Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 17:50:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ve Smith <ve_hengda_smith@yahoo.com>
Subject: baidarka Slow going in Nanticoke
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
All Winter I've been mulling over the various methods of humility
development, and finally hit upon kayak racing, so last weekend I
entered the Mardella to Vienna Annual, down on the Eastern Shore. I
finished dead last, behind two young girls paddling a kiddy pool (
Class 24, Corracle, women less than 10 years old ), but still able to
see them cross the finish line. Since then, while waiting for my arms
to regain enough strength for typing, I've tried to analyze the
experience and determine what steps can be taken to prevent a
recurrence ( I don't care for any further spiritual development at the
moment).
My deplorable state of strength and fitness is an obvious cause, and
one with an obvious remedy. I've already started lobbying the the title
sponsors for a special "weakling, over 50" class, but it's probably too
late to do any good for this season. Of course it was just bad luck
that the race happened to be a demonstration event for the
Old-Guy-Head-To-Young-Athlete-Body-Transplant-Support-Group. That
probably won't happen again.
The other factors are technological, and I have the following questions
about them:
(1) My baidarka's bottom was nowhere near as smooth as the bottoms of
the plastic and composite boats I was paddling against. Is there a way
of estimating hydrodynamic losses relative to surface roughness? How
about losses from the lashing bumps? ANy cure for either?
(2) Are Greenland paddles really as efficient as big bladed paddles?
(3) I'm probably wasting wetted area by paddling a boat that has a
longer waterline than I'm capable of taking advantage of. Short of a
Vulcan Mind Meld with J. Winters, is there a simple way of figuring
optimum waterline length for paddling ability?
(4) Is there something obvious that I've missed?
I'm realistic about the likelyhood that I'll become a competitive kayak
racer, it's just not a skinny guy sport. Still, next time I really
would like to finish ahead of the guy who was paddling along sipping a
Bud.
Regards.
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