Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle length

Hi  Craig,
 
I adopted a GP a few years to help combat some joint issues (mostly brought 
 about by gripping too hard).  I've built probably a dozen of them so far,  
playing around with the geometry trying to get the best balance of weight 
to  strength while reducing flutter.  
 
The design I'm currently most in love with is based on Wolfgang Brincks  
"bent shaft Greenland" design
_http://www.wolfgangbrinck.com/boats/paddles/greenbent.html_ 
(http://www.wolfgangbrinck.com/boats/paddles/greenbent.html) 
I've been making my own based on the description I got from his website and 
 I must say the design works very well.  It might work even better if it 
was  built by a professional.
 
I really like the GP paddle.  It's amazing in the wind, easy on the  joints 
and fun to use (and make).  If you are looking for pure  acceleration, work 
on mastering the sliding stroke, where the paddle  is hiked out on 
alternate sides.  You can move pretty quickly if you get  good at it.  About the 
only thing I don't like about the GP is the amount  of water that it dumps in 
my lap and runs over my poor freezing thumbs.   It's a problem in the colder 
weather...I end up having to wear gloves sooner  than I like.  Recently, 
I've taken to switching to a Euro paddle with  cut-down blade area for the cold 
season.
 
East Coast Mark
**************Snoop, Lil Wayne, Lady GaGa -- land the tix you need for this 
summer's biggest tours. Tourtracker.com 
(http://www.tourtracker.com/?ncid=emlcntusmusi00000007)
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