Re: [Paddlewise] Long-short; euro-GP; fast-slow

At 01:55 PM 9/5/2004 -0400, Michael Daly wrote:
>On 5 Sep 2004 at 12:53, skimmer_at_enter.net wrote:
>
> > Were those speeds determined on still water in both directions on a
> > course of known length?
>
>I never get that technical when paddling.  All I know is that the two
>of us that use both GPs and Euros in our regular paddling group can
>switch back and forth without having any problem keeping up with
>those who only use Euros.
>
>One thing about cadence, though:  I've mentioned this before and have
>asked about it - my cadence is not any different when using the two
>paddle types.  As well, when I match my cadence using a GP to others
>using Euros, I go the same speed as they do.  I seriously question
>the claim that using a GP means a higher cadence.  I also wonder if
>those with higher cadences are using a different technique than I.
>
>One very definite difference is in accelleration.  When I use a GP,
>the Euro leaves me behind.  Once up to speed, I have no problem
>keeping up.  This was clearly demonstrated to me in a race this
>spring.  We had to paddle backwards for about 100m and then paddle
>forwards back to the start line.  I led a friend by a constant amount
>in the backwards leg.  I hit the line first and immediately started
>powering forward.  He arrived a couple of seconds later and, using
>his Euro, turned it on.  By the time I was at maximum forward speed,
>he had made up the gap between us and moved a kayak length ahead.  I
>matched his speed to the finish.  If I had his accelleration to
>change direction, I'd have beat him.

I was out yesterday playing around with cadence with my GP.   I found that 
once I was at cruising speed that my cadence wasn't much different than 
when I use my euro paddle.  When at cruising speed I'm not trying to 
generate a lot of power with each stroke but just paddling hard enough to 
maintain speed and an easy cadence with a GP seems plenty sufficient to do so.

I also find that reverse paddling with a GP gives me plenty of speed.

For generating power during acceleration starting with a few sliding 
strokes seems to get the boat moving and also really slows down the cadence.

I also got a chance to paddle in one of Tom Yost designs yesterday.  A 
local just finished building it and doesn't have much paddling experience 
so I was showing him a few things with a GP.  When we were going over 
bracing I kept on trying to get him to do a more vigorous hip snap and he 
just didn't seem to be getting it.   When I paddled his boat I discovered 
that the boat just doesn't snap up as easy as my Outer Island.  Part of the 
problem was that the "skin" on the foredeck isn't real tight so water would 
pile up on the deck when the boat was edged.  It felt very different from 
my boat.   I haven't paddled folding boats much so it took quite awhile to 
get used to the flex in the hull.
John Fereira
jaf30_at_cornell.edu
Ithaca, NY
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