From: "Scheckman/Hackbarth" <scheckmn_at_together.net> > 3. He has a hard time pivoting the paddle because of his stiff wrists. For > example it is hard to do a high brace on the left side with right hand > control. When going back to paddling on the right the blade angle is in the > wrong position, at times causing him to roll over. I am one of those who thinks that the control hand should only be used when paddling forward with a regular stroke. When bracing, sculling, rolling and drawing, the control should be in the hand closest to the active blade. It could be awkward to learn this after many years of paddling the other way, however. If you teach yourself to switch control hands for bracing, sculling, rolling and drawing, the problem of feather angle goes away. > 1.. Should the issues with his body be an over whelming reason to by an AT > paddle? That depends - a bent shaft is easier on the wrist joints for some (like me), but others aren't convinced. He'd really have to try it. Overall, the AT is an excellent paddle, if a tad pricey. > 4. He has big hands and would like a grip that positively locates the paddle > blade and fits his hands. > 2.. Which of these paddles has a grip more suitable for bigger hands and > provides positive location? There isn't a noticable difference in the shaft sizes in these paddles that I can remember. I have big hands (long, but not wide) too. I find bent shafts are better for positive location regardless of shaft size. For shafts that are oval, it is possible to "bulk up" the grip area by adding an index (a strip of plastic in a U or V shape) along the grip area and hold it in place with shrink wrap tubing. > 3.. All offer different size blades. Should he get the larger blade? A larger blade means more load on his joints - he might be better off with a smaller blade. However, too small a blade would lead to a rapid tempo, which may be worse. Since he's strong, a mid-sized blade may be a good compromise. > 4.. Should he get a paddle feathered at 45 degrees, go unfeathered, or try > left hand control to deal with his wrist pivoting problem? Epic and AT have the option of a variable feather - he would be able to set any angle he wishes. That would allow him to find a comfortable angle. > 5.. Do you sacrifice anything with a bent like is it harder to do low > braces? That seems to vary with the paddler - I find that they aren't a problem. The only thing that takes getting used to is a running draw - the bent shaft tends to twist in this case. Werner makes a neutral bent shaft that should avoid this. > 6.. Any thoughts or recommendations? Consider the neutral bent shaft of Werner. I'd recommend Lendal, except they don't offer a smaller blade size - even their smallest one is on the big side. If he's handy with wood - consider making a Greenland-style paddle - they tend to be easy on the joints. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jul 12 2002 - 19:04:32 PDT
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