Re: [Paddlewise] The Final Authori-tah

John, a Greenland paddle is a completely symmetric paddle (or as
completely symmetric as is possible given the skills of a basement
builder) wielded by a black-suited paddler wearing no PFD, in a skinny
boat, flopping around erracticly no more than 100 feet from shore.

I always paddled with a Euro.  3 years ago, I decided to try a GP for
an entire season.  I was hooked.  Give _any_ paddle an honest chance. 
If you like it, great.  If you don't, it's not really time wasted--you
were out paddling--and now you're a little more informed.

I don't know if they're more efficient, or less efficient than Euro
paddles, but they sure feel comfy to a lot of people.  You should try
every paddle you can get your hands on, GP's, AP's, Euros of all shapes
and sizes, wings, quills, and single-bladed traditional and modern
paddles.  The final authori-tah is your own mind and your own body.  If
you like it, who am I to say what is right or wrong for you?

I use a Euro in whitewater, a Euro or GP in surf, and a GP in my sea
kayak for everything else.  I can say with authori-tah that this is the
perfect combination for exactly one other person: the guy I see when I
shave.

With apologies to Rob Gibbert and Eric Cartman,the final Authori-tah:

*Paddling with a GP is far better than working

*Paddling with a Euro far exceeds picking up doggie bombs in my back
yard

*The Inuit developed technology that worked well for them; their
seal-catching skills far outweigh mine.  My family would starve.

*Slalom kayaking isn't exactly like recreational paddling, but I'm sure
Rebecca Giddens could kick my butt just playing on my local river.

*I'm positive Chris Duff could, too.

*By the end of July, I had already paddled more days than in the
entirety of 2003.  In early August, I hurt my back (bad technique in a
freestyle WW kayak), and I haven't paddled since.  It's far better to
be out in real water, regardless of your equipment choice, than to be
office chair paddling.

Shawn
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