If you want motive power or P = {F}*{V} then you would wish to measure
either the reaction forces of the Kayaker against the boat and/or the
tractive force of the boat (use a line with constant tension and measure the
velocity.)

If you want the forces on the paddle to generate force vs position and/or
time it will get much more complicated but not impossible. Try using strain
gages on the paddle shaft with the data synchronized with video. You can
(with much labor) get position, force and velocity.

There is software already in use that can provide many of the tools you
need. You may need to spend $$ for it though and the learning curve is
probably steep.

"Kieran" wrote in message
news:nK2Ud.65307$8a6.4571@trndny09...
Hey there, sorry for the cross-post!

I might be taking on a project where we try to determine the power
(force and velocity) developed by a kayaker while paddling. I'm
wondering if anyone out there knows of any research that's been done
like this. I know that it is a fairly common thing for rowing crews to
be "instrumented" with strain guages on the oars, and potentiometers on
the oarlocks, to get force/time curves for on-water rowing. So, I'm
wondering if anyone is aware of this sort of study having been done on
kayaking or canoeing.

The obvious problem with kayaking and canoeing, is that the paddle has
no fixed pivot point, like a rowing shell does. So most likely some
sort of video kinematic analysis will be necessary. We have the
capability to set this up, although I think the physics will be
complicated (i.e. statically indeterminant problem). I've done a search
of the scientific journal literature (Medline) and haven't found any
published papers on this topic, but that doesn't mean the work hasn't
been done at some National training center, or product development
center somewhere... or that it's in a very obscure journal that Medline
doesn't cover.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or hints on who might have done this sort of
work in the past. I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, if I can maybe
work on just improving it! :-)

Thanks,
Kieran Coghlan