[Paddlewise] "Regular" paddle stroke

Rick Sylvia wrote:
>A week ago, in a class, the instructor talked about placing the paddle in
>the water at your toes, and removing it from the water at your hip. He gave
>a quick explanation of the physics of taking it out at the hip rather than
a
>longer follow through, then went on to another topic. I meant to ask him
>about it back at the take-out, but forget, now I can't even remember the
>quick explanation.
>
>So.... what are the physics here? Why do you lose efficiency if your stroke
>extends past your hip? It was something about water compression versus
>lift?????


G'Day

	Having wasted more energy than I like to remember using a paddlestroke
which went too far behind the hip and having recently corrected the stroke,
I can vouch for the efficiency of taking the paddle out near the hip - in
the long term its much less tiring. What seems to happen when I take out the
blade too far behind the hip is that the stroke pushes water in to the side
of the boat as well as lifting the water on the blade, neither of which is
productive in moving the boat forward.
	By the way I promised to report after a month on the shorter paddle and
olympic style of stroke and can confirm that it was much more effcient and
works fine without any need to brace in up to two foot confused waves and
wash, beyond that I revert to a flatter more supporting stroke, (but I have
a boat which seems to mold to waves). The spoon blade on the other hand gave
good propulsion but very little support and I won't be using it for sea
kayaking.

All the best, PeterO
        Who also helps with the Paddlewise Who's Who List
        so if you need to add an entry or make a modification
        my email address is rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au


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