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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: greenland paddle
Posted By: Dave Isbell In Response To: greenland paddle (LeeG)
Date: Wednesday, 28 June 2006, at 1:36 p.m.
Lee,
You are right, it is different, but not much. Some paddle with no cant to the blade but you may get a bit of flutter, particularly if you are applying enough force to overpower the blade. This happens more when the paddle isn't sized for your body and strength. The canted blade stroke eliminates flutter and produces more power as you now have a leading edge and are creating hydrodynamic lift as well as pure form-drag for propulsive power. The paddle is canted by rolling your wrists down so the top edge of the paddle is forward of the lower edge.( This flatter wrist-hand angle is very natural position).
The amount of angle in the canted blade is a bit of personal preference and can be very small to close to 45 degrees. You have to counter the tendency for the blade to dive and on a narrow boat will feel as though it is pulling you over(because it is!) You end up compensating for that. I find myself leaning a very small amount away from the side the stroke is on to do that and it is so automatic I don't know I am doing it. The natural buoyancy of a Greenland paddle also compensates for the diving action. You can use a "euro" paddle stroke, a wing paddle strtoke, or a Greenland style stroke. The GP works with all. Let the blade exit the water behind your hips, unlike a modern paddle, and if you have a cant to the blade, pull straight up. this will give you a bit more power from the exit as it acts like a propeller blade. I switched 3 years ago after using a GP out of curiousity and haven't felt the need to use a euro paddle since. Easier on the joints, less tiresd at the end of the day, $20 a pop to make one. All kinds of advantages.
Have fun.Regards,
Dave (the skin boat guy in Annapolis)uestion..I'm playing with one again. I've got a tendency to try and
: replicate my euro paddle technique. It'll take me awhile to relax
: unnecesary grip efforts but I'm kind of unclear on blade angle. My
: tendency is to have the outside edge lead but I've heard of a "canted
: blade"..or the inside edge leading,,which simply makes the blade dive
: under the kayak.
: It's diffrent. Up for suggestions
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