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Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
By:Kris Buttermore
Date: 12/10/2007, 1:21 pm
In Response To: Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered (Bryan Hansel)

Agree, and I use a variety of paddles. Greenland, Aleut, Euros, and weird hybrids.

I paddle mostly with GP and other non-feathered "traditional" paddles now (after a while with these ALL euros feel weird and can hurt to use), but I started out paddling with euros and have always used euros feathered. Usually around 60 degrees, mostly because they come that way (60/0/60) but it works well enough that way too. With a wing, I usually end up with it closer to 75 degrees (depends on blades/twist).

I found it felt quite natural that way and really don't notice myself doing any "wrist twisting" that would cause RSI. My wrists stay pretty neutral during stroke elements involving any force. Elbows play a role too. Watch a decent forward stroke video and pay attention to the hands. Not much going on there.

If I set it to zero feather - -THEN I notice I have to manipulate it more to set up the catch. Using mostly GP has not changes how this feels to me with a euro, but like Bryan says, after while you can paddle with just about anything (just maybe not very far/fast).

I suspect, as with any repetitive motion/sports type injury - the individual's application/interpretation of technique and overall conditioning is the larger factor. 90% of folks I see on the water are painful to watch! All arm, hands poorly placed, wrists cocked at odd angles. Add that to not paddling much (weak tendons and such) - and it's not hard to see the potential problems.

It's not the feather, it's the users.

Use what works for you, work on technique, and remember the muscles adapt MUCH faster than the ligaments and tendons. Take it easy for a while when moving to a new type of paddle.

Messages In This Thread

Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Greg Clopton -- 12/9/2007, 9:41 pm
build & try both
ChuckS -- 12/10/2007, 11:25 pm
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Dave Houser -- 12/10/2007, 8:17 pm
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Bryan Hansel -- 12/10/2007, 11:20 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Bill Hamm -- 12/11/2007, 2:28 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Gordon Masor -- 12/11/2007, 12:13 am
Hijack!
Dave Gentry -- 12/11/2007, 11:29 am
Re: Hijack!
Alex Ferguson -- 12/11/2007, 4:54 pm
ad nauseam
Dave Gentry -- 12/11/2007, 7:00 pm
Re: ad nauseam
Gordon Masor -- 12/12/2007, 2:53 am
Re: ad nauseam
Bill Hamm -- 12/17/2007, 2:07 am
Historical POV
Reg Lake -- 12/11/2007, 6:20 pm
Re: Hijack!
Mike Savage -- 12/11/2007, 1:48 pm
Re: Hijack!
Dave Gentry -- 12/11/2007, 3:14 pm
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Kris Buttermore -- 12/10/2007, 1:21 pm
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Mike Scarborough -- 12/10/2007, 10:25 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
JohnK -- 12/10/2007, 4:59 pm
Kinesiology
Pedro Almeida -- 12/10/2007, 9:29 am
Re: Kinesiology
eric -- 12/10/2007, 9:45 pm
Re: Kinesiology
TOM RAYMOND -- 12/10/2007, 10:17 am
Re: Kinesiology
Mike Savage -- 12/10/2007, 10:41 am
Re: Kinesiology
TOM RAYMOND -- 12/10/2007, 11:48 am
Re: Kinesiology
Mike Savage -- 12/10/2007, 3:17 pm
another example
Pedro Almeida -- 12/10/2007, 9:47 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
fred Gasper -- 12/10/2007, 8:51 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Mike Savage -- 12/10/2007, 6:18 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
Bill Hamm -- 12/10/2007, 3:41 am
Re: Paddle: Feathered vs Unfeathered
JohnK -- 12/10/2007, 2:59 am
A different POV
Dave Gentry -- 12/9/2007, 11:26 pm
Re: A different POV??
Randy Knauff -- 12/10/2007, 1:21 am
Feathering advantage is real
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/10/2007, 11:28 am
Re: Feathering advantage is real
Rob Macks / Laughing Loon------WebKitFormBoundaryU -- 12/11/2007, 11:44 am
Re: Feathering advantage is real
Kris Buttermore -- 12/19/2007, 1:59 pm
Not either/or but appropriate both
Randy Knauff -- 12/10/2007, 4:05 pm
Re: Not either/or but appropriate both
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/10/2007, 7:30 pm
Yes, a different POV
Dave Gentry -- 12/10/2007, 3:31 am
Question
Jay Babna -- 12/10/2007, 8:39 am
Re: Question
Bill Hamm -- 12/12/2007, 1:46 am
Re: Question
Dave Gentry -- 12/10/2007, 1:50 pm
The Whitewater Perspective------WebKitFormBoundary *LINK*
GlazedDonut------WebKitFormBoundaryCg1JNknuAcMS+s6 -- 12/10/2007, 10:30 pm
Re: The Whitewater Perspective------WebKitFormBoun
Dave Gentry -- 12/10/2007, 11:49 pm
Re: The Whitewater Perspective------WebKitFormBoun
Duane Strosaker -- 12/10/2007, 11:45 pm
Re: Question------WebKitFormBoundaryJred+soBaAm3Im
Jay Babna------WebKitFormBoundaryJred+soBaAm3Imqe -- 12/10/2007, 3:15 pm
Re: Question------WebKitFormBoundaryJred+soBaAm3Im
Kris Buttermore -- 12/10/2007, 4:20 pm
Re: Question------WebKitFormBoundaryJred+soBaAm3Im
Mike Savage -- 12/10/2007, 5:28 pm
Well...
Pedro Almeida -- 12/10/2007, 8:47 am