Re: [Paddlewise] Paddles (again)

As I said in a previous post on the topic of paddles, I may or may not
have been pulling your leg on the direction of lift.  If you looked
as the diagram of the Greenland-style paddle in a canted stroke as
seen on Sea Kayaker's web site, is isn't easy to determine the direction
of lift, especially during the first part of the stroke where the paddle
is shown going down.

I created a couple of crude diagrams to show what's happening (more or
less - these diagrams aren't super accurate)

http://members.rogers.com/michaeldaly2/GPFlow.htm

If the paddle is assumed to just drop down (or with a trivial amount
of aft motion from the paddler), the lift generated will be aftward
and upward.  The aft component of the lift appears to be working against 
you.  

However, this isn't how the paddle is used.  The paddler will actively 
pull the paddle aft - resulting in the same paddle orientation but with 
the flow changed.  Now the lift is down and forward (diagram 2) - giving 
the paddler something to work against and move the kayak forward.

Mike



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