Re: [Paddlewise] Advantages of the high aspect ratio paddle?

Pipeguy55_at_aol.com wrote:

>  < My question to you or others is this:
> Do you still use your original paddle or has the "traditional" paddle become
> the exclusive paddle of choice. >

If I can horn in on this dialogue:  I switched to a (3 1/2" wide blade, 86" long,
24"loom) white spruce Greenland paddle (produced by Peter Pestalozzi of Odyysey
Designs in Duluth) about a year ago.  Every so often I'll try a Euro paddle again
(I own several - a Mid-Swift, a CD Medusa, etc) to see if I'm missing something;
I'm not.  The Greenland paddle and my 72" storm paddle are all I use now.

> <The reason I'm asking is that it seems to me
> that on high wind or rough water conditions, and on long trips the Greenland
> paddle would be a better choice.  On light wind and short trips, or if I feel
> like "getting aerobic" for a half-hour the Werner Camano is my weapon of
> choice.

Today, on a local chain of lakes, I ran into one of the fittest and most skillful
paddlers in the area.  He regularly paddles in any kind of water in Lake Superior
and can do 40 mile days at a fast pace (4 to 4.5 knots pace).  He is younger and
far fitter than I, so I joined him today and cruised for a bit at his quick tempo
(he uses Lendals) with no difficulty.  Then I asked him if we could sprint for a
bit to see how far behind I might be left with my jGreenland blades.  It didn't
happen, I stayed with him to very near hull speed and did not drop behind.  Given
our relative fitness levels, the only (subjective) conclusion I can come to is
that my Greenland paddle IS as efficient as his Euro paddle.  Oh, by the way , we
both paddle Nordkapp Jubilees and are about the same size.

Dennis - St. Paul

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