Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rolling Hi Tom, You said, " I'm tall, and I've always had a high angle stroke... and because my GP is long, I tended to have too much of it in the water." --------------- I use long paddles, which I have been told (for a couple of decades) is wrong, wrong, wrong. I am only able to sustain a shade under 5 mph with my old 9 ft euro. blade. I am 6ft 3in. That said, what do you mean by "Long" GP and how tall are you? Whhat means "too much" of the paddle in the water? What is your stroke rate for cruising and what is your cruising speed? Thanks, Chuck Sutherland *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Chuck wrote: >>>>>I use long paddles, which I have been told (for a couple of decades) is wrong, wrong, wrong. I am only able to sustain a shade under 5 mph with my old 9 ft euro. blade. I am 6ft 3in. <<<<< About twenty years ago I suggested that you might do better with something shorter than the 8' or 8' 6" (was it) paddle you were using then. Was I the first, or has it been even more than two decades that you have persisted in this folly? Instead of following my advice you eventually ordered and even longer, 9' paddle, from me, of all people. Was it just to spite my advice that you ordered it from me? Paddling with you in 1984, it was obvious that you could generate a lot of horsepower (even if you were lugging your engine) but I had to think how much faster you could have been by using a paddle in the length range most Olympic flat water competitors might choose (215 to 225cm) 7' 1" to 7' 4.5". So far (I'm on the digest--so not up to date) no one (but me) has nibbled on this troll. If you troll a little deeper by telling us why you think a 9' paddle is the best choice for you, I for one just might take the bait. Matt Broze www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Matt wrote: >If you troll a little deeper by telling us >why you think a 9' paddle is the best choice >for you, I for one just might take the bait. G'Day Matt and Paddlewise, There are at least three serious downsides to using a shorter paddle. 1. You don't get enough exercise with a short paddle 2. A nine foot paddle does not tempt one into the antisocial practice of storing in the car to keep it out of the rain. 3. A nine foot paddle is better value for money - more paddle per dollar On a more controversial note:~) I know that modern practice including my own is to use a short paddle with a vertical racing stroke and yet some sea kayakers using a low angle stroke and long paddle do seem to get along quite quickly. Is it possible that a short but more forceful low angle stroke takes advantage of the mechanical advantage of the long paddle. I say short because then presumably the paddle blade is working parallel to the boat and the blade might travel through the water faster than with a shorter paddle. Having said this I would find it a very uncomfortable stroke, but maybe it would suit some people with limited movement or flexibility. Perhaps it could be also useful with a boat that requires the extra stability that a long paddle might bring in rough water. I could go on but will spare you further argument! All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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