Paddlewisers, I just finished Rob's safety article in SK. I really thought it was a good read--probably the best safety article I've read. It interested me and I felt I could learn from it, because it was about things happening to experienced sea kayakers. I felt the same way about Doug Lloyd's two personal safety articles from years past. Although it is important to also have safety articles about things happening to inexperienced kayakers, I can't relate to them and find them less interesting. In regards to the incident with Rob's group, I think a good general rule is that once someone has capsized twice, they are pretty much done, and a rafted tow should be started. It must be nice being Rob and having so many skilled sea kayakers to paddle with, including his wife. My only gripe about the article was the dig on the Greenland paddle not having enough bite for towing a rescue. Granted, it was a statement about another paddler's thought and reason for adding another tow to the rescue. I just have to say, don't blame the paddle! Duane Southern California www.rollordrown.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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane and all, I'm with you in regards to not blaming the paddle or equipment. That observation made it into the story, but it was not mine. Although I know what I prefer to keep a rafted tow off the rocks, if one can do it with a Greenland paddle or hand paddles, more power to you.?That is something that needs to be practiced, however and use the most effective stroke that can be used. Cheers, Rob G >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My only gripe about the article was the dig on the Greenland paddle not having enough bite for towing a rescue. Granted, it was a statement about another paddler's thought and reason for adding another tow to the rescue. I just have to say, don't blame the paddle! -----Original Message----- From: Duane Strosaker <strosaker_at_yahoo.com> To: Paddlewise <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 8:18 pm Subject: [Paddlewise] Rob's Article Paddlewisers, I just finished Rob's safety article in SK. I really thought it was a good read--probably the best safety article I've read. It interested me and I felt I could learn from it, because it was about things happening to experienced sea kayakers. I felt the same way about Doug Lloyd's two personal safety articles from years past. Although it is important to also have safety articles about things happening to inexperienced kayakers, I can't relate to them and find them less interesting. In regards to the incident with Rob's group, I think a good general rule is that once someone has capsized twice, they are pretty much done, and a rafted tow should be started. It must be nice being Rob and having so many skilled sea kayakers to paddle with, including his wife. My only gripe about the article was the dig on the Greenland paddle not having enough bite for towing a rescue. Granted, it was a statement about another paddler's thought and reason for adding another tow to the rescue. I just have to say, don't blame the paddle! Duane Southern California www.rollordrown.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/ ***************************************************************************
I had a chance to use some Greenland paddles this weekend (I was with four other paddlers, all with Greenland sticks, me with my "snow shovel" as one fella put it). The wooden one had nice shaft index points at about twenty inches apart which really fit my hands with an ergonomic feature (finger/thumb around the shaft, then the palm of each hand rests on the widening blade area. I also tried the Superior carbon paddle, which fluttered a bit more in the water but was a joy to paddle as it was almost weightless. Once I started angling in the blades each stroke, the flutter went away. When I went back to my big Euro lendal paddle, it felt weird and fluttery and not natural anymore. My shoulders then started to protest a bit again once back to the Euro, though I could see the lack of a crank shaft might be harder on the wrists if a Euro-crank is what has worked for you best). The Greenland paddles were an awesome new experience for me. I'd heard such awful things about them from BCU/CRCA instructors. I was able to sprint just as fast with them though I'd have to increase my cadence to equal the extra dig of a Euroblade when trying to overtake a fast paddler. I could also see how the Greenland paddle would be a little less fast for initial take off speed (acceleration). If I were to go Greenland, I'd want something light for a better, faster, effortless spin. The Greenland paddles had a lot of buoyancy so in rougher water there was good support and they were great for resting with the paddle acting almost like a paddlefloat out perpendicular. And the amount of leverage when fully extended for turning, etc., was amazing. Bow rudder turns were just as effective, which was weird given how low the surface area is compared to a Euro paddle balde - and easier and steadier on the shoulders with no shaft jerking. As for towing or holding someone in a raft off a lee shore I can't estimate how well a Greenland paddle would do. You'd certainly want someone with a wealth of experience using one in a situation like that to my way of thinking (haven't read the article yet, so don't know the specific issues). I'll definitely be more keen to get into a Greenland paddle now, when I free up some time or money. Doug Lloyd > Duane and all, > > I'm with you in regards to not blaming the paddle or equipment. That > observation made it into the story, but it was not mine. Although I know > what I prefer to keep a rafted tow off the rocks, if one can do it with a > Greenland paddle or hand paddles, more power to you.?That is something > that needs to be practiced, however and use the most effective stroke that > can be used. > > Cheers, > > Rob G > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > > My only gripe about the article was the dig on the Greenland paddle not > having > enough bite for towing a rescue. Granted, it was a statement about another > paddler's thought and reason for adding another tow to the rescue. I just > have > to say, don't blame the paddle! *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Heck, you can have a GP for the cost of a two by four! I do prefer the Superior model for its lightness and buoyancy. I can't wait to see Duane's hand made job! Mark -----Original Message----- I'll definitely be more keen to get into a Greenland paddle now, when I free up some time or money. Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Jun 30, 2008, at 5:30 PM, Doug Lloyd wrote: > The Greenland paddles had a lot of buoyancy so in rougher water > there was good support and they were great for resting with the > paddle acting almost like a paddlefloat out perpendicular. And the > amount of leverage when fully extended for turning, etc., was > amazing. Bow rudder turns were just as effective, which was weird > given how low the surface area is compared to a Euro paddle balde - > and easier and steadier on the shoulders with no shaft jerking. I just finished my best effort at a GP. It is my favorite paddle that I own because it has a consistent smooth stroke from beginning to end. The first time I went out with it I noticed it didn't have much flex, so I took it back home and spokeshaved about 15-20% more wood off of the blades. It is just about perfect for me now. It's nice to be able to tune up a paddle in that way. http://picasaweb.google.com/kayakster/HandMade/photo#5214509706144829378 I made one from a 2x6 pine cut down to a 2x4. Worst paddle I ever had. Too heavy, and it warped beyond repair. Paul Montgomery paul_at_paddleandoar.com http://paddleandoar.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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 7:44 PM, Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote: > > I just finished my best effort at a GP. What a beautiful piece of work, Paul. I'm jealous. What were the woods you used for it? Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Jun 30, 2008, at 8:10 PM, Craig Jungers wrote: > On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 7:44 PM, Paul Montgomery > <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote: > > I just finished my best effort at a GP. > > What a beautiful piece of work, Paul. I'm jealous. What were the > woods you used for it? > > Craig Jungers > Moses Lake, WA > Thanks Craig. It is all from WRC. Mostly from one board that was ripped up. When I make my next one I will take some photos. Instead of clamps I am using a fire hose with the ends clamped off and a valve stem attached to it. I wrap the hose around the sticks of wood and inflate it with an air compressor. Seems to work very well, and I didn't have to buy another $100 worth of clamps. The hose and valve stem were both free. Paul Montgomery paul_at_paddleandoar.com http://paddleandoar.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/ ***************************************************************************
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