Size *Does* Matter

At least when it comes to paddle length. I went out and paddled a bit over 5 miles in the OC6 with the ladies. I used my 52" Lolo and had a little bit of a funky feeling in my elbow, I think I prefer using my 52" Axel II in the OC6. The morning was truly gorgeous, the sky was a brilliant blue, the steel grey clouds were far off in the distance. It was much warmer than I expected, I actually took off a layer, first time that has happened since October. Many on the crew were peeling off layers during our first break and also wishing we'd worn sunglasses. It was a decent workout but afterwards I was not feeling as though I had worked as hard as I could have/should have so I decided to go out on the OC1.

After we got the OC6 put away I brought out the OC1 and put it together. GPS-check, water bottle-check, new paddle-check. Yes, I finally got the opportunity to use my new paddle, a 50" Helium, it has a smaller surface area than the Axel II blade. It isn't yet part of the Kialoa catalog so I can't include a link for it. OMG! It was a beautiful thing, so light, and I finally realized how big a difference the correct length paddle makes. I've been using the Lolo on the OC1/OC2 and it's felt pretty good, but the Helium feels great. Everything was flowing smoothly, I was hitting a really good rhythm ... and then my cell phone rang. Typically I wouldn't stop to answer the phone, but remember yesterdays post? The CL ad, new string of first dates, etc. It was one of the guys, we had plans to meet this afternoon and I wasn't expecting to hear from him unless there was a change, so I thought I should answer it. He wanted to push back our meeting by an hour if that was ok with me. Sure, no problem, means I can paddle a bit longer, too. OK, phone put away, get back into the rhythm, long, smooth, reach it out, rotate, new paddle feels great. I went north 30 minutes and then turned around and came back, the return only took 25 minutes, went nearly 5 miles. Wow, what a great paddle, both the physical object and the act. That had to be one of my better workouts. Size really does matter, the smaller length and smaller surface area works great for me on the OC1.

Went down to Seward Park to meet that Craigslist respondent, brought the dogs along. I figured if I was going for a walk they should be able to take advantage of it, too. We met and started walking around the loop road chatting the whole way. I found him very easy to talk to and pauses in conversation didn't seem awkward, that's always nice. I hope I'll see him again.

In addiction the first step is admitting you have a problem

I have a problem. Not many people know about it, I try to keep it under wraps, to mixed success ... I love getting new outrigger paddles! No, really, you don't understand, over the course of 2007 I got a used paddle and two new paddles. I've only been involved in outrigger canoeing for 18 months. And now I've just placed another order. I just can't seem to stop myself.

The all wood paddles the club has for use are too heavy, they make my shoulders ache terribly. I bought a used 50" Dave's 99 hybrid (carbon fiber blade, wood shaft) late in 2006. It was so much lighter, it was like paddling a feather. Then I bought a used 52" Axel I hybrid in March 2007. The extra length was a nice improvement, extra reach, nicer for the OC6. Then over the summer I received a mid-year bonus from work, so I bought a brand new 52" Lolo, which has the Axel II blade on a wacky shaft (a double bend shaft, supposed to keep your lower wrist in a neutral position during the reach). And then in the fall after getting a bunch of grief from everyone about 'your paddle doesn't match' and 'you need to have a paddle like everyone else', I ordered a brand new 52" Axel II. I decided to use the Lolo when I'm paddling OC1 or OC2 and the Axel II when I paddle OC6.

So, now I have my eye on buying an OC1, it'll be a while but it's on my list of things to do. JD Davies of Waterwalker was going to be in town with a bunch of OC1 to demo. While testing a variety of OC1 JD mentioned that my paddle appeared too long. He said, "Here try my 50" Helium blade on a wacky shaft". I think he did it on purpose. But I have to admit, it felt good, really good; now I want one, I need one, my life will be incomplete until I have one. I sent Meg from Kialoa an email, they just got their first factory blemished Helium blade, do I want her to hold it for me. She's making it too easy, she's an enabler, it's all her fault, ya blame it on Meg and Dave Chun (Kialoa Paddles), they are the cause of my problem. Bah, if only it were that easy, passing it off on them. In my defense I only buy the factory blemished blades, they have minor cosmetic flaws so are discounted.

So, there you have it. I have a problem, an addiction, I admit it. I'm just not ready to face it, to deal with it, not yet anyway. Certainly not before I get that new Helium paddle.