I agree with Jim 100%. That stuff about the Scandanavians is most interesting and describes my stroke in large measure. I have practiced my stroke for about 30 years. I have a stroke rate of about 40 strokes/minute at 4+ knots. When I am "in shape", I can do that all day long. Chuck Sutherland *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jim's comments about adapting your stroke to your own physiognomy is spot on. That said, the type of paddle you have also affects which style is most efficient. Times I have used Becky's paddle (designed for higher angle stroking), I have achieved higher hull speed, but I also was getting tired faster. The original poster asked for _efficiency_ in paddling, not speed. For that, I have to go with the angle and style the paddle was designed for. Twisting a low-angle-style paddle into high angle is not as efficient as using it low-angle style. Yes, I can go faster if I force it into high angle style, but I think it is less efficient that way. A good rhythm with good torso rotation is key for the most efficient style, for me. When I had joints and tendons which could take the abuse, a longer paddle was also more efficient. Nowadays my stick is shorter, and my cadence is much higher, so I use what I got. Plus, I have a cute way of getting off [snicker]. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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 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 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 It seems like good fodder for this group. 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/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Most efficient stroke? That would be when I am coaching a 40' dragon boat crew, for the canoe goes very fast, but I do not have to expend any more energy than when I sit in the office and talk on the telephone. *************************************************************************** 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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