets really stiff and this works wonders. It also has the added benefit of letting you practice turning around and seeing what is going on behind you. Anyone else have favorite stretches? -Patrick pmaun_at_bitstream.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Sat, Oct 21, 2000 at 08:31:33AM -0500, Patrick Maun wrote: > Anyone else have favorite stretches? Yup. Here's one: While standing, hold your paddle out in front of you, waist-high. Now rotate it so that it's vertical -- let's say that if you're doing this right-handed, your right hand will end up in front of and just above your forehead; your left hand will be roughly in front of your navel. Now swing your left elbow out (to the left) and away from your body, far enough that your left hand will clear your hip...so that you can swing your left elbow in (to the right) so that now your left hand is behind your back. Your right hand will simultaneously move to the rear so that it's behind your head. Do this s.l.o.w.l.y. because you're putting some pressure on your shoulder as you do it. If this has all worked, then the paddle is now behind you, vertical, in a very similar position to the way that you were holding it in front of you. Now rotate the paddle about the shaft axis to the left...right...back... now SLOWLY pull forward with your right hand, forcing your left hand out and away from your back -- i.e. use the paddle as a lever and your back as the fulcrum. Undo and repeat on the other side. I find this terrific for stretching out the muscles that I use for the duffek stroke; the key is to do it slowly because of the awkward position that it puts several joints into. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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