[Paddlewise] storm seas long paddles staying upright

I have used long (9 ft) paddles for more than 25 years. In my opinion, the
southwest Greenland Inuit paddlers are able to use short paddles because of
their skill at rolling. Absent that skill, they would be using long paddles
(up to 10 ft) along with all of the other native paddlers of the eastern
arctic.

 

I believe this was a matter of doing what was necessary to survive in kayaks
in the Arctic environment. Long paddles provide the bracing to stay upright
even in rough water conditions and the leverage to control the boats in high
winds and rough seas.

 

Short paddles may be great for speed, but in current training little
consideration is given to survival in extreme paddling conditions.

 

I think that in several ways, the recent accident in Newfoundland is
disturbingly similar to the accident a few years ago in Biddeford, Maine
where two paddlers went out at dusk in smallcraft warning conditions, water
temp ~ 44 F, victim wearing "shorty" wetsuit, both men unable to call for
assistance. The paddler in a drysuit survived overnight on an island, the
other was swept out to sea and died.

 

Chuck Sutherland
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