Is RBP still alive? I haven't been here in a long time... thought I'd drop
by with a question. I hope everyone is having a good start to the paddling
season.

I'm a canoe kind of guy and have three that I enjoy very much (Bell
Northwind, Bell Magic and Mad River Eclipse). I was recently encouraged to
buy a kayak to use on an annual sal****er fly fishing trip to Cape Cod. I
just picked up a new Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 Angler. I bought a Werner
Tybee paddle (in expectation that my canoe background makes me tend to be a
high angle paddler?), a bilge pump and a Seal skirt. I live in a rural area
in upstate NY and the only "kayakers" I know are paddling oversize plastic
pool toys from the local sporting goods chain stores... no real enthusiasts
around that I'm aware of to seek guidance from.

Can any of you recommend a good reference book or two? I'm particularly
fond of Bill Mason's "Path of the Paddle" as a canoeing reference. Is there
a similar work in print for kayakers? I've found some interesting
instructional vids on Youtube, but I'd really like a good book. What is the
kayaker's bible?

Thanks for any suggestions,
desmobob

On Apr 11, 4:47*pm, "Robert Scott" wrote:
Is RBP still alive? I haven't been here in a long time... thought I'd drop
by with a question. *I hope everyone is having a good start to the paddling
season.

I'm a canoe kind of guy and have three that I enjoy very much (Bell
Northwind, Bell Magic and Mad River Eclipse). *I was recently encouraged to
buy a kayak to use on an annual sal****er fly fishing trip to Cape Cod. *I
just picked up a new Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 Angler. *I bought a Werner
Tybee paddle (in expectation that my canoe background makes me tend to be a
high angle paddler?), a bilge pump and a Seal skirt. *I live in a rural area
in upstate NY and the only "kayakers" I know are paddling oversize plastic
pool toys from the local sporting goods chain stores... no real enthusiasts
around that I'm aware of to seek guidance from.

Can any of you recommend a good reference book or two? * I'm particularly
fond of Bill Mason's "Path of the Paddle" as a canoeing reference. *Is there
a similar work in print for kayakers? *I've found some interesting
instructional vids on Youtube, but I'd really like a good book. *What is the
kayaker's bible?

For kayaking, I like Tom Foster's "Catch Every Eddy, Surf Every Wave".
It's great for beginner to advanced kayakers.

John Kuthe...

"John Kuthe" wrote in message
...
On Apr 11, 4:47 pm, "Robert Scott" wrote:
Is RBP still alive? I haven't been here in a long time... thought I'd
drop
by with a question. I hope everyone is having a good start to the
paddling
season.

I'm a canoe kind of guy and have three that I enjoy very much (Bell
Northwind, Bell Magic and Mad River Eclipse). I was recently encouraged
to
buy a kayak to use on an annual sal****er fly fishing trip to Cape Cod. I
just picked up a new Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 Angler. I bought a
Werner
Tybee paddle (in expectation that my canoe background makes me tend to be
a
high angle paddler?), a bilge pump and a Seal skirt. I live in a rural
area
in upstate NY and the only "kayakers" I know are paddling oversize
plastic
pool toys from the local sporting goods chain stores... no real
enthusiasts
around that I'm aware of to seek guidance from.

Can any of you recommend a good reference book or two? I'm particularly
fond of Bill Mason's "Path of the Paddle" as a canoeing reference. Is
there
a similar work in print for kayakers? I've found some interesting
instructional vids on Youtube, but I'd really like a good book. What is
the
kayaker's bible?

For kayaking, I like Tom Foster's "Catch Every Eddy, Surf Every Wave".
It's great for beginner to advanced kayakers.

John Kuthe...


Thanks John.

I should add that MY oversized pool toy will be paddled 95% on inland
flat-water and 5% on inshore sal****er.

I had it out today for the first time. I was cursing the entire trip! The
Pungo 140 Angler comes with some add-ons like a pair of rod holders (one
flush and one conventional) and a pair of paddle or rod clips. Turns out
the aft clip is mounted right at the outside edge of the deck just about
even with the seat back:
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/pro...ngo_140_angler

I whacked my fingers against it on every stroke until I started having to
make an uncomfortable "correction" to keep my hand clear of it. I
definitely need to relocate or remove it, or get a longer paddle for
low-angle style paddling. :-(

Good paddling,
desmobob

Bob, if your hand is coming back far enough to whack that aft clip, you
stroke is too long. Your hand really shouldn't go past your hip, and it
should be lifting the paddle up out of the water as it does. Have a look
at this guy.
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pa...ion/Exit.shtml

On 4/12/2010 7:40 PM, Robert Scott wrote:
I should add that MY oversized pool toy will be paddled 95% on inland
flat-water and 5% on inshore sal****er.

