RE: [Paddlewise] Some basic questions for a (re)-beginner

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 20:36:42 +1000
Dave wrote
>I'm using what I would call a fairly vertical
>sort of style (lifting the "dry" paddle high
>in the air and over towards the centreline)
>which seems to give me more thrust from the
>blade in the water, but this is
fairly physical sort of stroke...<

Doug wrote
>I learned to paddle with a longer shaft/overall
>paddle length, big blades, low open-water style.
>Efficient or not, it works fine for me. If and
>when I want, I can revert to a more vertical
>stroke, but can't maintain it indefinitely.


G'Day Dave, Doug and Paddlewise,

That sounded like good advice and useful web references. To add a minor
additional point of view. The vertical stroke doesn't have to be more
wearing. I use a light, short, large blade paddle, with a vertical stroke
applied with much less vigour than for racing. For me this requires
considerably less energy and produces much less muscle stress than a low
angle (open water) stroke. It allows me to sustain many hours on either flat
or open water between about 1m to 2m sea.

Different strokes for different folks (It had to be said:~)

All the best, PeterO


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Received on Thu Jul 31 2003 - 03:46:18 PDT

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