Re: [Paddlewise] Serious Paddle Length Advice?

In recent tests I've made paddling my Carbon/Kevlar QCC 700, I observed 
the following:

Conditions:

1. Flatwater lake
2. Light Winds

Paddles Tested:

1. Mitchell 200 cm Sea Blade, one piece, 60 deg. feather.
2. Mitchell 215 cm Black Magic, one piece, 60 deg. feather

Measuring Equipment:

SpeedMate II

Results:

1: Padding speed held between 4.8 and 5.0 mph.
2: Mitchell Sea Blade required 640 strokes per mile
3. Mitchell Black Magic required 600 strokes per mile.

Notes:

1. When I began paddling (about 4 years ago) I used about 1,000 strokes 
per mile in boats having a little more drag obviously.

2. After buying the QCC 700 and the Brent Reitz "Forward Stroke Clinic" 
video and spending lots of time working on my forward stroke, I decreased 
the strokes per mile to 750.

3. After buying my Futura Inferno Surfski and working even harder on the 
forward stroke, I've achieved the results above.

4. My paddling habits include paddling between 100 and 120 miles per 
month with the average workout being 8 to 12 miles.

5. Estimate of honest, long distance, cruise speeds for the three hulls I 
paddle:

VCP Avocet - 4 mph
QCC 700 - 5 mph
Futura Inferno - 6 mph

Pushing beyond these speeds with no tailwind decreases the number of 
miles I enjoy the work.  For instance, in no wind I do a 16 mile, non-
stop, workout on the surfski averaging 6 mph.  On that same course 
holding a speed of 6.5 to 7.0 mph would put me on the borderline of an 
aerobic condition (something I reserve for racing.)

6. The shorter length and larger blade surface of the Black Magic has 
forced me into a more vertical stroke and I've noticed I tend to use more 
upper arm push with the Black Magic than with the Sea Blade.

7. I have not tested my Epic mid sized all carbon wing paddle against the 
two paddles mentioned above.  I use the wing for racing and since I love 
to roll a lot, the Euro blades are more fun.  I guess I'll have to break 
out the wing and measure the strokes per mile.

8.  I've also noticed that when paddling against a head wind I seem to 
get a little better speed by submerging the paddle blade an inch or two 
deeper and use a slower stroke.  Maybe the surface water is moving 
downwind and by "digging in deeper" I get down to more non-moving water. 
This is just a theory.

9. Also, not having tight thigh pads in the QCC 700 and actually sliding 
my hips forward and back with the torso rotation has added to the 
efficiency of the forward stroke and gives me higher speed by about 0.2 
mph than by using only torso rotation.

I don't know if any of this helps and if it is only in my mind, I enjoy 
being able to clip off a mile with about 300 to 400 less strokes than 
when I picked up my first kayak paddle.

Ed DeBee
Austin, TX
http://users3.ev1.net/~edebee/

> Howdy Fellow Paddlers:
> 
> I'm aware that there are only general guidelines for paddle length. By now
> I've been paddling for four years with a paddle that is 218 centimeters
> long (Lendal Archipelago, modified crank shaft, 45 degree feather; I
> paddle an NDK Explorer, and think I tend to have a rather high stroke,
> with top arm pushing at about eye-level; I am generally considered a slow
> paddler, although my club is one of the fastest in the world, believe
> me...).  This paddle was with a variable joint, so I was able to
> experiment with lengths that were longer as well.
> 
> I became very comfortable with the length of 218 and 1/2 (although I have
> not tried shorter ones).  Now, as we all know, the fashion has been
> towards shorter paddles, with a lot of paddlers using 212-216.  My
> teachers here have been encouraging me to go down to this length range,
> but I have my doubts.  First, I have a very short torso, and I think the
> longer paddle is better for me.  At 218, with my arm over my head, my
> middle finger extends to about 2 inches past the paddle.  I am 5' 7.5"
> tall.
> 
> On the other hand, maybe a shorter paddle would increase my speed...
> 
> I feel like I'm asking for a diagnosis from a group of top-flight
> physicians!  Are there any instructors or experienced paddlers out there
> who would like to offer me some advice on the correct paddle length?
> 
> See you on the water!
> 
> Josh
> (In Israel, where the Med. is still 29 degrees [centigrade, that is])
> 
> 
> 
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