Matt wrote: > 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. It seems to me that there are three places where energy is lost: interaction between paddle blade and water, the paddlers body, and energy to overcome boat drag. The energy required at a given speed to overcome drag is what it is, and nothing can be done except getting a lower drag boat. I suspect that energy lost due to inefficiency in the stroke much exceeds energy lost at the blade/water interface. I believe, for example, that the efficiency gained from a wing paddle accrues due to stroke geometry and the resulting body's efficiency in max energy extraction from torso rotation, and only secondarily from the paddle's grip on the water. For long distance cruising much energy can be used up just raising arms each stroke. From trying different length paddles with an easy turning boat (Mariner Express) I concluded that losses due to turning effect of a longer paddle are negligible. I don't agree that the 'best leverage and exert the most force counts as well' is the relevant point. It take a certain power level, not force, to drive the boat at a given speed. Each paddler will have a power level determined by force, leverage and cadence that is most efficient for him, i.e., that uses the least power at the given speed. Jerry *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri May 01 2009 - 11:52:11 PDT
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