Selecting a Paddle
A few basic considerations are in order as you try to find the right paddle for yourself.
New stuff: Gillespie is now making some new blade designs that are of varying volume. Let's use the Standard blade shape as a reference point and work from there. The Surge shape is obviously lower volume (and is not new); the Little Dipper is a very appealing shape, with less radical aspect than the Surge, slightly more volume, but less volume than the Standard -- and excellent choice for those seeking smoothness and the ability to perform at higher cadence. The Big Dipper has more volume than the Standard -- fuller shoulders.
The crucial factor in what makes a blade work for you has much more to do with blade dynamics and shaft comfort. The newest thing is the Surge design blade. This is a very interesting blade especially to look at. But for outrigger paddlers, the actual shape of the blade is close to meaningless in its added value when paddling. It's a funky blade. But it paddles no better than a PM shaped blade. It will probably feel more comfortable to fast cadence paddlers because of the reduced You should be seeking a blade that is easily embraced by the water. You don't want splashing going on all around the blade as it enters the water. You want a tight fit. And big clunky plastic or wood tips don't enter smoothly. I've found that the moderate lip on the powerface is a nice way to get that blade smoothly into the water.
You also don't want a blade that is monstrous, even if you are Hercules or Wonderwoman. Your size doesn't really affect the size of your blade. You just want enough size so that the blade plants itself, and you can vault by it. It doesn't take a lot of blade to do that. I find that in most situations, 9" blade is fine. Don't let that shaft get too long either. It is unnecessarily fatiguing to stroke with a long shaft. It increases your leverage on the water. Don't let it get too short either. You don't want to be leaning out of the canoe reaching down for the water, with your hand on the top of the blade. That gives you no leverage at all, and has the effect of 'arming' the blade (so that your arm becomes the shaft).
What about angles? Choosing an angle is really not that complex. The double angle is something I created nearly 20 years ago, and its purpose was to alleviate wrist fatigue by oriented the lower portion of the shaft back somewhat so that it more naturally aligned with the wrist. It also has a slightly different feel to it than the straight angled paddles and is angled at about l degree more. Paddlers have informed me that the double angle also is kinder to their shoulders.
Greater angles generally go with a higher cadence. The straighter paddles are more for a slower cadence, and would be more appropriate for shorter races, and sprints. A paddle that is angled about l0 degree is good for outrigger racing. A l0 degree angle gives you good leverage and efficiency at the same time. Gillespie double angles are about l2 degrees overall. The plant of the blade in the water feels a bit different, but is quite comfortable. Is it more efficient? It might be, but the angles in the double angle are really a matter of comfort.
When you are purchasing your paddle you will specify blade width, and length: Blade width of course has a lot to do with resistance the wider the blade, the more water that is held. If you go with wider blades, you should consider shorter paddles. The shorter paddles create fewer sweeps for the blade, shortening the length of the stroke, and making for less resistance. If you go with a longer paddle, you are going to have a longer stroke -- and if you have to pack this stroke into a certain cadence, it means more fatigue, and quicker oxygen debt. The shaft length really has more to do with resistance than the blade width. Longer shafts are something only those who are in very good shape, with very strong strokes, should be interested in. If you are in the kind of shape that warrants a longer shaft, then by all means go with it. Your reach is increased, meaning you can place the power ahead of your body, which is where it belongs.
West Coast Paddles
256 Allan Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone (707) 793-0198
Fax (707) 793-0102
Email westcoastpaddles@hotmail.com
Website www.westcoastpaddles.com