Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Types

I have a bent shaft AT and a bent shaft Werner Kalliste.  They are very 
different, both excellent,  and I choose one or the other based on whim.  I 
have had the AT for about 10 years and the Kalliste about 2 years.  A 
straight shaft now seems very unnatural to me.  The first two reasons, angle 
of attack and reach make no sense.  I never had any strain on wrists or 
elbows with straight shafts and don't with bent shafts.  The bent shafts are 
more pleasant to paddle with for me.  I would stop thinking and see if you 
like them.  I also vastlly prefer either the AT or the Werner to the bent 
shaft Lendal.

Jerry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James" <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>

>I am asking this sincerely - not just because there have been no serious
> controversies on Paddlewise lately.
>
> What do you folks feel are the advantages of crank shaft kayak paddles?
>
> I'm old and not interested in learning too many new tricks, so I have
> never used one.
>
> The reasons I have been given for them include:
>
>     Better angle of attack for the blade entering the water
>
>     Longer reach
>
>     Less strain on the wrists or elbows or both
>
> I have watched elite paddlers in slalom and sprint racing for many
> years.  There was a time when most slalom paddlers used crooked paddles.
> But now it's not as many.  Never have I seen a sprint racer use one.
>
> My thought is that the Olympic caliber paddlers will do whatever it
> takes to gain an advantage and/or to avoid injury.  If they don't all
> use crankshaft paddles, why should anyone?
>
> I can imagine an argument that says the advantage must be in whitewater
> where all kinds of things need to be done with the blades as opposed to
> sprint where it only a perfect forward stroke and nothing else.  But
> then that would take away the three reasons I listed above because
> sprint racers want a better angle, longer reach and less strain.
>
> I ask not for myself, but because my students (sea kayak) see good
> paddlers using croooked paddles and think they should do the same if
> only to follow the fashion.  No one follows my example, maybe because
> old guys aren't impressive paddlers.  Or maybe it's just me.
>
> Thanks in advance.
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