Re: [Paddlewise] paddles

Hello,

I noticed it's not only rounding the ends but to keep the tip edges as
sharp as possible. I was told this makes for a better exit of the blade
as you slice the blade forward when getting it out of the water. My
edges are about 4 to 6mm in radius. What also matters a lot is the
insertion of the blade into the water, i.e. the angle and the
distribution of the applied power. I usually try to start the stroke
with less power and increase to maximum when approaching the middle of
the stroke and decrease to the end. When getting the paddle out, I try
to have no power in it. I start with the upper edge of the blade tilted
slighly backward, and turn the blade during the stroke so the upper edge
is tilted slighly forward when maximum power is on the paddle and even
more tilted when getting the blade out of the water ("Rolling with
Maligiaq" shows the technique).

Gerald


>I have found that a clean entry is largely dependant on the end
>shape. Rounded tends to be cleaner. I've made both euro and greenland
>paddles with both rounded and squared ends. Rounded tends to enter
>quietly, square goes "kerplunk". I actually broke the tip of one of
>my euro blades last weekend. It had a square end and the other end
>was round, so I went kerplunk, swish, kerplunk, swish, kerplunk,
>swish, ...

>By the way, even though one end was about 4 sq inches smaller than
>the other I didn't really notice it. Other than the noise.
>Nick

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