Peter wrote in message news:QRDub.184415$9E1.989642@attbi_s52...
andrei wrote:
So what I would be looking for is
reccomendations for a better paddle for my wife KEEPING IN MIND THAT
SHE WILL STAY WITH HER CURRENT KAYAK FOR THE TIME BEING. I mean - is
the Tarpon 100 too sluggish to improve on it anyway and are better
paddles only for more advanced kayaks - or might there be a
*reasonably price* (ABSOLUTE MAX 100 dollars) paddle which would
*significantly* improve the kayaking experience for my wife? (or does
the Tarpon 100 make the purchase of a better paddle a useless
endeavor?)

I doubt anyone here can really give you a good answer since we don't know
what's making your wife unhappy about the Carlisle that she's using now.
If she's getting tired from the effort of holding a heavy paddle, then
sure, investing in a lighter one will probably be worthwhile (that's why I
first upgraded my paddle). OTOH, maybe the length isn't quite right for
her - in that case the most important thing would be to get one of the
right length. Some people prefer smaller blades for a smoother feel while
paddling and others like the immediate grip in the water of larger blades -
again, we don't know what your wife may prefer.

Isn't there some kayak store in your area that's on the water so you could
go there with your boats and have your wife try a few different paddles? I
expect she'd be able to determine pretty quickly if an upgrade would result
in more enjoyable paddling.

Hi,

She did not say that she did not like paddle - only that she was
getting tired fairly rapidly. It was me who was looking at the paddle
change option (since we cannot change the kayak) in the hope to help
her. As for shops, there are a couple of shops around here, but they
main interest is *selling* rather than finding a cheap solution. They
position is: sure, get a better paddle. And I am left wondering "is
this worth the 100 extra dollars".

Anyway - thank you all for your inputs!

Cheers

(andrei) writes:

[snip]

She did not say that she did not like paddle - only that she was
getting tired fairly rapidly. It was me who was looking at the paddle
change option (since we cannot change the kayak) in the hope to help
her. As for shops, there are a couple of shops around here, but they
main interest is *selling* rather than finding a cheap solution. They
position is: sure, get a better paddle. And I am left wondering "is
this worth the 100 extra dollars".

Not knowing the stores you're talking about, I can't say. However,
I don't think that a paddling store should automatically be
castigated for resisting what you, an admitted newbie to the sport,
see as a "cheap solution". They might agree with you on the "cheap"
part, but disagree on the "solution" part -- $100 that you spend on
the wrong thing is $100 wasted; so's $30 spent on the wrong thing,
for that matter. And paddling stores ought to be concerned whenever
a customer's emphasis is on "cheap, cheap, cheap" -- and not just
about their bottom line. You can paddle with a crappy paddle; it
might injure you to do so (see previous post), but it won't be
fatal. But there are other kinds of paddling gear decisions where
the insistence on "cheap" could kill you -- for example, if you
decide you can't afford a decent PFD, or proper clothing, or a boat
whose handling capabilities are sufficient for the conditions in
which you plan to paddle. Again, I don't know the stores you're
talking about, and I sure wasn't standing at your elbow when you
went shopping. But paddling stores aren't the same as your local
big-box electronics store, so if they're steering you towards a more
expensive item, you probably ought to at least listen to what they
say without assuming that their only concern is the price tag.

--
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Mary Malmros
Some days you're the windshield,
Other days you're the bug.

andrei wrote:

She did not say that she did not like paddle - only that she was
getting tired fairly rapidly.

She will get stronger with practice. You could tow her when she
needs a rest (this is what I do with my kids).

It was me who was looking at the paddle change option (since we
cannot change the kayak) in the hope to help her.

A lighter paddle of correct length with a more-ideal feather angle
might help. The $30 Carlisle paddles used to have a choice of only
0 or 90 degree feather, which is terrible. Most experienced paddlers
prefer feather angles somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees. Length
should be sufficient to reach the water on both sides of your boat
without a lot of torso rotation.

Bill Tuthill wrote in message
The $30 Carlisle paddles used to have a choice of only
0 or 90 degree feather, which is terrible. Most experienced paddlers
prefer feather angles somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees.

Actually you can tweak the Carlisle paddles to almost any degree of
feather you want. Just have someone sit on one end while you
forcefully rotate the other end.

I agree that either a 0 or a 90 degree feather is pretty bad.

I also agree that a good paddle is a worth while investment.....

but....

I would also check that she is paddling correctly. Most beginners try
to paddle with their arms rather than their torso. Your torso is MUCH
stronger. Make sure she is rotating her body with each stroke. This
is an area where a little time spent with an instructor or just
another experienced paddler could reap some real benifits. You might
also consider getting one of the instructional videos that deal with
the forward stroke. "The Kayaker's Edge" comes to mind but it deals
mostly with whitewater.

My guess is that knowing how to do a proper forward paddle stroke will
have more immediate benifits for both of you than upgrading your
paddle.

Randy

andrei ) writes:

She did not say that she did not like paddle - only that she was
getting tired fairly rapidly. It was me who was looking at the paddle
change option (since we cannot change the kayak) in the hope to help
her. As for shops, there are a couple of shops around here, but they
main interest is *selling* rather than finding a cheap solution. They
position is: sure, get a better paddle. And I am left wondering "is
this worth the 100 extra dollars".

I would not spend more money on another paddle for your wife. If you tie
one end of a rope to the back of your kayak and the other end to the front
of your wife's kayak she will be much happier with her paddle, and you
will get even more enjoyment out of your paddling.

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