Re: [Paddlewise] Switching paddle types

Let me see if I can address some of the issues brought forth by the esteemed 
gentlemen Nick, Ralph, Matt and Jim.


Nick Writes:
"The reason to do a sliding stroke is to get more power out of a 
single stroke. You state that this is sometimes required for the 
paddle to get out of a jam. However, the typical euro paddle has this 
power without the need for a sliding stroke. They are used in 
whitewater after all. If a sliding stroke is needed, it would be 
hoped that it does it well. But if it is not needed, it is still 
beneficial if it is possible."

I completely agree that a GP needs a sliding stroke to become as propulsive 
as a decent "euro" blade. One of the reasons to do a sliding stroke is to 
develop hull speed, but there are other benefits such as lowering the winds 
effects to the blade. It's a technique that is available to do if one needs 
to, as Ralph asked, have the power available to get out of a jam. I think the 
perception is that they cannot. They can very easily and due to the nature of 
a sliding stroke and the blade's overall lower profile are in my sincere and 
humbly offered opinion, less susceptible to wind. 

Sliding strokes are used all the time, however. They are used for subtle 
course correction, resistance to weathercocking, extending a brace, sculling, 
etc. Sliding is probably the simplest technique to learn in the Greenland 
repetoire. Heck, I didn't even learn to rub my tummy counterclockwise and the 
top of my head clockwise until I was at least 30!

Matt writes:
"GP downsides-can't wear pogies and move your hand around on the blade.
How does one do a sliding stroke if you've wrapped a line around the blade
to act as a drip ring?"

No sir, one may not wear pogies. I wear 2 mil neoprene gloves when the water 
goes below 50 degrees and have no problems other than taking longer to open a 
ziplock bag with my snacks in it. The drip ring some use is often parachute 
cord (1/8th to 1/4 inch) and is barely a bump along the way up and down the 
blade.

Ralph writes:
"Another powerful way of using what is already a powerful paddle, i.e. the
Europaddle, is to switch modes between touring mode and power mode...and it
does not involve sliding.  The normal touring mode with an EP is one in
which (without getting into elaborate details of the stroke) you are doing
body rotation etc. with the paddle being basically rotated around a pivot
point about a comfortable bent arm distance in front of you (again a
simplification...I know a lot more is going on).  That touring mode stroke
can be maintained forever with little strength and stamina needed.  The
power mode is one in which the arms are kept fairly stiff and only slightly
bent if at all.  The paddle is then driven into and through the water.  It
is a powerful stroke that resembles what racers do.  It is hard to maintain
for long unless you are in top conditions (they are) but it will power you
out any jam."

It's the same thing with a GP, standard and sliding stroke. One paddle, 
multiple techniques to overcome the challenges of the immediate environment. 
Ironically, it has the same downside: It's hard to maintain the propulsive 
sliding stroke for a long time as it requires some effort. A deeply planted 
paddle with the length of blade of a GP requires good effort to maintain. 

Nick writes:
"Why is it a stretch to think that a sliding stroke couldn't be as 
fluid as with a GP. With a GP your hand needs to open up, with a euro 
it doesn't. A barely perceptible cocking of the wrist takes care of 
the feathering, and you just let the shaft slide. I guess it depends 
on what you consider fluid, but you seem to suggest the euro sliding 
stroke is as graceful as a pig on rollerskates. As with the GP, with 
practice it is very fluid and effortless. Sure it takes practice, but 
it does with a GP as well."

I would suggest, be they round, oval or popcicle shafted a paddlers hands 
need only open up to the degree necessary to allow the paddle to pass to its 
intended place. I don't believe a GP users hands open up at risk beyond a 
round or oval shaft as they are still only passing along the edge, a 
substantial edge that offers excellent indexing and control. I will work on a 
"euro" sliding stroke, sometime in the next few days to see if I progress 
from my rollerskates to the realm of fluidity!

Jim writes:
"...and what I think my stroke does might not be proved by scientific 
analysis."

Unfortunately, I doubt we'll ever peel open National Geographic, Discover or 
Popular Science and see "Euro Paddles Have It All Over GP's, See Page 3." I 
think our choice in tools reflects alot of things about our personal taste 
and learning environment and our adaptation to the conditions we paddle in. 
Perhaps Matt's choice of words is apropos, "I think we have come upon another 
one of those "religious" debates in paddling." Until the definitive studies 
by a blue ribbon panel of experts conclude, we're all we have for evidence, 
one paddle for another!

Paddle well,

Rob G


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