On 6 Jun 2003 at 21:35, Matt Broze wrote: > I think bent shafts are over-rated. I've heard that from a lot of paddlers, but every one of them doesn't need a bent shaft. If you don't need one, you'll likely only see its cons. I have chronic joint problems - can't run or ride a bike, took two weeks for my right wrist to recover from making a Greenland style paddle (GP) three weeks ago (thumb joint still irritated), always use a keyboard wrist support etc. I certainly can feel the difference between a straight shaft and a bent shaft. There's no way I'll use a straight shaft Euro when sea kayaking. I did use a straight shaft WW paddle a month ago in a downriver event and drifted with the current quite frequently. I was sore at the end of the two hours. Last summer I used a GP for the first six days of a week-long trip. The GP, with a narrower grip position, keeps my wrists straight and is gentle on the joints. On the last day, I pulled the bent shaft off the rear deck and even then I could feel the difference. My advice is based on someone wanting a lower stress approach to paddling. If that isn't you, then the bant shaft has fewer advantages. > paddlers because they tend to pry one hand open on the push side of > your non-feathering hand. I always open my hands on both sides, so I've never noticed such a thing. If you set the feather to the correct angle for your stroke, there's no need to have a control hand. > I also find them limiting for moving my hands further apart or > further to one side of the paddle when I like. That's the most frustrating thing, especially if you've become accustomed to sliding and extended stroke techniques with a GP. You only get a couple of inches range of motion on the bent part of the shaft. However, the drip ring is more of an obstruction when sliding the hand to the root of the blade. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Jun 07 2003 - 09:45:41 PDT
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