On 2 Nov 2003 at 14:01, Mark Arnold wrote: > Would a storm paddle help me maintain a higher speed into the wind? Possibly. I don't know if I actually end up paddling faster with the storm, but I do paddle a little easier. Part of that is a slight change in technique, which means different muscles are used and the tempo changes, so it feels different and that makes it feel easier. The other part is the upper blade is not in the wind and the paddle becomes a bit easier to handle. The sliding stroke takes getting used to, though. I paddle as fast or faster than most of my paddling companions most of the time, so I have no way to gauge whether I end up faster with the storm. I certainly can sprint faster in rough conditions with the storm paddle that most of my compadres. YMMV. (maybe I should paddle with fast-pokes...) > At what wind speed would you normally switch to a storm paddle? No idea. White-caps usually, but not always, cause me to switch. Because I'm not usually falling behind, I don't have an incentive to switch. I'd say I paddle with the storm more when I'm solo and then under scary (not Doug Lloyd scary, but normal paddler scary) conditions. If you've never used a storm, it's probably worth making one and trying it out. You might prefer it under those conditions even if you don't speed up much. A storm paddle makes an awesome pool rolling paddle too! Small, light and manoeuvrable with nearly the same lift/sculling power as a regular GP. 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 Sun Nov 02 2003 - 14:11:25 PST
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