At 9:57 PM -0700 7/25/02, Matt Broze wrote: > > >Back to the present. A higher stroke rate for whatever reason (such as with >using a shorter paddle) would have the same speed smoothing benefits. I >don't think this accounts for the apparent problem I'm having with the >different paddles since it appears from the data given us that each stroke >moved the kayak roughly an equal distance through the water and the higher >stoke rate therefore made for a directly proportional (to the stroke rate) >increase in speed (with its even larger proportional increase in drag). I >think that is a far larger discrepancy than can be accounted for by the >above. Partially, well I'd agree with that but, but only a small part. It is not only the stroke rate itself that gives the smoothing benefit. It is the shorter "down-time" between strokes that typically comes with a higher stroke rate. Imagine two kayaks paddling side by side at the same speed. Guy A has his paddle in the water for 1 second and then out for one second, the Guy B is paddling with in the water for 2 seconds and out for 1. They both will decelerate similarly between strokes, but Guy B will not need to accelerate as much during the time his paddle in the water. As a result he won't need to apply as much force and his stroke will be more efficient. The goal should be to minimize the time your paddle is out of the water while maximizing the "duty-cycle" or the percentage of time the paddle is in the water relative to the full stroke time. A fast stroke rate can do this, but it may break down if your stroke technique gets sloppy. It is possible to have a very quick recovery while having a relatively slow stroke rate. It requires concentration to maintain good technique while trying to go fast. Taking time to work on really sound technique will have much more effect on your efficiency than any choice of paddle. -- Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-8847 *************************************************************************** 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 26 2002 - 07:33:14 PDT
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