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Re: paddle length?
By:Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks
Date: 12/28/2000, 12:32 pm
In Response To: Re: paddle length? (Rob Macks)

: >I also think that if many of the proponents of Greenland paddles would
: spend as much >time and effort in becoming proficient with a good
: (non-fiberglass) euro paddle they >would find the differences far less
: compelling.

: >To try to give the "euro" paddle another advantage: it is an
: "open" system. Where the >Greenland paddle is held by
: tradition regarding what is "right" and "wrong", the
: "euro" >paddle is open to constant innovation. It is free to
: incorporate what is good from the >Greenland tradition and add new
: ideas as they come along.

: I do find your quotes above to be critical of native paddles (you call them
: Greenland, but there is also the similar Aleut style I use) because you
: appear to be unaware of the major design and use differences from the
: sport (euro) style you favor.

I thought I was being critical of the paddlers not the paddles themselves :)

Just because John Heath says traditional paddles were designed for long distance endurance does not mean that they are ipso-facto the most efficient for that purpose. Just because he is probably the top expert on the Inuits does not make him the final authority on paddle efficiency. He probably knows more than most of us, but hydrodynamics is different from anthropology.

I am sorry for using "greenland" as a short hand for "traditional". But the most vocal group of traditional paddle adherents seem to prefer the greenland variant and might sneer at your silly Aleut stick.

As you say, I like my paddle because I like my paddle. I tried a greenland style paddle and it did not fit into my skill set or my paddling desires so I didn't switch over.

Messages In This Thread

paddle length?
mathew -- 12/22/2000, 9:07 am
Re: paddle length?
Jay Babina -- 12/26/2000, 11:00 am
Re: paddle length?
Earl Bailey -- 12/22/2000, 3:49 pm
Re: paddle length?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/22/2000, 10:00 am
Re: paddle length?
John Leonard -- 12/23/2000, 8:51 pm
Re: paddle length?
Greg Stamer -- 12/23/2000, 5:50 pm
Re: paddle length?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/26/2000, 10:43 am
Re: paddle length?
Rob Macks -- 12/26/2000, 1:28 pm
Re: paddle length?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/27/2000, 11:30 am
So what makes a good paddle?
David Dick -- 12/28/2000, 8:12 am
Re: So what makes a good paddle?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/28/2000, 11:54 am
Re: So what makes a good paddle?
Jim P. -- 12/28/2000, 8:48 am
Re: So what makes a good paddle?
Rob Macks -- 12/28/2000, 9:38 am
Re: paddle length?
Rob Macks -- 12/27/2000, 3:56 pm
Re: paddle length?
Rob Macks -- 12/27/2000, 2:30 pm
Re: paddle length?
Ken Sutherland -- 12/28/2000, 9:43 pm
Re: paddle length?
Rob Macks -- 1/2/2001, 11:16 am
Re: paddle length?
Richard Boyle -- 1/3/2001, 11:50 am
Re: paddle length?
Rob Macks -- 1/3/2001, 3:01 pm
Re: paddle length?
Ken Sutherland -- 1/2/2001, 9:57 pm
Re: paddle length?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/28/2000, 12:32 pm
Re: paddle length?
Greg Stamer -- 12/26/2000, 12:41 pm
Re: paddle length?
Bert -- 12/24/2000, 12:51 pm
Re: paddle length?
Greg Stamer -- 12/24/2000, 3:32 pm
Redwood & Tung oil?
John Monfoe -- 12/23/2000, 12:45 am
Re: Redwood & Tung oil?
Duane Strosaker -- 12/24/2000, 11:51 pm
Re: Redwood & Tung oil?
John Monfoe -- 12/25/2000, 6:05 am
Re: Redwood & Tung oil?
Greg Stamer -- 12/23/2000, 10:22 am
Re: paddle length?
Larry C. -- 12/22/2000, 6:24 pm
Re: paddle length?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/26/2000, 9:10 am