![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB42JEqrMsuXcbiDIAnGwDFvVOH2BeQUBP4lPcB4RBohc5hneQyVDaNKOhFXPL2xbprSRTUgYJfWzPbrV3XxPDFGmj7JuZYxKsZoqNx8zL4uHybgQcnjpUG5mQXaE32nQ9Hv5xy3dZVg/s320/Paddles-1.jpg)
Try a different type of paddle from the one you usually use. Borrow a wing for a while, or a Greenland paddle, or a general touring paddle, whichever is the least familiar to you. If you have an "high angle" paddle style, experiment with a paddle designed for a "low angle" of presentation. Compare the effectiveness of your usual stroke with the effectiveness of a "low angle" stroke.
![](http://lh4.google.com/image/seakayakmark/RijYfqhdwRI/AAAAAAAAAEI/FAla4QdgIDg/Paddles-3.jpg)
Learn more about the effect of "swing weight" by attaching a weight to each of your paddle blades. (use elastic bands to hold a small zip-lock bag of water to each blade) You should notice a big difference when you move the weights toward the mid-point of the shaft, so you can figure out for yourself how you prefer the weight to be distributed in a paddle. Take a length of bamboo and use that as a paddle. How does this affect your acceleration and your top speed? When do you experience the greatest amount of flutter, when you're accelerating or when you're cruising?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_kYju_AS_MTx2yUuaESqYGGheet0uajWB3jW64VStxywVk3fOK0Cll01CZq1vb4qdhpBXtmqjiSn1gJMdomncpRbRi0YHuH10v3WufxDpITxYPpdzNbSXt2sBL4wYgN_B52_dEK5JlA/s320/Paddles-2.jpg)
Curiosity and experimentation can teach you a lot!
Source: Nigel Foster
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