Good point. Very good point. Still, people like what they like. Sometimes it surprises me.
Many donāt want to spend 500 on a paddle and a boat nevermind a paddle.
Especially true if you donāt notice a big difference.
Actually, when I think about it, I donāt have a problem using the less expensive paddle over shorter distances at moderate speeds.
Not me I wouldnāt bother going unless at minimum CF shaft and fiberglass blades.
Good point.
The best way that Iām aware of is to measure distance per stroke.
Too may variables occur over distance, but using how much distance youāre getting with each tick of the blade relative to a specific heart rate is a pretty surefire way to find your sweet spot.
There are a few on the market that would be helpful for you.
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How do people measure the distance that they are getting with each stroke? Please indicate where there is information about these devices.
Measure a length of bulkhead the see how many strokes you took to 100 yards. Then I could take a big paddle and glide between strokes. I would measure under sprint or at least a fast paddling cruise speed for me of about 4.5 mph which I can maintain for three hours steady. I could used house lots on my canal. They are 50ā, 75ā, or 100ā. Then check with the car and gps. Iād video tape myself and count strokes while itās on TV screen. They usually say 1 yard per stroke.
Mapmyrun GPS calls out every 1/4 mile if you want to set it that way. Just video tape yourself and count. I may try it tomorrow.
I would just take the paddles in question and paddleā¦after several times paddling you will find yourself reaching for the paddle that feels the best and works the best for your needsā¦you wont even really have to think about it. You will just grab your favorite and that is what you should use.
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Most every experienced paddler carries a spare paddle. Having paddles that are optimized for different conditions just makes sense.
I donāt bother except in the winter. If I take an Werner Ikelos or Corryvreckan itās fine for any situation Iām in rough or calm. What conditions will they not work in? Other reason
to take one would be on the trip away from home.
Itās not uncommon with racers.
Some GPS will allow you the ability to see a full download of informationā
DPSāDistance Per Stroke
Total Number of Strokes
Heart Rate etc
Vaaka and Motionize make trackers.
I actually have both.
If your interested Iād probably sell as I donāt do much racing anymore.
I agree with roym. My hardest decision was the first paddle, because each successive paddle corrected a deficiency of the previous paddle. Now that you have multiple paddles, use one for a while then switch.
Comparing paddles of a specific style (high or low angle on flat water), I believe that any differences within a price class are so close, the speed is probably minor. The OP mentions efficiency. I assess efficiency by how the paddle flows seamlessly through the stroke cycle. Good paddles will all perform well at 3.5 mph. However, trip speed fluctuates depending on whether itās a on lake, tidal, in river current, or influenced by waves and wind. Itās when the paddle is pushed to extremes that the differences become most apparent and one blade out performs the other - the swing will be less tiring; the better blade will catch and exit more smoothly; it will reach a higher speed in the water without fluttering or generating turbulence (any flutter will create more tension in your grip). As roym mentioned, youāll find that you gravitate to a particular paddle over time. A good paddle will make you feel more connected.
I trade off when Iām with a guest paddler. The only controlled test I was able to do involved max speed during a 30 second interval. Over the course of a lake trip with a guest, I alternated between the Kalliste (643 sq cm) and Camano (650 sq cm). The Kalliste consistently hit a max speed .2 mph over the Camano, which has a 7 sq cm larger blade. Unfortunately, that doesnāt answer the question about efficiency at 3.5 mph.
I doubt you have the ability to measure .2 mph as you described.
Not saying itās scientifically controlled, but believe itās statistically significant. I did the comparison while paddling a lake loop with one of my grandaughters. I rarely paddle lakes and took the time to compare the two paddles, because there was not much wind and no current.
I pushed as hard as I could for 30 seconds to reach maximum speed. The Camano consistently peaked at 5.4 or 5.5 mph; the Kalliste could hit 5.7 mph every time. I rounded the difference to .2 mph. After each test, I paddled a few minutes, switched, and repeated each, five times. After 30 seconds of sustained paddling, I couldnāt hit the peak again without a break. Results were so consistent, I quit after 5 cycles. Whatās interesting is that the Kalliste has less blade area. Over that short duration, I donāt think swing weight would factor in.
You could say, I tried harder with the Kalliste, because it cost twice a much. I canāt disagree, but also wouldnāt benefit from skewing the results. Try it out sometime using two different padddles. Iām curious what you come up with.
Donāt think 30 seconds is enough on a gps. I measure my boats top speed in a canal with no tide or wind. Iāll sprint them for a few minutes over a dozen times in both directions over many days. Endomondo was a good app because at each point I pick on course it tells me the the top speed. I could see the stretch I did top speed for a defined distance no just a spike.
Unfortunately, once you involve a human being with a subjective feeling of the effort they are putting in, you remove all possibility of arriving at a truly objective measurement of efficiency.
One measure, that will still involve a degree of subjectivity, is when your kayak is up to a comfortable cruising speed, with no wind, waves, or current, use a quality GPS and count how many paddle strokes it takes to go 0.1 miles.
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I use a Garmin Colorado 400 with blue chart. I have the sampling rate at the highest setting. All I can say is that the speed changes every one or two seconds.
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