Newer paddlers may wonder the advantages and disadvantages of high vs. low angle stroke. Of course there’s the argument about how one technique helps the kayak travel straighter or has more power. Many white water paddlers prefer high angle because its familiar, but there’s a way to decide if you look at the arc of the paddle cycle for both styles and adapt it to your physical attributes. For example:
Paddling high angle with a 213cm (84 in) long paddle, the paddle plunges 18 inches below the water, and the other blade is somewhere in the air through the stroke. At the end of the stroke, the off side arm travels high across your body, lifting the weight of your arm and the paddle, while the blade flings a little water at the end (one pint only weighs about one pound). As the power blade clears the water, the upper blade crosses from a high position (with the power blade being 18" below water until reemerges from below the water surface, where it reaches nearly 84 inches overhead. It then drops from overhead to power on the other side of the boat and plunges 18 inches. The long swinging arc means the paddle is lifted around 102 inches (depending on how verticle the paddle is angled with each alternating stroke). A shorter paddle reduces the arc the blades have to swing so that increases the cadence (probably starting around 50 strokes per minute and up). The higher you cadence, the more your arms cross your chest, the more constricted your rib cage, the more aneorobic your energy conversion, and the more you develop your biceps. It’s a powerful stroke and helps tracking, but there’s a lot of articulation in the shoulders joint. A surgeon explained that I had a lot of micro tears in the muscles of my shoulder due to repetative stress. Unsure of the cause, just that it was evident and contributed to permanent damage, detached tendons and advanced porosity of the bone in the joint when sepsis settled in the injury.
The low angle technique has drawbacks, but it allows a higher cadence starting around 60 strokes per minute and as high as 80 spm. The reason is the non-power blade doesn’t have to go as high in the air as it’s swinging through the paddle cycle. The higher cadence theoritically makes up for the lower square inch surface area of the low angle/touring blade, making it easier on the joints. A further benefit to your joints is less shoulder articulation, especially if you adopt a rigid paddler box and focus on keeping that box fixed through isometric tension. The result is far less stress on shoulder joints and the wrists, because the wrists remain fixed on the shaft.
Both high and low angle have advantages and disadvantages; it’s up to each paddler to decide which style to use. One tracks straighter and delivers more power but tends to be more anerobic. The other is easier on joints and works better over longer distances because it’s more aerobic. A higher cadence makes up a little of the difference for paddle blades thst have less surface area. A flatter paddling arc is not only faster between alternating strokes, but it opens the chest area for easier breathing.
From exchanging information with one forum member, I found he’s able to generate incredible speeds; however, I can no longer use high angle due to limited range of motion and arthritis in my left shoulder.
Low angle presents no problem for me, so I teamed with two other forum members to enhance my understanding of technical aspects of low angle. They’ve helped me advance far more than I could have anticipated. Much of the key to improvement is in analyzing blisters, muscle pain, ways to eliminate flutter in the paddle, swapping paddles (on partnered trips, we simply swapped a 240 cm and 250 cm paddle to assess which felt stiffer, offered more control, impacted cadence, facilitated breathing, placed greater demands on joints, or just felt more comfortable), and simply watching each other cycle through the paddling arc. I enjoy solo paddling, but found that regardless of kayaking experience, other paddling companions bring a unique perspective to expose inefficiency and poor form. Whether you’re an advanced paddler or a novice, everone is capable of contributing valuable insight.
If you’re new and undecided, partner with another paddler using different style paddles, and don’t be afraid to share your opinion.
