Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19990429000306.006afa64@student2.lu.se>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 02:03:06 +0200
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: Per Berntsen <iim96peb@student2.lu.se>
Subject: baidarka Aleut versus greenland style paddle
Hello out there,
I have a question regarding paddles. I have a Greenland style paddle and I
am happy about it. Much more relaxed to use than the normal type of plastic
paddle. What is nice is that the paddle style allows for the shoulders and
arms to relax more, and I can simply enjoy cruising and watching the scenary
more. Strange, with the plastic paddle I had before, I put more effort into
the paddling. It moved quicker, but I never got to the feeling that I
"forgot" I was paddling and my arms moved by themselves. This experience
perhaps came from the little effort that was needed for each paddle stroke
with the Greenland style paddle. I should perhaps mention that this paddle I
was using was very light and made by a true master (not me) in the field of
paddle making.
Okay, I have a baidarka, and from what I know there was an Aleut style
paddle. The blade was shorter and the beam relatively longer. It was flat on
one side, and had a ridge on the other.
- Is it very different to paddle compared to the Greenland style?
- Can you do a eskimo turn with it easily?
-What was the ridge on the blade for?( Creating more stiffness or did it
influence on how the blade went through the water)
- Why is the Aleut style appearantly so different from the Greenland style
paddle?
- Is the Aleut style actually more suited for our baidarkas?
Happy for an answer!
Per Berntsen