: Yes, I think we're trying to say the same thing, but I wasn't as clear as I
: could have been. When I first read about this I got confused about the
: angle thing, initially thinking it was the angle of the paddle to the
: water - i.e. 90 degrees is standing on end, 0 degrees is floating on the
: surface of the water.

: I was trying to clarify that it's really the angle of the paddle about it's
: longitudinal axis that's being talked about. I had hoped to spare others
: the confusion... hope I haven't just muddied the waters more...

Dave,

I still don't believe that we are on the same wavelength on this one. Your initial thought was correct, the angle referred to by Maligiaq is simply the angle of the paddle blade with respect to the surface of the water. As an example place the paddle across your lap so that the paddle is perpendicular to the keel. The "beginner" or vertical plant will have the blades at 90 degrees (straight up and down). The angle as described by Maligiaq is simply letting the upper edge of the paddle tilt forward of vertical while the paddle shaft remains perpendicular to the keel. By this example I am not saying that you perform the stroke or initiate the catch with your paddle in a horizontal position across your lap, this simply illustrates the angle in question.

Paddling with the blades angled slightly forward should not cause the path of each stroke to veer toward the kayak, in fact the most common paths are either straight back or flaring away from the hull (ala a wing paddle). Maligiaq performed this stroke so that the paddle was held fairly high (hands reached up to shoulder level) and the paddle blades passed close the gunwales. His arms were quite active and contributed a strong push-pull component to the stroke. According to John Heath, Maligiaq's stroke is optimized for speed.

Greg Stamer