I was watching a Globetrekker episode set in Prince William Sound (Alaska). The guide mentioned that the sign of an "efficient" paddle is no drips on the spray skirt. I'm not so sure this is even close to right. If there are no drips on your spray skirt it's probably a sign of a low angle paddle stroke. But it got me to thinking. What *is* the sign of an efficient paddle stroke? No noise? No splash? Maximum forward movement? I'm not talking about body ergonomics here but just the simple paddle stroke all by itself. This should be interesting. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Jul 7, 2009, at 2:11 PM, Craig Jungers wrote: > What *is* the sign of an efficient paddle stroke? > Crop circles. Crop circles indeed. Jim et al *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
You mean like this one? http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpylka/3690778720/ Joe P. -----Original Message----- >From: James Farrelly <JFarrelly5_at_comcast.net> >On Jul 7, 2009, at 2:11 PM, Craig Jungers wrote: >> What *is* the sign of an efficient paddle stroke? >> >Crop circles. Crop circles indeed. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:11:30 -0700, "Craig Jungers" <crjungers_at_gmail.com> said: > But it got me to thinking. What *is* the sign of an efficient paddle > stroke? > No noise? No splash? Maximum forward movement? I'm not talking about body > ergonomics here but just the simple paddle stroke all by itself. > > This should be interesting. I would go with the maximum forward movement per unit of energy expended. My personal stroke check is "if you can hear a sucking sound from your paddle stroke your paddle stroke sucks...." As a high cadence, vertical stroke, wing paddle user I have to wear a hat from all the drips that end up on my head, which would otherwise be covering my sunglasses, if I used a spray skirt it would definitely be damp.... -- Kirk Olsen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> But it got me to thinking. What *is* the sign of an efficient paddle > stroke? > No noise? No splash? Maximum forward movement? I'm not talking about body > ergonomics here but just the simple paddle stroke all by itself. > > **************************************************** not that I have any real knowledge on the topic, but I do have a thought. When on calm waters I try to paddle quietly, entry and exit. The exit seem particularly hard, recently I have started to occasionally feel the drag on the paddle if I don't get it right. it feels as if I am lifting the water. This was very noticeable with a paddle I was forced to use last week that was very long and not suited to the high angle I usually use. OTOH, sometime back I got a how to paddle lesson from a champion surfski paddler. I was shocked at the noise and speed, as well as the height of the water he threw up behind him, quite the rooster tail. Does speed equal noise and splash? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:35 PM, Mike Euritt <mike.euritt_at_gmail.com> wrote: > > > OTOH, sometime back I got a how to paddle lesson from a champion surfski > paddler. I was shocked at the noise and speed, as well as the height of the > water he threw up behind him, quite the rooster tail. Does speed equal > noise > and splash? > > Maybe the "conventional wisdom" has it all wrong. It's easy to confuse elegance with efficiency. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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