Chuck said > GPs are a continuum of lengths that go from short storm > paddles to max 8-ft standard Greenland configuration My day-to-day GP is 2450mm (8' 0.5") and my racing GP is 50mm (2") longer. I've only a little over 6' arm span - but have come to prefer my GP longer than 'normal' (from Heath & Holst's formulae). Within the local group of GP users, I believe I prefer the greatest 'extra length' - but most seem to prefer their GPs 25-50mm (1-2") longer than 'normal'. I have seen much longer Inuit kayak paddles in the Canadian Canoe Museum - and Harvey Golden's great reference book has a number in the 3100 (10') plus range. So there is precedent for a considerable size range. My own experience is that dynamic stability (from boat speed) helps to overcome sea-state (clapotis & chop) - but is less useful in conditions of cresting side-waves & surf, and much less useful in wind gusts and willies. These situations benefit from a longer paddle (ie: longer than my last regularly-used Euro paddle). One vivid GP memory is sitting under a tall bluff and waiting out some wind 'dumps' that came down and hissed across the otherwise flat water - kicking up little whirls of spray. I've always remembered them with my reaction at the time 'sh#t - this has to be 50+ knots'. For a few minutes, I was in 'brace to survive' mode, low to the deck and GP held low & centrally - equally out on either side, as I was struggling to stay head-on to the rock wall and keep whatever shelter I could get. The ease of doing a slap-brace on either side with no hand movement - and no wrist rotation (un-feathered GP, of course) was certainly something I valued in that particular experience - and something I continue to think of as a benefit of the GP. Best Regards Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jul 14 2010 - 15:22:24 PDT
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