Top Tips - Paddles

To really understand paddles you need to experiment a lot with different variables; different lengths, degrees of blade stiffness, blade widths areas and shapes, and also paddling styles. The more you understand, the easier it will be for you to choose a paddle and paddling style that suits what you want to do, and the better you'll be able to use your paddle.

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.

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?

Curiosity and experimentation can teach you a lot!

Source: Nigel Foster

Visions & Voyeurism

Photographer: Kayak Wendy

It may be the fact that folk are feeling summer has suddenly sprung forth as we've been enjoying a few days of glorious sunshine here in the UK but is that any reason to suddenly go native any any opportunity? The inspiration behind this post is based on recent incidents where I have paddled / stumbled across cases of beach related frolicking involving people 'sans' clothes. It would appear that I'm not the only one either. Fellow paddler, Kayak Wendy, has also come across those overcome by the sun on her travels.

Photograher: Bob Greenfield

Having recently travelled to Mull for some sea kayaking, I planned to land on a beach at the north end of Iona. An island known for its religous significance and pilgrimages. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, a group of young ladies had decided to commune with nature unaware that anyone may come across them from a vantage point of the sea. What suprised me was their lack of urgency to cover up when I floated into view. We all went our separate ways smiling.

Photographer: Lucinda Manouch

The other occasion was closer to home in North Wales where I was running a kayak safety and rescue session. Whilst the candidates performed suitable tasks, a young couple came rushing into the lake (not a warm mass of water) gave a few shriekd and yelps (of gleee I think) and then dashed back to their van. Maybe they were in desperate need of a wash!

Photographer: Lazlo Woodbine

I know paddlesport can offer a lot...............but you don't expect that!

Monday Morning Wave

Photo: Dave Sparkes

Football and car racing don't demand that one lives by lunar cycles, river movement, and global wind migration. Surfing does! And for the wave-riding rhythm of life I am thankful

- Chris Malloy -

The Horror. A Mexican beachbreak diablo looms beyond the frolickers. The shore-level telephoto view brings home exactly what needs to be negotiated if you want to surf this wave. Question is, do you?