Equipment

The Wing Paddle and Developments

On the Wing.pdf (390 KB) by Sandy Winterton. A description of the latest development of the Wing paddle and its slow morph to a filled in foil.

This article is from KASK's Sea Canoeist Newsletter No.147.

It is interesting that the Wing appears to be getting closer in foil shape to the Aleut paddle, developed thousands of years ago. Note that the Aluet paddle has an asymmetrical foil and the Greenland paddle a symmetrical foil.

Now, if we take a wooden paddle and burn it, will we have a carbon fibre paddle?

GP vs Euro Paddles

A comment on names first. The Greenland paddle discussed is the light, narrow bladed, with a foil shaped cross-section blade, unfeathered, "stick" seen used by some grey bearded paddlers. The Euro has short, flat or near flat blades, usually feathered, heavy paddle used by most other paddlers.

First weights. Generally paddles used by most paddlers run about 800 - 1000 grm. A GP can be anywhere from 700 - 1000 grm. If you use a carbon fibred version of either, then the weights will be less and the cost will be higher.

There are myths surrounding the GP -

It is heavy

It is inefficient

A paddle needs to be feathered

The answers to these myths are -

They can be as light or lighter than a Euro.

Efficiency - they are a wing paddle and as we know, all "serious" (racing) paddlers use a wing. They are also buoyant. This means that they weigh nothing once in the water during the power stroke. They will act as an outrigger when stopped or resting up. They might provide enough lift to save rigging a paddle float when doing a paddle float type rescue. And if desperate, you could brew a cup of coffee by burning one. With that number of pluses it has to be the most efficient.

Many paddlers, WW as well as sea and racing are moving towards lower feather angles such that one wonders why have any at all. With a tail wind unfeathered give maximum aid. Beam on to the wind there is minimum tipping effect and head on to the wind, your body is the major windage item, the GP adding little to the overall drag.

Added to all of this is that being symmetrical foils they can be used for push or pull support strokes and work equally well what ever you do with them. They are like a wing but don't have the vicious tendencies that a wing displays if used badly. However, being a wing they do need to be used like one, the blade moves away from the kayak's hull during the stroke so that the water is moving off one edge and the leading edge, the one away from the hull, needs to be angled forward of the trailing (hull side) edge. This gives "lift", lift in the direction the paddler is moving. If dragged straight back they will flutter due to the water coming off alternate edges. Do this with a wing and it will most likely dive under the kayak taking you with it.

Is a GP the way you should go?

Not necessarily, it all depends. If you are happy with what you use stay with it unless you actually want to try something different.

Is it easy to use?

Yes but it will take time to get the best out of it. Some say you need to paddle for 6 weeks to get used to a wing paddle. I'd say it doesn't take as long but then again, the more you use either the more proficient you will get.

How do you size a GP?

Similarly to a Euro except the loom (handle) is about your shoulder width. For the overall length, an arm-span plus a cubit or such that you can curl your finger over the end of it when standing and it is vertical. This alternative method isn't as good as it presumes you are average as far as leg/arm ratio. The other question is what is a cubit? Finger tip to elbow but inside or back of the upper arm? The blades should be only as wide as you can grasp. The loom can be oval or oblong in cross-section.

Do you need to use a low stroke with a GP?

No. It is easy using a low relaxed cruising stroke with a low decked kayak when you aren't in a hurry or don't want to outdistance your companions but the stroke can be high or low depending on what you are trying to achieve. Power and speed will see the stroke angle steepen such that there is little difference between a wing paddler and a GP user at maximum speed and power.

See the Greenland paddle construction pages for how to make your own Greenland paddle.

Dry Suits - leak testing and repair

A few NZ paddlers use drysuits. As with everything, these are prone to wear and the link tells of one owner's method of leak testing and repair.

Leak testing and repair of a drysuit.

Towing

Go to Training & Technique for links to how to do it and how to make towlines and towing points.

Flying With a Stove

Have you ever wanted to take your camping stove with you by air but were afraid that the latest attitude towards such things would make it impossible?

Use the form AirNZ camping stove form.pdf (45 KB) from Air New Zealand. To confirm that this form is current you might want to phone them, just in case.

The following items are from the web sites of the airlines noted. (as of 17 Aug 2010)

Air New Zealand

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/guide-to-dangerous-goods

Camping stoves and fuel containers that have contained a flammable liquid fuel, may be carried provided the fuel tank of the camping stove and/or fuel container has been completely drained of all liquid fuel and one of the two following actions has been completed:

1. Ventilate the empty fuel tank for a minimum of 6hrs

2. Add Cooking Oil to the empty fuel tank and swish around for about 15 minutes until the smell of the fuel has been completely removed

The item must then have the cap securely fastened, be wrapped in an absorbent material, sealed inside a plastic bag and then placed in your checked baggage.

Approval of the operator(s) is required

Permitted in or as checked baggage

Virgin Pacific

http://www.flypacificblue.co.nz/Personal/Flightinfo/FlyingInternationally/Dangerousgoods/index.htm

Camping Stoves and Fuel Containers that have contained a Flammable Liquid:

These items may be permitted as checked-in baggage as long as the fuel tanks are totally drained and action taken to nullify the danger. You must tell the check-in agent that you are travelling with these items. Note: Contact Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue Guest Contact Centre on 13 6789 for further details on the process required to nullify the danger.

QANTAS

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en

Camping stoves and fuel containers that have contained a flammable liquid fuel.

With the approval of the operator, as checked baggage only, camping stoves and fuel containers for camping stoves that have contained a flammable liquid fuel may be carried provided the fuel tank of the camping stove, and/or fuel container has been completely drained of all liquid fuel and action has been taken to nullify the danger.

To nullify the danger, the empty fuel tank and/or container must be allowed to drain for at least 1 hour, the fuel tank and/or container must then be left uncapped for a minimum of 6 hours to allow any residual fuel to evaporate. Alternative methods, such as adding cooking oil to the fuel tank and/or container to elevate the flash point of any residual liquid above the flash point of flammable liquid and then emptying the fuel tank and/or container, are equally acceptable. The fuel tank, and/or container must then have the cap securely fastened and be wrapped in an absorbent material such as paper towel and placed in a polyethylene or equivalent bag. The top of the bag must then be sealed or gathered and closed.

NOTE: This exception is NOT applicable to items with internal combustion engines eg. lawnmowers, chain saws, brushcutters etc. These items are not permitted for carriage as baggage.