I carved a paddle according to your instructions and I can't believe how great it works! It makes the roll almost effortless. The roll is much easier than with a modern paddle. I do get a bit of flutter in the water, though...is that normal with this style paddle or did I do something wrong?
I'm going to answer my own question--I think the flutter is due to bad technique. I just read this at QajaqUSA: "If you are used to a different paddle type at first the paddle may feel as if it flutters badly and has no power. This is quite normal and disappears once your technique improves..."
Great, I'm glad to hear you have already found the rolling advantages.
Unless your blades are very thin and flexing, which I doubt, the flutter will go away after a bit of practice. I've always said that the paddle teaches you how to use it. The flutter is most likely caused by not "canting" (tilting the blade forward so it dives as you pull back for a stroke) the blade enough upon entry.
Awesome! I've also discovered that one can very simply and easily make an elegant paddle entirely with inexpensive hand tools. There's some more inspiration like this at blueheresothere
Very interesting.. Nice work
ralphcanoes 3 years ago
I carved a paddle according to your instructions and I can't believe how great it works! It makes the roll almost effortless. The roll is much easier than with a modern paddle. I do get a bit of flutter in the water, though...is that normal with this style paddle or did I do something wrong?
MarkSheeres 3 years ago
I'm going to answer my own question--I think the flutter is due to bad technique. I just read this at QajaqUSA: "If you are used to a different paddle type at first the paddle may feel as if it flutters badly and has no power. This is quite normal and disappears once your technique improves..."
MarkSheeres 3 years ago
Great, I'm glad to hear you have already found the rolling advantages.
Unless your blades are very thin and flexing, which I doubt, the flutter will go away after a bit of practice. I've always said that the paddle teaches you how to use it. The flutter is most likely caused by not "canting" (tilting the blade forward so it dives as you pull back for a stroke) the blade enough upon entry.
mattjohnson00 3 years ago
where is part ii.......huh
nakedbullwinkle 3 years ago
There's a link in the description where you can get more info and download the entire video for free.
Matt
mattjohnson00 3 years ago
Awesome! I've also discovered that one can very simply and easily make an elegant paddle entirely with inexpensive hand tools. There's some more inspiration like this at blueheresothere
Junebugberry 4 years ago
Instructive, but what about palm width? Don't you have to factor that in?
randyselig 5 years ago