Is there a difference between total weight and swing weight?
Can the shoulder be fixed?… Better option.
Total weight is objectively defined and, in the case of kayak paddles, can be measured with my kitchen scale that I use for my coffee every morning.
Swing weight is not objectively defined and to my knowledge cannot be measured.
Coffee and kayak paddles, now we talking…
Before I ask another question, what exactly do people mean when they refer to “Swing Weight”? What is it?
I never used the term myself, so I can’t speak for others. Even though I used the term “oomph” earlier, I generally try to stay away from terms that are not well-defined. Those who use the term should define it.
I assume it to mean the feelings of gravity, momentum, and centrifugal force that result from flinging the blades through the air and side-to-side as you paddle. I.e., factors other than pure total weight.
Perhaps one factor in swing weight is blade weight vs. shaft weight. I suspect that, unintuitively, a heavier shaft can give a better impression of overall balance in some cases. Of course it’s very subjective (probably also dependent on your height, arm length, shoulder width, general buffness, etc.) and many/most paddles don’t have detachable blades to measure separately or experiment with.
Perhaps it can be defined by others that use it and consider it relatively important. But as you said, just weight of any kind in and of itself is not the whole picture and perhaps a bit overrated. It is the ease of which it pulls through the water and what pressure it puts on different body parts. Sounds like design is just as important.
Thanks
mjac
In theory a blade is not to be pulled thru the water. The blade is suppose to be planted in the water and the boat is pulled up to the planted paddle. In theory!
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This the real world…
@skeggy_boi you described overall weight and swing weight accurately. The higher you lift the paddle, the more influencial overall weigh matters, because it’s being lifted. In high angle stroke, the paddle and your arms swing from about the waist to over your head as much as 40 to 60 times a minute. That static weight matters less with low angle.
For anyone who thinks a few ounces of weight is insignificant and hyperbole, sit in a tall chair that clears the floor and mimic your paddle stroke for a full minute, then an hour, then four hours, then eight. Take a break and then repeat the same exercise with the paddle. By adding 5 ounces to each side, you should appreciate the difference as the exercise progresses. If you don’t send any difference, you could just. save money by using a cheaper paddle.
Keep in mind that the exercise has nothing to do with with blade design/profile, square inch area, or paddle length, boat resistance, or any inefficiency in your paddling technique. That also must be felt. What each paddler feels is very different and based onan idividial’s physical stature and strength.
Swing weight is about weight balanced. Although two paddles could have the same weight, where that weight is applied will influence swing weight. Different brands have a dedicated following because paddlers admire different features. As mentioned above, the higher you lift the paddle, the more overall weight matters; the faster you swing it, the more you’ll swing value low swing weight. The longer the distance (transition) between your exit and catch, the more you will probaly appreciate a lower swing weight, because the lighter weight allows quicker acceleration and the ability to slow the momentum for a more accurate catch. However, a strong racer in a short race needs greater shaft strength with less flex, and a white water paddler need a heavy blade that resists impact, yet regardless, neither paddler would probably put as high a value on swing weigh as on strength and rigidity. A more rythemic stroke cycle improves control, but that depends on the paddler’s finite muscle control. The longer a low angle paddle becomes, the harder it is to control placement. That means not only greater fine motir skills but greater core strength for torso rotation.
Weight distribution is decided by the manufacturer and needs vary depending on kayaking style. For example, paddling in surf or moving large cargo loads requires a stiffer shaft to resist bending. While solo paddling over long distances might benefit from a higher cadence, a lighter paddle, lower square inch blade area which offers lighter swing weight, and a racer will want a different design altogether. A stong paddler needs rigidity, while a moderate strength paddler paddler could use lighter construction than a powerful paddler like @szihn, who has broken a number of paddles. I’m satisfied with the stiffness of the Kalliste, and although it’s a light paddle, I haven’t broken one yet, nor has Steve. Maybe the flutter he experiences is the manufacturers way of dumping energy before it breaks. The Aqua Bound Eagle is heavier but it allows him to apply greater power without signs of degraded performance. We both appreciate the qualities of both brands, but we each get more satisfaction with a different paddle.
Although I’m a strong paddler, Steve’s power curve is more instantaneous, while I build power slowly and focus on maintaining glide. We both appreciate the Kalliste, but we each look for different traits in a paddle design. I value the lower swing weight of the Kalliste. While Steve appreciates that aspect, he places a higher value on strength and versatility. He gets adequate performance from the Eagle at a fraction of the cost. The Kalliste is an exceptional paddle, but I believe it requires a fairly exact and controlled technique to realize the best advantage. The Aqua Bound series is much more forgiving, which is why it appealing as an introductory paddle, yet it delivers high level performance.
The moral of the story is that one paddle does not fit all. Overall weight is obvious and measurable, but swing weight is felt and will feel different for each paddler depending on technique and needs. A casual paddler probably cares less about any of it.
@steevey you are correct, and the theory doesn’t need a qualifier, because it’s so elementary to have to explain that all paddles slip. Duh! The one that provides the most resistance and manages to lever the boat forward with the least slippage is essentially the best paddle. However, taken to extremes, that suggests that the best paddle might have blades that are at least twice the cross section of the submerged portion of the kayak.
No two paddlers apply power equally, execute the same technique as effectively, have the same endurance, or use muscle strength the same way.
There is no perfect paddle, best paddle, or go to paddle. The paddler gets to decide. My paddle preference has changed at least least seven times (three times was with the same paddle model). Acceleration is enhanced by a blade with a larger square inch surface area, while endurace favors smaller blades for less effort, yet the smaller blade can reach incrementally higher speeds by increasing cadence and maintaining momentum. It just depends on personal preference.