RE: [Paddlewise] Paddle length

From: MATT MARINER BROZE <marinerkayaks_at_msn.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:30:41 -0700
Paul wrote:


>>>>...My understanding (from the museums and the books) is that the Inuit who
were most concerned with speed were those from the big mid-arctic river
deltas. They chased caribou swimming at 6 knots and had to catch up as
well....<<<<<


I'd be very skeptical of a land animal making that kind of speed in the water.
It is barely possible with human paddle power and a sleek hull for support out
of the water and with a paddle that moves forward in the air (rather than
hooves moving forward for the next power stroke underwater). I haven't
researched this (except for polar bears) but I just can't see it. Maybe 3
knots I could believe.
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Received on Fri Jul 17 2009 - 21:30:48 PDT

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