: This is really interesting Mike, clears up a lot of questions and
: raises a few more.

: Based on the 60-80 cycles per minute that bicycle racers
: use--because tests demonstrate this is the most efficient, I
: increased the cadence of my my paddle stroke. I'm consistently
: 70 per minute. This with a Euro Paddle 215 cm (84.6 inches),
: mostly vertical stroke, 23.5" wide kayak. A longer Euro
: paddle 230cm (90.75") I have makes me go faster. I can't
: keep as vertical--it also hurts my shoulders (I'll try it again
: now that I'm buffed up a bit more). Before my shoulder surgery
: that paddle caused a lot of chronic pain contributing to my need
: for an ACL repair.

: The bones of Aleut paddlers apparently show they had the highest
: muscle development of any known population. The longer Aleut
: paddles might work the way my longer paddle seems to--greater
: leverage which results in greater speed of the paddle blade,
: (but greater stress on my shoulders)

: When I used to paddle with a couple of speed demons, I noticed they
: were taking fewer strokes (this was when my stroke was horrible
: so there's a lot I wasn't qualified to observe), but I'm sure
: they were no where near 70 strokes per minute. What I also
: remember is that they took quick sharp strokes, gliding a bit
: before taking the next stroke. I know a paddle is suppose to
: stick in the water.... but subjectively from the cockpit it
: seems to me speed of that blade in the water is very important.
: My high cadence thing is secondary.

: This and what you tell Mike give me a better understanding of the
: Aleut paddle. I'm guessing that blade speed is what's important.
: I should look for videos of people using Aleut paddles.
: The puzzle for me is how to make a more vertical stroke with a
: longer paddle. (I googled for Aleut Paddling and couldn't find
: anything definitive. I did see a lot of guys slowly entering
: their SOF yaks. How about some more paddling shots? When I get
: around to making an SOF I'm going to make my coaming bigger. I'd
: like to spend more time paddling and less time getting in.)

: Also the 25" loom of an Aleut paddle is interesting. I
: consistently use 28" on my euro-paddle and that's choking
: up a bit. It gives me speed but requires more muscle effort, and
: more arm movement. I've always had good rotation since I read
: about it in a book--later Jen Keck coached me how to properly
: connect it to my paddle. . . .

: I guess I'll just have to make one and find out for myself. (I'm
: not completely goofing off, I just added a seal coat to the hull
: of my Mystery. 90 degrees perfect weather for epoxy.)

: Will

: Another
: :

Hi Will,
The "broken" cadence works well for me with a vertical stroke and I'm more used to the close hand spacing of a GP, more than 25" spacing feels awkward and tiring. Most of my effort is through my upper body rather than my arms, sort of rolling my shoulders than moving my arms. A wider grip would bring my arms up too high and makes my shoulder twinge, I dislocated my left shoulder a few times in the past.
I also use a fairly long stroke, planting near my feet and out well behind my seat. For some reason that seems to negate any tendency to yaw, there's likely a slight ruddering effect toward the end of the stroke. Even though it's with a 60 degree EP, it's a fairly quiet stroke.

Mike Savage
South West Sork