fitness paddling: exercise, train, race by kayak & canoe

Sea Wind, being a hybrid boat between kayak and canoe, often triggers the discussion what paddle can or should be used when paddling her. A single or double blade? What is more efficient, faster, better for long distance paddling?

I paddle my Sea Wind almost all time with a single blade paddle. I have collected various bent shaft Zaveral paddles from ultralight to whitewater models. However, before Everglades Challenge 2004 I trained also with a kayak paddle but I didn't use it during the race. I carried the double blade paddle for rough conditions and for recovery from a capsize. For me, the Sea Wind is too wide for efficient and comfortable use of kayak paddle. I believe that earlier designs by Verlen Kruger, Loon and Monarch, had a narrower beam.

In Texas Water Safari, I paddle the Spencer X-treme canoe, another hybrid boat that can be paddled with either single or double blade paddled. During my first Safari in 2002 I was using a kayak paddle perhaps 60% of time. Then, I switch to a wing paddle and in my recent two safaris (2003 and 2005) I used that paddle for 90% of time and a single blade just occasionally. In the 2006 Missouri River 340 Race I used exclusively my wing paddle, but I carried a single blade as a spare. Different boats, different strokes.

Steve Landick was kind to answer several of my questions concerning his Monarch canoes and his paddling during the 28,000 mile ultimate canoe challenge with Verlen Kruger.

Question: How often did you use a double blade paddle when paddling your Monarch canoe during the ultimate canoe challenge?

Steve Landick:

I would guess that I used the single blade well over 90% of the time on our long trip. The double was good in rough water. It was especially helpful when Verlen capsized off Cape Blanco and I had to paddle him in. The Coast Guard told us later the wind was blowing 50 knots. The extra horse power and greater security also proved to be an advantage going up rapids in the Grand Canyon.

The canoe paddle was so much more comfortable and efficient in the long haul that I inevitably found myself using it most of the time. And thats coming from someone who has done a fair amount of kayaking (on my first trip in 1971 I paddled a kayak 1600 miles). If there is any wind not either directly from ahead or behind the spray from the double of course tends to get the paddler wet. When I have the choice I usually choose dry over wet.

Related posts:

• 90% Pulling Hard + 10% Technique = Kayak Speed ?
• Tips on Kayak Paddle Stroke from a Texas Water Safari Racer
• Forward Stroke with Oscar Chalupsky and Greg Barton and Wing Paddle in Surfski.info
• Paddling technique: double blade / single blade

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