Re: [Paddlewise] A new way to teach the forward stroke?

Mark Sanders wrote:
> I can accept that potential energy contributes to the stroke, but are
> you saying it's the prime mover? I wish I was on the water right now to
> give it a test. It seems even at 2kts, there has to be some more energy
> involved.

Something else that is easily forgotten: 30 watts is nothing when it 
comes out of the socket, but it's quite something when you have to 
produce it yourself. We're extremely spoiled with our x1000 watts 
washing machines, heaters, vacuumcleaners, powerdrills and cars. I 
hardly remember the last time I turned a screw by hand.

 From wikipedia (lacking a better source)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-powered_transport
 > In lab experiments an average "in-shape" cyclist can produce about 3 
 > watts/kg for more than an hour (e.g., around 200 watts for a 70 kg
 > rider), with top amateurs producing 5 watts/kg and elite athletes
 > achieving 6 watts/kg for similar lengths of time.

I think kayaking is much less efficient than cycling; we can keep it up 
for longer than an hour. I'd be surprised if we produced over 75 watts 
of useful energy - which again makes 30 watts quite significant.
(The number 75 is from another, even less reliable source. Never trust 
fundamental greenies. Still: It's a nice number to quote.)

Niels
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