Re: [Paddlewise] bracing and power

I don't want to belabor the point or knock anyone's very personal 
equipment choices, as I said, you like what you like and that is the 
final word. I started kayaking back when my 240cm Werner Camano was the 
hot ticket and my Pacific Watersports Osprey was the be all and end 
all. I have a Derek Hutchinson designed Streamlyte Toksook, but as I'm 
a rebel without a cause and too lazy to invent one, I bought it at 
220cm and a 60 degree feather, not the recommended 240cm length and 90 
degree feather. I dislike dogma that can sometimes shame people into 
feeling they need to switch out equipment in favor of what is 
*current.* With that change comes a different technique that also needs 
to come along for the ride to work.

One of the best teachers of *paddle-paddle-paddle* is learning to surf 
river waves. All the folks, myself included, who use reactive strokes, 
stern rudders on the eddy line and similar defense only strokes 
inevitably miss the wave, float down stream in the funny water and 
continue bracing and beaver slapping and sometimes missing large eddies 
to cue back up for the wave. Positive strokes get you on the wave, they 
still correct your attitude and help you in a dynamic environment. 
Paddling defensively in a dynamic environment cedes control to the 
water. Relying on the paddle users longer lever may not be construed as 
ceding control always, however, in this discussion, it's primary 
attractions have been advertised as such. Dynamic stability uses water 
features, posture, cadence and your hull's control surfaces to aid 
this. Ask yourself one question: why are there people in whitewater who 
paddle class 5 with hand paddles if paddle length is so important? I'm 
well aware of my mere mortal status, they amaze me, too.

Cheers,

Rob G



-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Foodman <gfoodma_at_earthlink.net>
To: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
Cc: rcgibbert_at_aol.com; pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz; skimmer_at_enter.net; 
PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net; jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm
Sent: Thu, Jul 15, 2010 7:50 pm
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] bracing and power


[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply
including old headers and footers.  It's list policy.... this post was modified to meet policy]

Craig wrote:

> I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is plenty of evidence of
> the use of very long paddles among the Inuit plus some pretty decent
> paddlers here on Paddlewise.seem to have no problems with them. Perhaps this
> is an untapped niche in the sport.

I have a wing (214 cm), a Werner Kalliste (220 cm), an AT Xception (226 cm) ,
vintage Werner Little Dipper (243 cm, old narrow blade style), plus 
have had several GP's at 213 cm.

I cannot get used to either the wing or the GP's.  The very long Little Dipper
is not too long, it is very relaxing to paddle with and very secure in rough
water.   I had a 229 cm AT but sold it because it was too long, if that makes
sense.   The 226 AT is my favorite.  Second favorite is the Kalliste, which is
the right length for that paddle for me.  I currently use all these paddles with
either a QCC 700 with rudder, or a Seda Ikkuma without.

I paddle the QCC 700 at about 4.2 kts for two hours with any of the paddles.
But am least tired with the 226 AT.

J
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