> Paddle lengths have been decreasing, but people are still buying them too > long. I paddle with a 230 cm, 65 degree feather Sawyer Sea Feather. For those not familar this is a wooden paddle with a long asymetrical blade. I have paddled shorter paddles and always come back to the longer lengths (sometimes I use a 240cm) Here is why. After several thousands miles of paddling I have developed a very effficent stroke. (On a trip with Ed Gillet I ask him, to critique my style and he verified that I had a good stroke) When I paddle I push with my top arm and sholders as much or more than I pull with my bottom arm. With a paddle 230 -240 cm in length at the end of the stroke my top arm is extended and my hand is slightly below eye level and the blade is at a 45 degree angle as I begin to pull it out of the water. With a paddle shorter than 230 cm when I push with my top arm and rotate my shoulder my top hand has to drop down significantly otherwise the blade goes beyond 45 degrees and at that point all I am doing is to "lift water". The problem with droping my hand is that I lose power as I do. Try doing a push up with your hands at your waist rather than your shoulders to see my point. Also with the longer paddle my blade enters the water in front of me and I pull it out just behind my waist. I have seen people with shorter paddles and without an going to an extreme effort they tend to put their paddle in at their waist and pull them out well behind their hips. As far as my choice of a wooden paddle, I paddle year round here in Alaska and wooden paddles are warmer on the hands. Also for me the wooden paddles have a softer feel which on long trips is more careful. I have not had the opportunity to try a greenland style paddle and looking at them I wonder how well you can brace with one. Especially on a surf landing where broached on a wave you need a paddle that can hold a brace for a long time while being tossed about quite a bit. Just my thoughts Bob *************************************************************************** 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 Sep 04 2004 - 12:53:44 PDT
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