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6.1 What are outrigger paddles made from?
Predominantly timber, but things are changing in this area.
Solo outrigger canoeists are favouring extremely lightweight
paddles as light as 9oz constructed from exotic material,
generally carbon fibre and based on Olympic "C" Class designs.
However for six person canoeing, timber paddles are still
favoured. Constructed from timber laminates a well made
paddle is a work of art. The skill is in manufacturing a
lightweight paddle that's strong, durable and of course
hydrodynamically efficient. New generation 'hybrid' paddles
are now becoming in demand - a blend of wood and exotic
materials.
Once again depending where you are, some rules will state
that only timber paddles may be used. In Australia and Canada
you can paddle with a paddle of any material.
6.2 What timbers for paddle construction?
This will vary upon availability, price and the manufacturers
location. Their are definitely preferred timbers, favoured
for there strength to weight ratio; as strong and as light
as possible. These timbers include in ascending order of
weight; Western Red Cedar, White Pine, White Cedar, Northern
White Spruce, Sitka Spruce, Cypress, Douglas Fir and White
Ash. The heavier, hard woods are preferred for blade tips
and edging and as laminates for in particular, steerer's
paddles. Shafts are often made from laminated strips of
Oak, Ash, Koa and Sitka Spruce. Other timbers include Purple
Heart and Koa.
Purple Heart has a beautiful colour which when combined
with a white timber, creates a beautiful affect. Koa, a
native Hawaiian timber is heavy and strong and often used
sparingly to give strength and stiffness to shafts and blades,
though sometimes solid Koa shafts are constructed.
In island regions of Oceania, many common commercial timbers
are unavailable and so local timbers are used and these
can include in particular hau (Hawaii) or sea mangrove which
grows in many parts of Oceania. Many paddles in Tahiti are
constructed from such timber, having often a curious green
tinge. The timber is lightweight and strong and was traditionally
used for many applications including the making of fishing
net floats and outrigger floats (ama).
6.3 Are super lightweight paddles always the way
to go?
The only time that super lightweight paddles
can be hard to handle is in strong winds. Because they are
so light they do not have any inherent inertia so that the
paddler can end up wrestling with the blade trying to control
it, whilst a heavier timber blade can be more controllable.
Then again experienced users of lightweight synthetic paddles,
tend to swear by them in any condition.
Exotic paddles are more expensive to repair, but generally
very tough to begin with. Either way, light is best it seems
but as with many other considerations in the sport of outrigger
canoeing, the traditional element and the use of timber
is an issue that is central to the sport. Timber has that
certain feel you just can't replace.
6.4 Are steering paddles different from regular
paddles?
Yes. Steering paddles tend to have larger blade areas and
may be straight shafted. The steerer's paddle has to act
much like a rudder and therefore needs to be constructed
tougher to handle the sideways stresses that it experiences.
In particular the shaft has to be strong. Steerers will
often have a quiver of paddle sticks to cater for a variety
of conditions, for rough and smooth water, sprints and distance
races and some will actually change paddle types throughout
a race, where a support boat is present, to cater for the
change in ocean conditions.
6.5 How do paddlers paddles differ?
There are many varieties of paddle on the market and the
major designs include: straight shaft, bent shaft and double
bent shaft paddles. The bend being referred to, is a design
principal first introduced to outrigger canoeing during
the late 1970's, but originated during the early seventies
for "marathon" canoe racing, predominently in midwestern
USA and Canada. The shaft is angled at the point at which
it joins the blade, in an attempt to make the blade in the
water more efficient throughout the length of the stroke,
especially the later part. Olympic "C" class paddlers might
well benefit from a bent shaft, but the rules apparently
prohibit it.
The double bent shaft is not only angled at the blade but
also further up the shaft so as the grip is angled closer
to the top hand. The bend at the lower shaft, puts the wrist
at a more comfortable angle reducing fatigue. Straight shaft
paddles, are generally preferred by steerers.
6.6 How many degrees bend do bent shaft paddles have?
Varies accordingly, but between 5 and 14
degrees.
6.7 Should all paddlers in the canoe have
the same paddle designs?
In terms of shaft to blade angle it appears the answer is
yes (excluding the steerer). In terms of blade width, there
is a theory which runs along the lines that the stroke can
have a narrower blade width than the rest of the crew, as
they pull the cleanest water and that blade widths can increase
by 1cm per seat position as you move to the back of the
canoe. In short though, widths and overall blade areas should
be similar throughout, as radically wider blades will behave
differently in the water than narrower and may affect the
paddlers ability to mirror the stroke rate.
The length of the shaft according to paddlers height, will
naturally also differ, but it is the shaft to blade angle
and blade area which would appear to directly affect the
potential to synchronise and mirror technique throughout
the canoe. Paddle design in general is a complex topic,
involving biodynamics and hydrodynamics and theories vary. |
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