RE: [Paddlewise] multiple exposure photos of a paddle stro

I wrote (about the multiple exposure videos of kayak strokes):

>A graphic demonstration of why you do not want too long of a paddle blade.
> You'd be using the upper part of the blade to push water forward.
> Essentially
> you'd be working against yourself and wasting your energy pushing water in
> the
> wrong direction if the paddle's actual pivot point is underwater.

Jerry responded:
>>>>>>This assumes the high stroke shown in the photos. At a lower stroke a
longer blade might be superior.<<<<<<<

The only assumption is that the blade is fully immersed. The angle of the
paddle to the water makes very little difference in whether the pivot point
will be underwater. That will be determined much more by the length and shape
of the blade. A blade not fully immersed sucks air in behind it from the
surface and that makes for slippage so that is not the solution for a "too
long" blade either. From studies I've read, having the blade about 2"
underwater makes for the maximum drag. This is probably because a wave is made
above the blade and around that 2" blade depth the wave is the largest
(without sucking air down behind the blade).

A low stroke may be more relaxing for the paddler but because it is further
off the centerline of the kayak it turns the kayak more than a more vertical
stroke so is also less efficient in that respect. Of course, how the human
feels and how the human can get the best leverage and exert the most force
counts as well and argues against a vertical stroke pulled straight back right
next to the kayak.
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