RE: [Paddlewise] Wing paddle and hull speed was (Re: Who Took Shaun White Sea Kayaking?)

I had asked Freya at the Victoria presentation if she suffered any
tendinitis or other joint fatigue. Paul C. had reported pretty soar
shoulders after some of his longer days around Australia, so I was curious
about Freya and her wing paddle.

She claimed the wing not only helped her drive the Epic 18 Sport, but that
she had no paddle fatigue injuries as the wing paddle is used with a high
stroke. She then went on to demonstrably show how most paddlers use their
Euros, mimicking their poor wrist, elbow, and shoulder ergonomics through
the water; this she compared visually with her wing paddle stroke. 

Freya also mentioned that the Epic kayak allowed the knees up position
associated with efficient, fast forward movement. She claimed paddlers in
Brit boat with their legs spread apart are missing out on this better way of
paddling. Well, any time someone talks about spreading legs, I take notice.
Though in this case I did feel she was generalizing as there are new sea
kayaks out now that allow a knees-up paddling position, though the Epic
kayaks are optimized with acute deck angles to allow a closer-in paddle
stroke (presumably with the wing paddles).

I think it would be unfortunate if paddlers pick up these wing paddles if
their kayaks don't have the top end speed that makes the marriage more worth
while. Craig's longer Mariner still doesn't have the long waterline length
that these race sea kayaks do, though the Epic 18 is one of the few that
actually performs well in really lumpy seas. Freya did mention this too,
though it sounded a bit like add copy from the Epic website. However, no one
was about to disagree with her. :-)

I'm still looking for a fast sea kayak with a good top end, that has a sea
kindly ride, low windage, responsive with some stability, and allows for an
upright stroke when required. I've paddled the Seda Glider - fast, but
pathetic in chaotic seas. Freya's Epic 18 with it's awesome rudder system
might be a good choice for me, if I could get a better layup and real
hatches. There's the Point 65 XP18, but somewhat of an ugly boat. I suspect
that's the issue with 18-foot waterline length kayaks - they just don't have
the sex appeal of the Greenland-styled kayaks. 

Oh Craig, please don't paddle nude. The world isn't ready. :-)

Doug Lloyd

On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 3:09 PM, Gerald Foodman
<gfoodma_at_earthlink.net>wrote:

>
> The question that interests me is whether one can paddle more efficiently
> with a wing at fast touring speeds, say, 4 to 4.5 kts.  I hope so, since I
> just ordered my first wing paddle (ONNO) and do not ever intend to go at
max
> speed.  I have also committed myself to a few months of learning the
stroke.
>  Freya said in her San Diego presentation that the wing was efficient and
> that the wing stroke and paddle are what allowed her to do such long days
> with no injury.
>
> And so we are witness to the beginning of a trend. Doug Lloyd was right,
yet again.

I could have started this one myself if I had only paddled without clothes
more often. Oh.... wait....


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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