In a message dated 10/31/2007 12:51:38 PM Pacific Daylight Time, cholst_at_bitstream.net writes: The other factor I had in mind, apart from leverage, is momentum: It is easier to change the direction of a shorter, lighter paddle than a longer, heavier paddle -- say, when you need to make a quick brace. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have no idea what length paddle Chuck uses but I'm sure if he likes it, I like it. I'm receptive to shorter paddles as I do not race, though interestingly enough, the Epic paddle wizard suggested a 216 cm for me if I was into racing, otherwise a 214cm for touring. Werner's wizard suggested 205 to 210 for touring. What I like about the shorter lengths are the ease of tighter strokes, verticality and faster application of power strokes and bracing. An interesting observation was made at the Skookumchuck tidal race by not just me, but several friends in that most of us appreciated the shorter white water blades in that environment. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with my 210 cm. In Eric Jackson's basic river running DVD he talks about whitewater paddles and suggests 200 cm for a responsive paddle yet enough lever arm for meaningful braces and rolls. The trend in whitewater is to go shorter, in the 194 cm range. I was privelaged to paddle for 2 weeks on a river trip with 2 world champion slalom paddlers and 1 surf champ, several more who were members of their national team. They all brought their own ideas as to what the perfect paddle was for them, but in general, they were between 194 cm and 200cm and feathering from 30-90 degrees. The reason I'm contrasting the 2 disciplines is that whatever one era uses, the sport moves on. When I started sea paddling the standard answer was 230-240 cm, otherwise you are wrong. I was lucky enough to pawn those babies off to unsuspecting schlepps and move on, although I still have one of those 230's. There are things going on in sea kayaking and whitewater paddling that weren't going on not too long ago. As the old saying goes, the one that I just made up a second ago, give a kid a toy and see what he does with it, he'll be back to teach you how to use it. Since I have the Lendal system I will likely buy a shaft that will make my paddle around 205 cm and stay with that for the sea and the river. Cheers, Rob G ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Oct 31 2007 - 13:59:24 PDT
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