Re: [Paddlewise] Questions, Have Such Tests Been Conducted By An Objective Group?

From: Peter Cragg <critters_at_houston.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 10:48:43 -0500
> Did you wonder  if you really 
>produced the same effort in each test, or if the water  temperature, waves, 
>current, and wind remained the same for every test, or  if the aesthetics of 
>the paddles influenced you, or if the sizes of the  paddle blades and shafts 
>were the same or if you used the proper stroke  mechanics with each one?
>
I paddle a Dagger Cortez (less than 22 inches wide) on Lake Woodlands.  
I do 1 to 2 laps.  That is 4 miles each lap.  I use three paddles:

Mitchell Greenland paddle, 220 cm
Werner Kuahui, 220 cm, two piece, big spoon touring paddle.
Waterstick Zen, carbon fiber, bigger spoon, shorter 200 cm, white water 
paddle

Times
Mitchell Greenland    48 to 53 minutes
Werner Kuahui,         48 to 53 minutes
Waterstick Zen         52 to 57 minutes.

That is averaged across calm, north, south and cross winds, calm water 
to considerable waves.

The waterstick zen is much better (bigger spoon paddle) at acceleration 
and turning but is is not optimum for cruising speed -- it is too 
short.  I use the the zen because it forces me to use a better stroke.  
Straighter arms and more torso rotation.

Safe Paddling

-- 
Pete Cragg, DVM
Troop 889, Former Scoutmaster
ACA Instructor, Basic Kayaking, Intro to River Paddling
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Received on Sat Sep 11 2004 - 12:09:41 PDT

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