April 27, 2003 Chariton, IA David: << Anyone have any experience with the Derek Hutchinson designed Toksook paddle . It is an interesting looking paddle and I recently saw it in use while observing some of his teaching clinics from the shore at the ECCK festival in Charleston , S.C. >> I took one of Derek's classes at the Charleston festival two weeks ago, and got a chance to use his Tosook for a few minutes, after the class. I liked it enough to start thinking of getting one. It seems slightly heavier than my Lendal Nordkapp, but appears stronger (w/heavy spine & metal tipped blades). I think one of its better points may be the symetrical blades (all faces can be power faces). Derek told us that the heavy raised spine provides additional lift (as well as strength), and that he can roll with the edge of the blade, almost as well as with the face. He declined to demonstrate this as he said "I don't do water." :-) I also took a class with Wayne Horodowich, who uses this same paddle. Wayne's WEB site (www.useakayak.org) has some more detailed info. Both of these classes covered extended bracing techniques and turns. In a very limited test (other students were waiting their turn) I thought that the Tosook laid flatter (and presented a smoother brace turn) than my spooned Lendal. Chuck Flanagan ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Please send replies to: Cpf3_at_Escapees.Com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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