Date: Tue, 14 Mar 95 11:32:25 -0700
From: Bill Blohm <bblohm@hpbs1686.boi.hp.com>
Message-Id: <9503141832.AA15676@hpbs1686.boi.hp.com>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Subject: Re: Traditional Kayak Designs
> Is there any historical commentary on the paddling cadence of the kayakers?
> It strikes me with my limited experience with a relatively narrow
> "traditional" style paddle, that it would require a whirl-wind stroke rate to
> produce and maintain a high speed with one of these paddles.
Nick,
I'm not an expert at any rate. But I have paddled enough to notice certain
things that might come to bear on this question. It'll be interesting to
see what George or any other has to say on this, and on what I'm about to
say. All IMHO, of course.
One: The idea behind the narrow style paddle is most likely wind resistance.
The idea is to cut down the amount of flat surface providing resistance to
an existing wind, especially a headwind. Feathered paddles, as far as I
know (not all that much, really), were not used by sea-going peoples. I'm
not sure why, but must think that it is to make the longer voyage easier on
the wrists and arms. The narrower paddle would also reduce weight somewhat,
making the paddle easier to use longer.
Two: You'd be surprised. While it might take a bit of effort to get going,
once you are going it does not take all that much effort to maintain a given
speed. I've dug in with my paddles to get going, nearly burying the blade
entirely in the water. ("Rabbit start" :-) But once I'm going, I use as
little as a third the blade to maintain that speed. True, I am not using the
narrow style paddle here, but the principle is the same. I've no idea just
what the physics of it are, but it appears that in a good boat, conservation
of energy of the boat is enough to pretty much override resistance from the
water. (I'm thinking of the fact that a force at rest, etc..) Also, we're
talking about baidarkas, right? And they sealed them with greasy fat, right?
That might have also reduced friction even more. (Or increased it? No idea
here, just thinking out loud, as it were.) Here's a way to try it out: Take
a canoe, kayak, baidarka, rowboat, whatever, out. Human powered, only. Get
it going at a good rate of speed and maintain that speed for awhile, paying
attention to how hard you're working to maintain it, as opposed to getting to
that speed. Then, here comes the fun part: STOP! EMERGENCY STOP! See how
short a distance you can stop in. Oh, and if you're in a rowboat, watch out
for your chin and chest! Don't stop by turning, stop while staying in the
track you were originally in. You'll really have to bury the paddle on both
sides to stop short, back stroking. It's fun to get really going, pick a
spot, and try to stop before you hit it.
Bill B.
P.S. George, I'm interested in that paper, "Form and Function of the
Baidarka." How do I order it? I don't have my papers handy and can't
recall if it's listed in the study packet you sent, oh, so many months ago.