The Kayak Forum is Sponsored By
|
|
|
| |
Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
It's A Lever......
Posted By: Ian Johnston In Response To: Re: paddle length- old dog learning (Karl)
Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2003, at 2:27 a.m.
: Think of paddle length as a single speed bike- long paddle, big gear,
: shorter paddle, more revs, easier gear. A big gear is great if one is
: cycling in Iowa, but if you peddle hilly country, it sucks. And there are
: hills in kayaking...This is true but only to a point. The crank on your bike is indeed a lever just like the paddle but the paddle is variable, while the single speed bike is not.
You can vary your paddle by widening and narrowing your grip. The important aspects of a lever are between the fulcrum, the load and the force applied. A paddle is in effect a double lever in that each hand; acts as a fulcrum for the other hand, and applies force to the load (water).
The distance between the hands decides what "gear" you're in with any given paddle. The human body is able to generate power through a fairly wide range of distances between the hands, starting from shoulder width and getting wider. Once you have selected your "gear" remember to keep your elbows in close to your body and torque with your body.
Ian
| |
Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.
|
Kayaking Technique |
|
|
|
