Is there any evidence that wing blades improve your speed for sea kayak racing?
 

Just wondering if there is unequivical evidence that wing blades work.
I did my first race this week averaging around 6min30 sec for 6 kms.
How much faster can go with wing blades. Im using a soltice gt. Also, i
cant really move my knees up and down in the soltice as cockpit is so
confining.

Is there any evidence that wing blades improve your speed forsea kayak racing?
 

ace wrote:
Just wondering if there is unequivical evidence that wing blades work.
I did my first race this week averaging around 6min30 sec for 6 kms.
How much faster can go with wing blades. Im using a soltice gt. Also, i
cant really move my knees up and down in the soltice as cockpit is so
confining.

Go google 'wing paddle efficiency' and you'll find numbers from 4-5% to
10+%. The difference isn't just in the paddle efficiency, though.
Paddling correctly with a wing is a different style than with a
conventional paddle - pure, plain and simple. And a wing paddle rewards
proper technique and *punishes* poor technique.
Solstice GT is probably not the 1st boat that comes to mind for racing.
The cockpit is keyholed to be tight, excellent for touring and touring
bracing, but not really designed for the free body movement preferred by
most racers. The Solstice is designed to lock you in, not let you flex.
Congratulations on your race. That's a very respectable time. How did
it compare to the other boats?

Marsh

Is there any evidence that wing blades improve your speed for sea kayak racing?
 

I was 10th out of 37. Three single kayaks beat me and the rest were
double kayaks or surf skis. Most people who are race minded are using
surf skis and they did the 12 km race. THere was a 6 and 12 km race.
Looking at the history it seems like you only need a 5.5 kilometer to
win the short races. I was racing like my life depended on it and I
suspect a lot of people were taking it pretty easy. It's a weekly race.

I bought a wing blade today ( SET, endorfin; $374) . It was recommended
by the guy who teaches the power paddling courses. I used it for a
couple hours today. I didnt have any problem getting used to it even
though it is 14 cms shorter than my old paddle. (216cm vs 230cm). I
couldnt tell you if it makes me faster.


Marsh Jones wrote:
ace wrote:
Just wondering if there is unequivical evidence that wing blades work.
I did my first race this week averaging around 6min30 sec for 6 kms.
How much faster can go with wing blades. Im using a soltice gt. Also, i
cant really move my knees up and down in the soltice as cockpit is so
confining.

Go google 'wing paddle efficiency' and you'll find numbers from 4-5% to
10+%. The difference isn't just in the paddle efficiency, though.
Paddling correctly with a wing is a different style than with a
conventional paddle - pure, plain and simple. And a wing paddle rewards
proper technique and *punishes* poor technique.
Solstice GT is probably not the 1st boat that comes to mind for racing.
The cockpit is keyholed to be tight, excellent for touring and touring
bracing, but not really designed for the free body movement preferred by
most racers. The Solstice is designed to lock you in, not let you flex.
Congratulations on your race. That's a very respectable time. How did
it compare to the other boats?

Marsh