RE: [Paddlewise] Paddle length

> skeptical of a land animal making that kind of speed in the water

Matt - this is clearly an issue where we need some first-hand research and
I'm at a disadvantage - I have no caribou or reindeer within 12,000 km.

My old 'land animal' friend Dave used to be able to cover 1500m in 15
minutes - and he was acknowledged as being quick - so the Caribou would have
to be nearly twice that fast. Of course Dave would not have caught a Caribou
on land either and he never swam with an Inuit with a lance on his tail.
Would have added some spice to the pool workouts.

The reports of caribou speed are well entrenched however - as a google will
show.

Perhaps this 6 knot business falls into the same 'traveller tales' category
as the esteemed first-generation baidarka that was reputed to do amazing
speeds - that we can't match.

I welcome alternative explanations (to a desire for sheer speed) for the
design of these early kayaks. When we look around at our various types of
kayak, great length occurs only where we want great speed. Add to that the
delta Inuit's unusual habit of hunting prey that could be chased down (ie:
couldn't escape by diving) and it's an easy connection. Perhaps too easy ? 

I still think that long skinny paddles were used as a means to greater speed
- where there was no penalty for sea state, brash ice, or rocky
shorelines... 

Compromises, always compromises ! 
 
Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
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