I had it out today for the first time. I was cursing the entire trip! The
Pungo 140 Angler comes with some add-ons like a pair of rod holders (one
flush and one conventional) and a pair of paddle or rod clips. Turns out
the aft clip is mounted right at the outside edge of the deck just about
even with the seat back:
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/pro...ngo_140_angler

I whacked my fingers against it on every stroke until I started having to
make an uncomfortable "correction" to keep my hand clear of it. I
definitely need to relocate or remove it, or get a longer paddle for
low-angle style paddling. :-(

"Steve Cramer" wrote in message
...
Bob, if your hand is coming back far enough to whack that aft clip, you
stroke is too long. Your hand really shouldn't go past your hip, and it
should be lifting the paddle up out of the water as it does. Have a look
at this guy.
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pa...ion/Exit.shtml



Thanks for that information and link, Steve. It shows I need to do some
research, video-watching and reading on kayak paddling. I guess I paddle
the kayak like I do a canoe... I'm reaching way across with the off-side
hand and sticking the paddle in almost vertically, then pull myself/my boat
to it. Does anyone make a bent-shaft kayak paddle? ;-)

Thanks again,
desmobob

Per Steve Cramer:
Your hand really shouldn't go past your hip, and it
should be lifting the paddle up out of the water as it does. Have a look
at this guy.
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pa...ion/Exit.shtml

I'm just a duffer, but the word I get from serious paddlers is
that a short stroke like that shown combined with the lack of
torso rotation in the pix will lead to shoulder damage.

The ones I consult say that the paddle should exit the water
further back - but be further back by virtue of torso rotation.

Enough torso rotation feels extreme at first, but becomes natural
with practice. It brings other muscles into play - offloading
the shoulders.
--
PeteCresswell

On 5/1/2010 5:30 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:

I'm just a duffer, but the word I get from serious paddlers is
that a short stroke like that shown combined with the lack of
torso rotation in the pix will lead to shoulder damage.

The ones I consult say that the paddle should exit the water
further back - but be further back by virtue of torso rotation.

A little apples and oranges, here, Pete. I posted those pics to
emphasize the exit, not rotation per se. Frankly, I think he's exiting a
little early, but that's not what most newbies do. I agree that if you
don't rotate, it's bad for your shoulders. I don't agree that serious
paddlers exit farther back. Watch this guy and see how far his right
hand moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lef_ut8n0ms. Greg is a pretty
serious paddler.

This one's a little harder to see, but note that their hands never go
past their hips. And rotation? When you can see their back numbers from
the side, that's rotation.
http://www.youtube.com/v/zs2HQG0HLNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&

Steve

Per Steve Cramer:
Bob, if your hand is coming back far enough to whack that aft clip, you
stroke is too long. Your hand really shouldn't go past your hip, and it
should be lifting the paddle up out of the water as it does. Have a look
at this guy.
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pa...ion/Exit.shtml

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/pro...ngo_140_angler

I think it's blade vs hand.

In the OP, it has the blade exiting at the hips.

In the two clips above (and my own stroke...) the blade exits
astern of the hips, and it's the hand that stops at the hips.
--
PeteCresswell

On 5/3/2010 1:31 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
In the two clips above (and my own stroke...) the blade exits
astern of the hips, and it's the hand that stops at the hips.

Righto.

Steve

"Steve Cramer" wrote in message
...
Bob, if your hand is coming back far enough to whack that aft clip, you
stroke is too long. Your hand really shouldn't go past your hip, and it
should be lifting the paddle up out of the water as it does. Have a look
at this guy.
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pa...ion/Exit.shtml


A little update on my paddling...

I think my seated posture was causing the problem. When I sit perfectly
upright, or better yet, forward a couple of degrees, the onside hand never
wants to go past my hip. I can feel a noticeable difference in efficiency
when I'm forward just a tad. Damn belly gets in the way a little,
though.... ;-)

That link you provided leads to lots of valuable information. I've spent a
good amount of time there trying to learn and improve. Thanks!

Good paddling,
desmobob