From: "James Mitchell" <mariner@seanet.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka kneeling
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 19:02:53 -0700
Very interested in what you are doing. What is a Y-K kayak? Thanks!
----- Original Message -----
From: <kyak@rockisland.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 24, 1999 1:57 PM
Subject: baidarka kneeling
Hi harvey- long time no see...
We launched a replica Y-K syle qayaq in Kwigillingok AK this summer. We
found that paddling kneeling was the prefered method too, for many of the
same reasons harvey mentioned. It's the best way to apply max power in a
paddle stroke for these deep cockpit boats, and was the prefered method for
most paddling. Frank Andrew, the elder we worked with, said that they would
roll up a coat or some skins which was tucked under the paddler's butt to
provide some support. Sitting fwd in the cockpit is the best way to work
around the wide rim, and they used the front deck beam to wedge their thighs
under for bracing. This goes for the double paddle too if my experience is
typical.
these boats are really quite stable so the kneeling position is not scary.
You can even stand up in the boat, lie down and go to sleep and change
postions easily, all while afloat.
Most Y-k qayaqs used two single bladed paddles, one with more area than the
other. The smaller was used when heavily loaded or stemming a foul current,
while the wider blade wasa used when all conditions were right. The slip of
the smaller blade prevented the paddler from straining himself unecessarily.
Much of eskimo material culture is about efficency and conservation of
energy. They also used a double blade for speed runs and long distance but
the single was used much more often. The double paddle is quite short-
frank's was just about 7 feet and the blades are very small- about 3 1/;2
inches and one foot long.
skip
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