Thursday, May 19, 2011

Paddles...
   I've been so engrossed with the new Cetus that I haven't mentioned my search for the perfect paddle (here he goes again). I have  Werner's Ikeolos/Kalistte/Camano which I interchange. The Camano is a 220 affair and the other two are 210's. Recently, at Rutabaga, I tried a 205 length paddle and liked it (JB just got a 205 which I hope to try soon).
   The Ikeolos has a huge blade and takes its toll on long paddles. Using the low angle Kalistte as a high angle paddle with a slightly increased cadence gives me more speed and less fatigue. If the wind comes up in my face, I go to a low angle style (I do not feather my paddles)
   Because the swede form Cetus boats are so narrow where paddles enter the water, I am using a high angle style. In fact, this narrow area allows for slick and efficient use of  a Greenland stick.
   I think there will be one more paddle in my future, and it will likely be a mid size blade with a 205 shaft. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Paddle safe...
DS

3 comments:

Peter said...

I'm going to try a shorter paddle aswell. I have had problems with my shoulders and hopefully will a shorter paddle with medium sized blades be alright.

gnarlydog said...

Silbs, your selection of paddles mimics my ex selection: Ikelos 210, Cyprus 215 and Kalliste 220 (Camano and Shuna too). Then one day I tried a timber Aleut paddle and my Werners suddenly gathered dust till I decided to sell them.
Peter, if you have sore shoulders (like I did with the Ikelos on long paddles) try a traditional paddle. I now have 3 Aleut (one a split paddle) and 2 Greenland paddles. Some for cruising and some for rolling. Funny enough I have now trouble handling Euro paddles...

Silbs said...

Peter, I agree with Gnarly on the Greenland paddle. It "grabs" the water more gradually than the Euro blades. I do have to admit, I haven't paddled the new boat with a GS yet (I have 2).