RE: [Paddlewise] Storm & Surf sticks

Greg Stamer said:

<snip>
<<<<
I prefer a Greenland stick for all of my sea kayaking including large
glassy waves from passing hurricanes to nasty dumping waves to blown-out

victory-at-sea conditions. Even nice weather too. My buddies with Euro
blades also play in the same conditions. So the real question is not
whether or not "Euro" or Greenland equipment can handle surf and storm
conditions, but whether or not you have the competency and skills with
your
chosen equipment to safely handle the conditions.
<<<<

I think Greg's comments are right on the mark. I know of trips where
storm conditions came up fast and furious to over 50 knots. The
Greenland stick paddler veered off, unable to keep up (don't ask me why
they didn't keep together - I never did get a straight answer). The
other two guys now suffer the opinion that the Greenland paddle is good
for one thing only -- firewood! This is a bit unfair, as the skill and
competency of the paddler in question was actually the missing part of
the equation. The answer isn't blowing in the wind.

By default, I would say that a europaddle, even a whitewater paddle,  is
best for surf work with a new paddler. Unless one is adept and
experienced with the Greenland paddle, as the Greenland paddle isn't the
norm for surf play. For rough water paddling, both the Greenland paddle
and the eurobladded paddle have advantages and disadvantages. Much of my
opinion is based on second hand info, however.

One thing I did experience first hand was the Storm Island trip with two
other paddlers. At the height of the gale, when seas were big and
breaking (enough that we had to claw over each wave), I had enough
presence of mind (as only a gonzo-demented paddler would have) to make
mental notes about paddler effort. The one paddler at the front of the
pack was using the bigger Nordkapp blades. He was able to power up and
over the waves (at least at first it was easy enough for him). I had the
smaller Archipelago blades, and had a hard time keeping up with him. I
knew the trip would be tormented by wind before we left, so thought the
smaller blade would be better, as I too have a Nordkapp paddle that I
didn't take on purpose. Of course I was towing an incapacitated paddler,
but I just couldn't dig in the way I normally would in "determination
mode", which would relegate the towing as less of a drain for the good
condition I was in  -- at the time. I had narrow blades on my rear deck
spare too. In future, I will take both a set of big blades, and a set of
narrow bladed paddles, then I can switch back and forth as needed. I may
even carry a greenland stick when I make one, for at least a spare ( not
firewood: :-)) The paddler that was in trouble also had narrower blades.
The best paddle I ever owned was an Aquabound with a wide blade, but a
soft dihedral for easy shoulder comfort. It was all black however, and I
felt that was not a safe paddle, so didn't replace it after loosing it.

Once out at sea, ya run what ya brung.

DL

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