BoatBanter.com - Bent-shaft Kayak Paddles, Why?

Mary Malmros wrote:

I've been paddling with a bent-shaft for three seasons now. The
bend never got in the way of my being able to do anything I wanted.

Let's make it clear up front that you're a whitewater paddler, shall we?

I also look at how my hands fit on the ends of my arms and note
that, when they're held with the wrists in a neutral alignment, a
cylindrical object gripped in the hands is not perpendicular to the
plane of my torso, but at an angle. To hold such an object in a
perpendicular alignment -- which must be done if the cylindrical
object is a shaft gripped by both hands -- I must either cock my
wrists (supination, I believe) or move my forearms in from a 90
degree alignment with my upper arms.

Or hold the paddle loosely, primarily with the "ring" formed by the thumb and
forefinger, which is what is taught as proper technique in every instructional
guide I've ever seen.

The difference may be one between touring paddling and whitewater
paddling, but I sure don't have the personal experience to say.
It's probably fair to generalize that whitewater boaters have more
situations when they simply can't afford to let go of the paddle at
all, whereas in touring kayaking, much of the time you can stop, set
your paddle down, etc. You may not want to, but you can.
Whitewater paddling also has more situations where you _need_
maximum power on a stroke: all you can give it, and fast. It's the
difference between a "long slow distance" run and a sprint: it
simply puts different stresses on your body.

That seems like a fair assessment.

--
Regards

Brian