Re: [Paddlewise] Andrew McAuley -> Wing Paddle

>I notice Andrew was using a wing paddle. Anyone feel there is any
>advantage to the wing in this sort of trip. I doubt he was going very
>fast and maintaining a really good wing technique day-in-day-out
>seems a little unlikely. Any thoughts?

Hi Nick.

Here's a small excerpt from one of the NSW lads found at:



http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/magazine/57/skegs.htm

Exceprt:
"I did a trip with Andrew McAuley two years ago and have seen him in action 
many times since. He uses a wing or propeller paddle. I have watched him and 
others using wing paddles and the benefits of it have played on my mind. I 
wanted to give a paddle a go and was quite lucky to borrow one from Rob 
Mercer (Thanks Rob!). Since then I have picked it up and tried it, thrown it 
away saying, "definitely not for sea kayaking" and finally given it a fair 
dinkum go. It was not until I had paddled with it for some time that I 
became convinced of the advantages of using a wing paddle on the sea. I took 
the 'wing' on a 90km training paddle in preparation for my Bass Strait 
crossing and learnt the technique required to get the best out of it. Easier 
to use than a straight paddle and efficient through the water, it was to my 
liking and, from that moment, I was a convert. Now I won't use a "straight" 
paddle, even if you pay me."

Looks like some of these guys down under like them for the long haul. Too 
bad Andrew couldn't have shaved just one more day off his crossing attempt..

Doug Lloyd
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