SOME QUALITATIVE COMPARISONS OF BENT AND STRAIGHT CANOE PADDLING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The bent paddle has become popular, not only among racers, but also among touring and recreational paddlers. The makers claim that the bent paddle keeps its pushing surface at a 900 angle to the water during the most powerful part of the stroke for a longer period of time than the straight paddle, thus maximizing horizontal propulsive forces. The paucity of literature on the bent paddle suggested that a pilot study was needed. It was the purpose of the present study to compare bent and straight paddles, while being used in the bow of the canoe, at both slow (touring) and fast (racing) paces.