Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle cross sections

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 17:27:38 -0500
On Dec 5, 2007, at 11:43 AM, Turner Wilson wrote:
>
> And you can use the blade with a modified stroke that you would  
> understand as wing stroke with the blade flipped over to the other  
> edge, with the stroke away from the kayak. I have never seen  
> Greenlanders use this stroke, but I have experimented with it and  
> it works. It is a lot of work however. You better have a good engine.


I know that some people do use a wind stroke with a GP. I've tried it  
and I agree that it requires a better engine.

Unfortunately, it is the nature of efficiency that it feels harder.  
It takes a better engine because more of your effort goes towards  
moving the boat forward. Most people could probably paddle all day if  
they just dip their finger in the water, but most of the effort would  
go into stirring the water, not much would go to moving the boat.

A less efficient paddle generates less force because your paddle is  
following the path of least resistance and moving water around. It  
moves a little bit of water fairly fast. The water is easy to move  
but doesn't contribute as much as it could to moving forward. If you  
grab ahold of more water and don't moving it as fast it will feel  
harder. Efficiency feels harder because you are putting more of the  
effort goes into making the boat go faster, and the faster you make  
the boat go, the more drag you need to overcome. You start to get  
farther into the inefficiency of the boat. Going faster takes a  
better engine.

Nick




Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Wed Dec 05 2007 - 14:27:47 PST

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