Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Types

I've paddled with Lendal modified cranks over the years for sea kayaking. I like them. That said, since I've always used a one piece whitewater paddle with a straight shaft I've pretty much reverted back to just a straight shaft. I'm currently experimenting with a 205 cm straight shaft, vari-lok set at 45 degrees. I hate switching feather more than length or shaft design and the length feels good in the higher volume river boat as well as tooling around in the sea. But the jury is still out and not expected back for months. Will let you know.

Cheers,

Rob G


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
To: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
Cc: paddlewise <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 5:52 pm
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Types



On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 6:27 AM, James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm> wrote:

>
> What do you folks feel are the advantages of crank shaft kayak paddles?


Well, first of all, white water paddling, sprint racing, and sea kayaking
all ask different things from a paddle. I don't do much white water any more
but I don't remember actually paddlling much when on a river. I do remember
drifting along a lot between rapids.

So much of this is subjective but I'm with Steve Cramer in that bent-shaft
paddles just feel weird to me, too. My wife paddles with one and so does Pam
but only Pam actually went out and got one on purpose (my wife's came with a
second hand Solander she bought). I've used both of their paddles and I just
prefer my straight-shaft Euros.

I usually paddle with a high-angle, large blade Euro that's something less
than 220cm in length. Probably because I'm comfortable with shorter paddles
from w/w and I don't like change any more than anyone else. An old guy here,
too, remember.

I also paddle with a straight shaft wing paddle. Your students probably
haven't noticed that most people paddling fast are now using wings (I lust
after an Onno, myself) and virtually none of those are bent-shaft paddles. I
wasn't too old to try that, at least, and I really like my wing. In a group
it actually saves my joints because I don't have to paddle much to keep up
with (or ahead of) the group.


>  No one follows my example, maybe because
> old guys aren't impressive paddlers.  Or maybe it's just me.
>

Ya, no one listens to us until it's too late. I've been in two real estate
busts in my lifetime (Miami in the 60s and Seattle in the 70s) and people
wonder why I say that real estate doesn't always go up. Oh wait, they don't
wonder *now* but a year ago they thought I was crazy when I said that.

I'm reminded of the drill rig superintendent who held up his hand and yelled
at me, "I tol' you 5 times not to do that!"   He only had 3 fingers on that
hand. That's when I knew that experience counts for something.

One thing we've d
one is have a "paddle fest" where everyone brings every
paddle they own, marks it to identify it later, and then puts it in a pile
so anyone in the group can use it. You might find that there are lots of
choices among your friends' paddles and your students could take advantage
of actually paddling with the different paddles. As opposed to someone just
telling them what they should buy. For $400. Line up all your most
experienced paddlers, crankshaft or not, and let the newbies quiz them on
why they do what they do. And remember that no law says you have to only own
one paddle. I bet I have a dozen.

Looking at a bent-shaft paddle and thinking through the ergonomics, it just
seems to me that the extra torque from the paddle at the end of the bent
shaft would be more likely to translate into a rotation of the shaft which
would be stopped by one's hands. That and the slight extra twist to brace.
Not to mention those itty bitty blades on most of them.

For what it's worth, virtually every expert paddler I know uses a straight
shaft, high-angle paddle. Unless they use a GP. (Duane Strosaker and several
CKF'ers being prominent exceptions.) I'm going to get some cedar and build a
GP or two this fall myself.

So now we'll hear from the expert paddlers who don't use a straight shaft,
high-angle paddle telling me I'm wrong, huh?  <grin>

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/
***************************************************************************