Message-Id: <l03130304b0991daaa94c@[205.216.99.28]>
In-Reply-To: <3471F777.41005BFF@hksystems.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 18:53:38 -0400
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: "Craig O'Donnell" <dadadata@friend.ly.net>
Subject: Re: Paddles, Bamboo, Other
Wolfgang says:
>Two features of traditional paddles minimize stress
>injuries. The first is lower blade area compared to
>store bought paddles.
>thing is that you can put sufficient flex into a wooden
>paddle so that when you put the paddle in the water,
>and torque on it, the stress on your wrists is reduced.
Just like I said about my bamboo-shafted paddle <grin>. When I scan some
more pictures I'll put them up. At the moment thre are a couple thumbnails
which show the "before tuning" and "after tuning" blade shape and the patch
of carbon fiber cloth.
Bamboo is a good material to look into for a shaft as it's cheap, very
strong, flexible, and you can find a diameter that's a perfect fit for you
if you check enough poles. They are round-ish, but not round.
>The only reason modern paddles have round looms is that
>they're easier to make that way and hence are cheaper.
If you're wrapping carbon on a mandrel I'm not sure round is any harder
than off-round.
Craig O'Donnell
The Proa FAQ <http://www.cyber-dyne.com/~jkohnen/proafaq.html>
The Cheap Pages <http://www.friend.ly.net/user-homepages/d/dadadata/>
_________________________________
-- Professor of Boatology
-- Junkomologist
-- Macintosh kinda guy
I sure miss my cat, Wanda.
_________________________________