Re: [Paddlewise] Switching paddle types

In a message dated 9/16/2002 9:47:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com writes:


> If a GP is as effective as a "euro" only if you use proper technique, 
> why can't you use those same techniques on a euro to make it even 
> more effective? Why doesn't a sliding stroke with a euro increase its 
> power in the same way the stroke increases the power of a GP?
> 


Why not? Can you take a "euro" paddle and maintain the same depth and 
maintain an adequate indexing with a round or oval shaft as opposed to say, a 
GP that has longer blades that aid in indexing? Possibly, but the GP itself 
would be far more natural at it than a "euro." Fast cadences with a sliding 
stroke on a GP are relatively simple, particularly in the inquired of 
conditions Ralph asked of, moreso say, than a "euro". Again, the blade 
length/width assists in the hand position.

> >
> >In bad winds, a GP, in my opinion, is much less susceptable to wind. It 
> stays
> >lower along the deck for one thing and the edges are much finer and offer
> >much less surface to be grabbed by the wind. When one goes vertical the 
> blade
> >is typically deeper and is still much less of a target for wind. For sea
> >kayaking I've not gone back to the other side. I find no reason as GP's 
> are
> >again, in my opinion, emeinently more useful.
> 
> I am confused about why a euro does not stay close to the deck like a 
> GP. What is it about the euro that makes it so this technique is not 
> possible? And again, why can't you use a sliding stroke to reduce the 
> exposed area of the blade?

Next time you take to sea Nick, try a sliding stroke with a "euro" where your 
hand goes up to the throat of the blade and the other blade is buried deep. 
Then try it with the Greenland. Incidentally, in all the paddle technique 
primers I've read and been instructed from one of the more common issues is 
not to bury the (euro) blade too deeply. Additionally, If you slide the 
stroke on a "euro" and a foot or two of shaft are submerged it seems to me 
the blade would also be much harder to retrieve than a GP. It seems then to 
follow, that the "Euro" on a sliding stroke would then be less effective as 
it would take longer for the next stroke exposing one to harsher conditions 
and negating the need for such a practice in the conditions discussed in the 
string.

2 cents,

Rob G


> 
> If the advantage of a GP is a low stroke posture and the ability to 
> do a sliding stroke, I don't know why these advantages are not 
> available to the euro.
> 

They are. But low stroke posture isn't the only "advantage", just one 
attribute of that particular paddle (GP). Again, try a sliding stroke with a 
"euro" in high winds and rough seas and do it with a GP, assuming you are 
competent with it and tell me what is more naturally conducive to that 
maneuver.


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