it seems that composite paddles are 'too light' to use effectively for teams doing long strokes during maintenance. I personally feel that the paddle's weight causes it to 'rock' left n right upon a long deep stroke. But they are sure useful during short strokes when charging. What do you guys think?
hmm...I would have thought that the socalled "rocking" of the blade in water is due to the inability to overcome the water resistance in a clean sweep...rather than the weight of the blade. Weight of the blade is more likely to affect the recovery phase - which just means that a lighter blade is more advantageous.
The 'flutter' of the paddle is due to dynamic instability from votices formed behind the paddle blade and the inability of the user to address these forces.
To reduce the flutter, a paddle with a dihedral angle (eg a spine, like with the apex) is preferred.
You can read the patent for the rib to prevent paddle flutter here.
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT6796862&id=6usQAAAAEBAJ&dq=6796862It is more a fluid dynamics issue associated with poor paddle design with no RnD.
braca sport paddles arte by far the best IDBF paddles as they have incorporated R n D and have included a region behind the blade that covers up the region where the vortices would otherwise cause problems. their dragon paddles were developed using the RnD that was used for their C paddles. also, they are super stiff and amazingly light.
veyr, very popular in Macau.
Their local agent is Tropical Fibreglass, a canoe company.
