Is it better to use a longer paddle or a shorter paddle on the OC-1?
Thanks!
Submitted by JPNPADDLER on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 5:08pm
Is it better to use a longer paddle or a shorter paddle on the OC-1?
Thanks!
Submitted by JPNPADDLER on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 5:08pm
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I think most people go 1 inch shorter as you're sitting lower to the water on the one man. Everyone will chime in for sure.
#1 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 5:51am
There's a very interesting article on Rambo's blog about paddle length. It contradicts the commonly held notion that taller people need longer paddles. It's a must read, IMO.
#2 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 6:29am
I'm 6'2" and I'm using a 53" straight shaft Kia Kaha blade in the OC-6 and a 52" straight shaft Kia Kaha in the OC-1. I also have a 54" double bend Gillespie special ultra light, but it hasn't seen much action for a while.
I like the 52" for the one man. I think it allows me to adjust my cadence and pick up "the clip" when I need to. I didn't think 1 inch could make that much of a difference, but it seems to.
#3 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 8:07am
"A’ole o kahi nana o luna o ka pali; iho mai a lalo nei; ‘ike i ke au nui ke au iki, he alo a he alo - The top of the cliff isn’t the place to look at us; come down here and learn of the big and little current, face to face."
i like this paragraph, King of Kailua, would you mind telling me from what book or story is from?
mahalos and no intention to change subject. if you like you can ansewr by PM.
#4 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 8:17am
I like a 52 for all rides
#5 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 1:57pm
I'm 6 ft tall, and use a 51" for 6-man, and oc1. used to have 52" for 6-man but was switched for Molokai by my team and I like it much better. It also works very well in the oc1, but I use 49" double bend in the rudderless and 3-man.
Having the shorter blade allows me to change pace and take more strokes without hurting myself, spinning the blade also makes me feel like i'm going faster - so thats a positive
#6 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 9:27pm
I know some use a paddle even shorter on a 1 man depending on how far they rotate their core. The more exagerated the rotation is might allow you to use a shorter paddle. I only think this could be advantagous when it comes to surfing. Seems like when your in swells and really choppy water its nice to have a shorter paddle.
#7 Tue, 03/03/2009 - 10:53pm
Jpnpaddler, as you can see, there is some amount of personal choice going on as well as what type of canoe you are paddling.
A good rule of thumb to follow is "Keep your upper hand below your chin". When you start to apply power, the higher your upper hand is, the more likely you are to do damage to your shoulder jpint (rotator cuff) or even dislocate your shoulder.
#8 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 12:07am
I'm 6ft 175 and I started out using a 51" paddle. My right shoulder started bothering me. I have been shaving my seat down little by little and am now using a 48" paddle and it feels great. Even though I'm 6ft, I'm all leg, short torso. So, the standard doesn't always apply!
#9 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 7:17am
i'm 6ft and 51 works just fine
#10 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 7:47am
Well my paddle is bigger than your paddle
#11 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 8:04am
This phrase is from the Olelo No'eau. A book of Hawaiian phrases and poetical sayings.
http://www.amazon.com/Olelo-Noeau-Hawaiian-Proverbs-Poetical/dp/0910240930
A'ole o kahi nana o luna o ka pali; iho mai a lalo nei; 'ike i ke au nui ke au iki, he alo a he alo - The top of the cliff isn't the place to look at us; come down here and learn of the big and little current, face to face. </http://www.amazon.com/olelo-noeau-hawaiian-proverbs-poetical/dp/0910240930>
#12 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 9:39am
56 inches suits me fine. Use 60 inches for rudderless.
#13 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 10:45am
wow
#14 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 2:00pm
A 56" paddle, wow koa! How tall are you?
#15 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 5:23pm
Well my inches are longer than your inches
#16 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 6:47pm
Not tall enough, but I read somewhere on the net that Gillespie switched over to a longer paddle and loves it. So I thought I'd do the same thing and experiment and see for myself. For us guys with bad backs, the longer paddle sure made paddling easier for me. Of course my blade width is 8 3/4 inches and not a 10 inch plus monster. The longer paddle does most of the work for me, so no need work as hard. When paddling rudderless, I like the old style way of kneeling down, like a surfboard/paddleboard, so can reach out real far with the 60 incher.
#17 Wed, 03/04/2009 - 7:07pm