Evolution of the Paddle
Extract from Paddlers Guide to Outrigger Canoeing
With the passing of time, the form of the paddle has narrowed down to one primary concern, efficiency as a tool of propulsion over water. In this respect, the changes have been enormous and exhaustive in every single facet of their creation. Once carved from a single solid slab of timber, today’s paddles are largely constructed from a variety of timber types and synthetics, positioned within shaft and blade with careful consideration and precision.
In ancient times throughout the Pacific, the paddle was in the context of warfare, both a means of propulsion and a weapon. The blade face was often used to shield and protect the warrior’s face and body from thrown objects. The blade edge was used to chop down and cut at their opponents, while the shaft end was often used as a staff or long-bo as used in martial arts. Some designs from around the Pacific could have doubled as spears, with razor-sharp blade tips and edges.
ENTRY
As the blade enters the water, it should do so in a way that minimises energy waste; splash and excessive bubbles of air around the blade. Clean entry is vital. Air tends to be dragged down with the blade as it is pushed into the water, especially along the back-face of the paddle. Excessive air drawn down the blade greatly reduces the paddle's efficiency, leads to cavitation and reduces its grip on the water. While the paddler is largely responsible for ‘clean placement’, the blade design can either hinder or assist in this respect.
GRIP
The paddle must ‘grip’ the water so an effective pull can be generated. This has led to the analogy of a paddle acting as an anchor; the paddle remains anchored or fixed as the canoe is pulled up to its level through the water.
EXIT
When you remove the blade from the water, you want to minimise energy loss by both the paddler and paddle. This is achieved by exiting the blade from the water at the earliest opportunity after the power-phase of the stroke, even if some of the propulsive power is lost from the end of the stroke.
If you pull the blade too far past your body, it slows your potential stroke rate down and uses unnecessary energy, as the critical and most powerful part of your stroke has already been made. Once the blade passes your hip, your pull becomes a push; a much less effective use of both blade and body. [This relates only to team technique, not to OC1 or OC2, where some ‘push’ may be an advantage as used in marathon canoe river paddling.]
The larger the surface area of the paddle, the greater the drag or resistance will be during the exit part of the stroke. The solution for this is to reduce the surface area of the blade, particularly its length. A short blade length; 18” (45.72cms) measured from the tip to the neck of the shaft, will mean that the blade is not buried so deep in the water and can be exit-ed and re-entered with smaller movements and with less energy expenditure.
DESIGN AND SUITABILITY
Outrigger paddling is an endurance sport and it is essential that you can manage your paddle efficiently for long periods of time, in a way that is comfortable and effective, avoiding undue fatigue and a reduction in performance. When selecting a paddle, you need to take into account your individual requirements which are determined by your physical attributes, your paddling style and the type of va`a you are paddling.