Re: [Paddlewise] paddles

I wonder if the narrow paddle works better because the entry is cleaner?
John used the words 'feel better'.  I would presume the gradual insertion of
the paddle blade into the water to feel better than the 'kerplunk' of a wide
blade.  I designed a double paddle with a long blade tapering to almost a
point, relatively speaking, and it is very nice to use and I like the feel
of it. I haven't had experience with different paddle shapes, but from the
canoe paddles that I have used (almost all the good old square bottom
paddles, el cheepo's) this is much nicer.

Another point is that because the blade is longer and sharper, it is already
in the water once I want to apply power.  Okay, that statement is a bit
illogical, but if I had a shorter blade, I would have to wait and start
applying the power a bit later.  My stroke could end up feeling a bit more
stilted.   During the paddle stroke we are doing a series of actions...
reach, insert paddle, apply power, adjust stroke to maintain intended paddle
attitude, end power, withdraw paddle, return, and then back to the beginning
of the list...over and over.  At no time do we think of these as all
independent events, at least I sure hope not.  We don't wait till the paddle
is completely and ideally planted before applying power.  It is all a
progression from one action to another and somethings, like the return
stroke, are actually incidental to the other stroke being performed at the
same time.  Now a higher aspect blade is a longer blade.  This means our
reach starts out further ahead, and the initial contact with the water is
with a smaller area of the paddle than with a low aspect blade.  This gives
us more time to move from insertion to applying power.  If we have a bit
more time, we have time to control it or influence it.  Also the insert and
withdraw end up being less abrupt/more progressive, always as nice
biomechanic attribute.

So my vote is that the higher aspect ratio blade feels better because it is
more progressive in its contact with the water.

Marvin

...
> This raises some questions. Why does a narrow (I think he means high
aspect
> ratio. Correct me if I assume incorrectly, Michael) paddle work better?
What
> characteristics does a high aspect ratio paddle possess that makes it feel
> better than a low aspect ratio paddle? Can we not duplicate  those
> characteristics with a low aspect ratio blade? If not, why not?  Matt
Brose
> asked a similar question and I don't think he got an answer.
>
> I think the proponents of the high aspect ratio paddles have assumed some
> properties for those paddles that simply cannot be duplicated with any
other
> type. My own tank test experiments and research by others suggests
otherwise.
> Perhaps they need more experience with a wider range of low aspect ratio
> paddles. In any case, the type of paddle you use really does not matter so
> long as you still enjoy your paddling. What does matter is evangelism
based on
> poor and unsupported theory.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> John Winters
>
>
>
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PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
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