Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 23:56:37 -0700
From: lew plummer <jayhawk@sos.net>
To: Bram van der Sluys <bvdsluys@direct.ca>
Subject: Re: [baidarka] Paddle
Bram van der Sluys wrote:
>
> At 10:37 AM 25/07/98 -0700, you wrote:
> >I will include the blank drawing to give you an idea of what the blank
> >looks like after cutting it out with a band saw. You will notice that
> >the paddle in the drawing has been scaled up (X direction only) from the
> >original. This paddle works well with my 19.5'x18" baidarka. The
> >paddles I have made weigh from 1.7lbs to 2.5lbs.
> >
> >One of the virtues of the short loom is that it requires the paddler to
> >use the waist in the stroke. The blade markings are probably have a
> >duel function -- art, angle and depth gauge. At speed, drawing the
> >paddle out of the water to the gauge and entering at the angle marked
> >takes less effort to maintain boat speed. Experiment and give me your
> >impression.
> >
> >Lew
> >
> >Attachment Converted: D:\DWG\blank.EXE
>
> Thanks again Lew
> My Autocad program reported both files as corrupted but the recovery section
> appears to have repaired anything that might have been wrong.
> The last paddle I built (which was my first one also) was along much more
> modern lines (taken from plans in Wooden Boat) and was 90 inches long. Rules
> of thumb which
> I've heard lately indicate that a floor to finger tip dimension is
> appropriate, yikes this for me is 93 inches (6 foot tall and long arms).
> I am a novice paddler as well as builder having started both only 3 or 4
> years ago so my impressions will be very uneducated. Having used my home
> built paddle for two one week vacations on the west coast I feel that my
> paddle may in fact be just an inch or two too short. This impression falls
> in line with the 93" length. This is a whole 7 inches over your model. I get
> the impression that the Aluets probably weren't tall people and could
> account for such a large difference.
>
> As for paddling from the waist, I just don't feel right paddling that way.
> I'm inclined to think along Steve Yahn's lines where our own bodies tell us
> the basic way we are meant to do physical things. Experience of others
> really only make small adjustments to the basic style. On my last trip
> (several weeks ago) I tried to make a study of how or why various styles
> work or don't work and I found that paddling differently from my natural
> style was both difficult and tiring. I find that my shoulders really don't
> move too much until we really dig in for short high speed spurts when my son
> thinks he can beat me (he is 19 and reasonably strong so it's an even match
> usually). So the short loom might not suit? Doesn't matter a second paddle
> can always be made. This paddle doesn't seem to be more than a good
> weekend's work. Anyway thanks again for the drawings I will make good use of
> them.
> Regards
> Bram
Bram,
I have found that paddle blade edge profile is more important than
paddle length. The edge is one of the major players in how well the
paddle connects to the water. The length effects cadence more than
anything. I'm over six foot my favorite paddle is 87" with my 19.5'
boat and 83 inches with my 17' boat. The Aleut paddle blades are so
long that you don't need to use the whole blade at speed. If I need
torque I use all the blade.
I agree totally with Steve's philosophy. I paddle at least three times
a week year around. I have two regular 4.9 mile courses and I keep
track of my time and speed. About three years ago the light came on
regarding my stroke. I just didn't seem to be getting any smoother and
my course times were not improving -- paddling was just hard work.
It was time to change something so I focused on how my body felt as I
moved through my stroke. I felt the pressure on my shoulders and back
and moved it further into my torso. The rest of the week I concentrated
on spreading the load, using more muscle groups. I moved my position in
the boat searching for comfort. I moved my hands around on the paddle.
Before long I found myself, straight backed, leaning slightly forward
away from the back rest, hands, shoulder width apart, torso and
shoulders working in concert with my breathing and my knees working up
and down slightly as if walking. I was almost afraid to stop paddling
thinking I would forget the feeling -- I knew I had it right.
I was able to paddle, for the first time, the 4.9 mile course at full
speed without stopping. My times moved up in the five knot range
(19.5'x18" baidarka). The feeling is wonderful.
Regards, Lew