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

Michael wrote in response to my query:  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?

> Good question, and one I've been thinking about. There's the wind advantage,
> of course; high-aspect ratio blades aren't as efficient at catching wind as
> are wider >blades at low air speeds. 

How would it compare to a feathered paddle? In my own case I use an
unfeathered low aspect ratio paddle but in wind keep the paddle low in front
of me where it  merges with the flow around my body. How would it compare with
that?

> As for performance in the water,  I'm still a newcomer to this style of
> paddle, but my experience suggests a few possible hypotheses: 
> 
> 1. I think the high aspect ratio paddles are amenable to a wider range of
> paddling styles. It's *much* easier to vary the amount of blade in the water,
> which lets >you sort of gearshift that way. I usually use a wide, low stroke
> in which the entire blade is not submerged. I can change to a very vertical
> stroke when I need a >burst of acceleration. 


Since you can vary the forces on a low aspect ratio paddle by feathering it as
well as varying its immersion it would seem a wash. Also I have no problem
with doing both vertical and flat strokes with my low aspect ratio paddle but
wonder how well one can do a vertical sprint style stroke with a high aspect
ratio paddle. Seems like it would prove awkward at best.


> 2. Greater flotation. The classic Greenland style paddle is more buoyant than
> its European kin. Better for bracing and rolling. 


Not so sure about this unless one restricts the discussion of low aspect ratio
paddles to the thin composite blades. Besides, how much effect does the
buoyancy have on rolling? Could anybody notice it?   


> 3. Control of the angle of attack. The Greenland paddle makes it very simple
> to feel the angle of the blade. I have occasionally found myself thrown off
> balance >pulling a European style blade through or out of the water and
> getting an unexpected level of resistance. 


Perhaps this has more to do with the design of a specific blade than to the
low aspect ratio paddle in general. Do you get thrown off balance with all low
aspect ratio blades? I wonder why this has not happened to me. I suspect Matt
and others who use low aspect ratio blades may  have some thoughts on this. 


> 4. Similarly: The angle of attack is less critical in manoeuvres like a
> sculling brace. Tip a Euro-style paddle blade a bit and it dives under the
> surface. With the >Greenland style blade you can feel where it's supposed to
> be. Err a bit, and you can recover without dragging yourself into an
> unintentional roll. 


This sounds like a problem with specific paddle blades and not the entire
genre. White-water paddlers who have to deal with turbulent water in the
extreme and do some heavy duty manoeuvring and bracing mostly use low aspect
ratio paddles (in my experience) . If the low aspect ratio paddle caused
control problems why doe sit seem so popular in conditions where control means
so much?

I think several people have written about real life comparisons mostly having
to do with paddling with others who used low aspect ratio paddles. I wonder
how much one can draw from such comparisons. For example:

Ten people go for a paddle. Nine use low aspect ratio paddles of the same
design. One uses a high aspect ratio paddle. All ten boats have different hull
shapes. At the end of the morning they all arrive at the same place at the
same time having paddled together the whole time in varied wind and wave
conditions. Now,  :

Who was the strongest paddler?

Who paddled the fastest boat?

Which paddle type was most efficient?

Which person paddled nude? (Thanks Richard for bringing up this vital point)

Which paddler had a headache?

Which paddler was getting over the flu?

Which paddler was angry because he had been told to stay with the group?

Which paddler was putting moves on the cute young lady in boat #6?

It would seem to me that the variables and the absence of information will
limit the value of these comparisons.


Cheers,

John Winters


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************