RE: [Paddlewise] wing theory

Gerald Wrote: -
>In practice the paddle is not vertical,
>nor does it move straight back.  The
>wing stroke uses arms that are essentially
>locked through the power phase, causing
>the paddle to naturally move outward as
>well as back, generating both lift and
>drag in the same direction.  This reduces
>the energy loss between the energy expended
>by the paddler and that received by the boat.

Nick Shade wrote: -
>Moving water indicates kinetic energy in the
>water that could have been kinetic energy for
>the kayak.

G'Day Gerald,

I'm guessing that a wing stroke is one in which the paddle is at a low angle
to the water compared with the vertical or high angle often used when racing
kayaks.

When I paddle with a high angle, aiming to keep the paddle near the side of
the boat throughout the stroke, it feels much less exhausting than using a
low angle. This may have nothing to do with efficiency and be a
biomechanical effect, due to optimal matching of muscle, tendons and
skeleton to stroke. However, it might also be that the low angle stroke is
moving water at right angles to the boat and dissipatng energy, in the water
and in the human body, that is not associated with forward movement?

Arguably a low angle stroke is less efficient than using a high angle.

All the best, PeterO


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