[Paddlewise] efficient strokes

........and I forgot to add, at least 60 strokes per minute!

A few decades back, a group of us were paddling on a day trip in 
Frenchman Bay off Ba' Haba' (Down east, where they have real 
scenery). One of our group members was a somewhat new 
paddler, but built like a linebacker-- a powerful fellow. After some 
miles, we began to wear him out. His comment was something to 
the effect, "how come I'm getting worn out, and you guys don't 
seem to be doing anything!" By today's only racing stroke 
standards, I guess we just didn't know what we were doing.

On another day, the same paddler had a great vertical stroke 
exactly amid-ships just as a small wave hit him on the opposit side 
of his boat giving him a sudden sideways shove. We did a rescue 
with him after he blew two attempts at rolling (broke a thigh brace 
and part of his backrest). Too much power--not so much skill. Boat 
tripped over the vertical paddle-- instant face plant- very efficient.

Chuck Sutherland
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