Re: [Paddlewise] efficient stroke

Craig Jungers wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 6:53 AM, Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote:
> 
>> Plus, I have a cute way of getting off [snicker].
>>
>>
> Uh oh... I can see the deterioration in *this* thread is not far off. :P
> 
> It's easy to confuse paddling styles with paddle stroke. It's only sensible
> that rotating the upper body helps. What I guess I was trying to get at was;
> is there a sign of an efficient paddle stroke? And if there is, what is it?
> I know it's not a lack of paddle drips on the spray deck. My wing paddle
> throws a *lot* of water but is the fastest thing I've ever paddled with. If
> I try to stop throwing water off the back then it slows down... so I stopped
> trying. It also makes a distinctive "plop" sound when I have the catch just
> right. But this is paddle-specific. Is a quieter paddle stroke more
> efficient? One that doesn't throw water?
> 
> Jim Tibensky's remarks about moving the paddle away from the boat at the end
> of the stroke also seems (to me) to be faster. In fact I find myself
> levering down on the shaft of my standard euros some to get more speed. Much
> like a modified wing stroke. But I try to keep my catch vertical.
> 
> I'm in the throes of Tour de France fever right now so I might not be
> totally comprehensible for another 2-1/2 weeks. Yesterday's team trials were
> so incredible that I had to breathe into a paper bag for 30 minutes
> afterwards. :P

I didn't have to do the paper bag trick, but I was getting pretty 
excited at the end of yesterday's stage (the TTT) and was quite 
obviously hoping that Lance was going to get the maillot jaune.

Nothing gets done around here until the morning's coverage of the Tour 
is done. (I do at least make myself a coffee, but then it's me in my 
housecoat sitting in front of the telly until the stage is over. I 
usually miss the presentations because I have to pee so bad by that time.)

> 
> Chris Cunningham of Sea Kayaker Magazine has some questions about the size
> of a sea kayak and whether old notions are still relevant. Link is at:
> 
> http://www.seakayakermag.com/2009/09e-newsletters/july/sizingup.htm
>

I'm not quite as convinced about the *length* of the boat as I am 
about the volume. I have tall friends with high volume boats who have 
a bitch of a time trying to turn in higher winds. It's partially a 
foot size issue, that requires them to move into a high volume boat; 
but I think it's often a thigh length issue. Their thighs are too long 
to allow them to get into a 'normal' keyhole cockpit unless the height 
of the front deck is raised to give them a better angle at getting 
their legs in. A lower front deck combined with a longer cockpit might 
be an answer, but no one seems to be making such a beast.

I can see that an 'average' person (of average strength and average 
kayaking skills) would have difficulties with a longer boat in adverse 
conditions. A shorter boat is just that much easier to manoeuvre -- 
for most people.

But, unless you have the space, and the cash, to own several boats, 
most of us go with one or two compromise boats: space for enough gear 
for multi-day trips, good in big water, good on flatwater, decent 
tracking, but decent turning too.... Length is pretty low on the 
priorities list (in my experience.)

-- 
   Darryl


> It seems like good fodder for this group.
> 
> 
> Craig Jungers
> Moses Lake, WA
> www.nwkayaking.net
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