Paul wrote: >>>>...A long paddle just works for me better than a short one. It doesn't slow me down and I don't accept that it has any adverse effects on my capabilities or my enjoyment.....<<<< Paul, did you ever say what to you is long or short in a paddle? How long were the Euro paddle you were using in the downdrafts? What do you consider short n a paddle? Same for your Greenland paddles, tell us how long they are. Chuck is talking 8.5ft (260cm) to 9ft (274cm) paddles as what he uses. I'd classify them both as really really long. I think a 230 is kind of on the long side. Doug seems to consider his 220cm paddle as long but doesn't want to go shorter. To me that was once radically short for a sea kayak paddle. I see most WW paddles are now in the 190 to 200cm range. Wouldn't they be able to brace better with a 240+cm paddle too? Personally, I don't think longer paddle length is nearly as important as ones technique and speed for bracing. The quicker you can be proactive or reactive (or reactively proactive) the better in a situation that can quickly lead to a capsize. The shorter lighter paddle can react quicker and the paddler has much better control of a nearby blade than one that is way out on the end of a long shaft. (And that is before the wind gets ahold of it). Needless to say, I don't buy the bracing with a long paddle is more secure belief I'm reading here. Trust me, there is an ideal length and anything longer will slow you down some. It is all about a gear ratio that matches the horsepower your body/engine can generate for best efficiency. Too long and you get "lugged down" with the strain. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>I see most WW paddles are now in the 190 to 200cm range. Wouldn't they be able >to brace better with a 240+cm paddle too? Personally, I don't think longer >paddle length is nearly as important as ones technique and speed for bracing. >The quicker you can be proactive or reactive (or reactively proactive) the >better in a situation that can quickly lead to a capsize. The shorter lighter >paddle can react quicker and the paddler has much better control of a nearby >blade than one that is way out on the end of a long shaft. (And that is before >the wind gets ahold of it). Needless to say, I don't buy the bracing with a >long paddle is more secure belief I'm reading here. A WW paddle needs to be shorter for two reasons. First of all, a WW kayak is much shorter than a SK and has more pronounced rocker. The paddler must paddle close to the side, vertically, to keep the boat going straight. A long paddle forces a stroke far enough away that the boat is turning instead. Too, with a long shaft doing a vertical stroke is an awkward position and perhaps risky since your arms are extended above your head. Secondly, you are likely paddling among rocks or other features that a long paddle will be striking. That could knock you over or damage the paddle. It could also prevent you from making the stroke you need to. My WW paddle is 202 cm, but I use other paddles up to 240 cm in length. They work better in different water situations and also for different boats. So paddle length, as mentioned by others, is partly determined by the rest of your equipment as well as personal predilections. Joe P. *************************************************************************** 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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