fwd> biomechanics

aol.com!Guillemot@imagelan.com
Thu, 8 Jun 1995 18:34:10 -0400

From: aol.com!Guillemot@imagelan.com
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 18:34:10 -0400
Message-Id: <950608183407_90928879@aol.com>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Subject: fwd> biomechanics

I received the following mail. Can anyone help Rob?

>>>>>>>>>>>>begin<<<<<<<<<<<<
Nick,
I've been asked by the Dutch Kayak Union (NKB) to organize
a lecture + clinic on kayak bio-mechanics/physics. July, Aosta Italy. This
in order to promote the awareness and good understanding of proper paddling
techniques. The lecture will have to deal with several aspects of
WW-kayaking in more quantitative/scientific way.

Have you done something about this issue?

I'm surveying for BOOKS, ARTICLES and CONGRES PROCEEDINGS which deal
with canoeing/kayaking in a QUANTITATIVE/SCIENTIFIC way. Who has access
to more advanced literature?

I heard George Dyson did something on this issue and wrote an article about
his Baidarka boats. Do you have this article? Do you have the e-mail adres of
George?

Regards,
Rob

Rob Snel
Swanecampen 32
2645 NA Delfgauw
Holland
tel/fax +31 15 566709

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>From my point of view the lecture should include:
Audience: Coaches and intermediate to advanced paddlers.
Duration: 1 hour lecture + workshop of three hours

A. THE DEFINITIONS OF "GOOD" TECHNIQUE (introduction)
--To paddle maximum efficient at minimal costs--
[Q:] Competition and recreation paddlers do have different goals
in mind. Does this require the same "good" technique, or are there
differences? What do we want to optimize?

B. BASIC WW-PADDLING MECHANICS
--What forces are needed for a particular move? What are functional
strokes to perform these forces--

For instance a wide eddy break-out. What forces are needed for this
particular move? Needed is: a forward translation into the current and
a boat turn.
1forward move forward stroke
2into the current bowstroke
The water (vectors) will help the boat to turn.
3turn the same bowstroke as under #2 + duffeck stroke
=turning maximimal vs. minimal costs of speed
and rythm.

C. PADDLERS BIO-MECHANICS (main part)
--Decomposition of strokes in biomechanic forces via vector models--
For instance: How many power is needed for a bow stroke, by which
muscles and in which direction? What is "good" technique expressed in
facts and numbers?

D. THE INFLUENCE OF EQUIPMENT
Why does a boat turn when tilted?
Why does a light equipment paddle faster?
What is the purpose of the various blade shapes?
What is the purpose of torque shafts?

-- 
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ing. Rob Snel,   TNO-TPD,   POB 155,   2600 AD Delft,   The Netherlands
tel +31 (0)15 692000        fax +31 (0)15 692111