paddle
A paddle is used to move a boat by means of arm muscle power, paddling . In contrast to the straps and the scull , paddles without counter bearings on the boat are freely guided with the arms. The paddler usually sits facing the direction of travel.
Types
A distinction is made between:
- two paddle blades: double paddles when kayaking
- a paddle blade: Stechpaddel the Canadians , dragon boat , outrigger canoe , standing paddling , boat , including rafting ; also makeshift propulsion for sailing boats when there is no wind
use
The paddle is used as the sole or primary means of propulsion and steering on canoes and many inflatable boats. Paddles in particular are also used by many different other boats, there as auxiliary or emergency propulsion. For example, in sailing boats are paddle here pagaie or Petschel or wooden wind called for maneuvering in port or at doldrums used.
The paddle is inserted into the water with the blade in front, and then the boat is pulled past the paddle blade. At the end of the movement, the paddle blade is pulled out of the water again (see also paddle stroke ).
Sometimes a boat is only steered with the paddle (large Canadians and some outrigger canoes).
construction
Paddles consist of:
- Paddle knob (single paddle only)
- Paddle shaft
- Stem root
- Paddle blade
- Blade shoulder
- Sheet edge
Paddle knob
The paddle knob is the upper end of the shaft on a single paddle. Two designs are common: the palm pommel , as it is mainly used with wooden paddles, and the T-pommel (also called " spade handle "). The knob is used to control the paddle blade adjustment.
Double paddles do not have a knob. A divisible double paddle can, however, be converted into two single paddles by using two shaft pieces with a knob.
Paddle paddles, which are offered as motorboat and yacht accessories, sometimes have a knob shaped into a catch hook.
Paddle shaft
In a double paddle, the paddle shaft connects the two paddle blades with one another. In the case of a paddle, the paddle blade is attached to one side and a handle to the paddle shaft on the other side.
Most paddle shafts are straight and round. However, there are also special shafts that have a kinked shaft or an oval tube. The oval tube in the grip area makes it easier to guide the paddle, especially in whitewater .
The correct shaft diameter is particularly important for children, but also for paddlers with smaller hands.
The shaft length is the most important criterion for the right paddle size, and should be chosen according to the body size and arm length. However, many manufacturers still specify the total length of the paddle, including the blade length, which can be very different depending on the use (hiking or whitewater paddle).
Stem root
The stem root, sometimes also called the leaf root, is the transition from the stem to the leaf. Harmonious changes in cross-section are important here, so that the forces when paddling can be passed on between the shaft and blade and there are no tension peaks. The product quality of a paddle can be estimated from the design of the shaft root. With paddles from the low-price segment, the leaf root only extends a few centimeters into the leaf. The transition from the shaft cross-section to the blade is comparatively rapid. High-quality paddles have a blade root that, with a uniform cross-section, extends up to half the blade length or even further, with various designs up to the blade edge. In wooden paddles, the shaft root is often nothing more than a thickening of the paddle blade.
Paddle blade
The paddle blade is the outer end of the paddle with the double paddle, the lower end with the single paddle and is attached to the paddle shaft via the shaft root. The design of the paddle blade can be very different and is strongly influenced by the intended purpose and area of use. For use in white water z. B. the paddle blades are rather short and wide, for large open waters rather narrow and long.
Paddle blades can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, with the term symmetrical having different meanings for kayaks and Canadians. Grooved single paddle paddles are considered asymmetrical, as there is a clear front and back. Double paddles are considered asymmetrical if the blade shape is different on both sides of the shaft's longitudinal axis.
The front side of the paddle blade is the side on which the water pressure acts during the paddle stroke. The front therefore usually points backwards when paddling.
Blade shoulder
The upper or inner end of the paddle blade, on both sides of the shaft root, is called the blade shoulder. With paddles that are used more in white water, there is often a "standing" shoulder in order to obtain a large leaf surface even with a short blade. Open water paddles have more of a "hanging" shoulder with a very shallow angle between the shoulder and the shaft. The traditional Eskimo paddle, with its very long and narrow blade with a heavily sloping shoulder, is the extreme form. Paddles with a sloping shoulder can be guided much closer to the ship's side.
Sheet edge
The outer or lower end of the paddle blade is the blade edge. It is subject to high mechanical stress when it comes into contact with the ground (unintentionally when paddling in white water or shallow water ; intentionally when staking ). Therefore, the edge of the leaf is often reinforced.
The edge protection is partly designed as a metal rail (attached U-profile or integrated metal strip), partly as a plastic edge made of impact-resistant material. Some of the noble wooden paddles have an integrated hardwood strip. With plastic sheets, depending on the material used, edge protection made of a special material is not necessary. The edge protection can then be designed as a special shape (e.g. thickening).
A damaged blade edge can lead to a noticeable loss of efficiency when paddling.
materials
The traditional material for paddles is wood . Even in arctic areas where there was no forest of their own, paddles were made from wood - here mostly from driftwood. Nowadays, however, mainly plastics (for example GRP , CFRP , polyester , aramid (Kevlar), polyurethane foam ( RIM ), polystyrene , or polyamide (nylon)) are used for paddles (especially for double paddles) , as these are more robust - which is particularly important in the Whitewater is important - and some are also easier. Aluminum tubing is sometimes used for shafts . Wood is still very common as a material for paddling.
literature
- Gary McGuffin, Joanie McGuffin: The fascination of canoeing. Heel-Verlag, Königswinter 2000, ISBN 3-89365-849-1 .
