Re: [Paddlewise] Switching paddle types

On Monday, September 16, 2002, at 4:40:23 PM PST, Nick Schade wrote:

> Frankly I don't see any difference between pushing a GP blade deep
> in the water and putting a euro deep in the water. In both cases you
> are moving the center of effort of the blade farther out from your
> hands. The physical result is the same. How does a sliding stroke
> create an advantage if it doesn't move the center of effort away
> from the boat?

Hi Nick,

You're right about moving the center of effort away from the
boat...it's the same with both types of paddle. I was trying - and not
very well - to describe the different relationship of how much of the
entire length of paddle is in the water during a stroke, as well as
some aspect of different types of control possible as a result of
that, and the different way in which holding a GP blade assists in its
own way of "indexing" (as opposed to holding the throat of a feathered
euro paddle blade).

Since a GP's blade takes up more of the paddle's overall length than a
Euro blade (and consequently the shaft is much shorter), there *is* a
distinct difference in how a "sliding stroke" feels and responds when
used with a GP as opposed to sliding hands along a euro paddle.

I didn't explain myself very well (still haven't, I fear), and when I
have more time to try and think this out, I may try again.

In non-technical mode, I will say this though...

After years of using a euro paddle, and developing a very comfortable
and efficient technique with it, it wasn't long after I switched to a
GP that I came to really prefer it. Perhaps I'll never be able to
explain the reasons in all their finer technical details (just because
of my lack of true "techno-geekness" when it comes to hydrodynamics),
but for me, on-the-water experience with both paddle types has shown
me clearly what I'm more comfortable with, and what I now prefer.

-- 
Melissa

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