10 Winter BWJ (Read 7450 times)
solotripper
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #10 - Mar 6th, 2019 at 1:45pm
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I just need to quit wringing my hands and whining and find a way to spend more time on the water.


This is when that Double Paddle shines IF you can get comfortable with it?

When I have to cross a large stretch of open water in the Spring, I want to get across as fast as I can.

I stop for a minute and drink a cup of water and eat a handful of trail mix heavy on the dried FRUIT. Dark chocolate would do it too.

I hit the open water at the fastest pace I know I can maintain for say a good 15 minutes. You can cover a lot of water in 15-20 minutes at a good clip.

This is where that muscle endurance paddlers want to have come's in.

Nothing is MORE scary than to be caught in open water, the wind is picking up and you're out of gas. Cry Cry Grin

  
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TomT
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #11 - Mar 6th, 2019 at 3:36pm
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I agree ST.  I can manage waves much better with a double blade.  I usually get on the water 6-7 times before a trip and paddle for 1 & half - 2 hours working on endurance with the double blade.  Gotta work those specific muscles before you go or day 2 and 3 will be painful.

  
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solotripper
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #12 - Mar 6th, 2019 at 5:08pm
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TomT wrote on Mar 6th, 2019 at 3:36pm:
I agree ST.  I can manage waves much better with a double blade.  I usually get on the water 6-7 times before a trip and paddle for 1 & half - 2 hours working on endurance with the double blade.  Gotta work those specific muscles before you go or day 2 and 3 will be painful.



People who are lucky enough to be able to spend all season on the water can do just as well with their single paddle solo as I do with my double.

But for the ones that only get a trip maybe 2 a year and don't paddle the rest of the year, that double IF you can handle it is a blessing.

You see more and more solo paddlers bring them along and even some tandem paddlers.

Not for everybody, nothing is but if you're open-minded it's worth a look. I would buy a cheap one like my Mohawk paddle rather than an expensive one that you end up selling because it's NOT for you.
  
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TomT
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #13 - Mar 6th, 2019 at 7:50pm
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I’ve settled on a double and a carbon bent shaft for solo trips. I use the single for fishing or creeks/rivers. The double is great on travel days. Someday I’ll get a carbon double. I now use a bending branches “slice” paddle that’s plastic and fiberglass I believe.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #14 - Mar 6th, 2019 at 8:32pm
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TomT wrote on Mar 6th, 2019 at 7:50pm:
I’ve settled on a double and a carbon bent shaft for solo trips. I use the single for fishing or creeks/rivers. The double is great on travel days. Someday I’ll get a carbon double. I now use a bending branches “slice” paddle that’s plastic and fiberglass I believe.


I like the idea of a lightweight carbon paddle for a single. But since I use my bulletproof Mohawk double for a walking stick when I'm carrying that 21 day food pack, I don't think a carbon double is in my future anytime soon.  Wink Grin Grin

I'll just have to keep hitting the weights so that Mohawk " 4 x 4" feels like a "sports car".
  
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hoaf
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #15 - Mar 11th, 2019 at 2:41am
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solotripper wrote on Mar 6th, 2019 at 1:45pm:
When I have to cross a large stretch of open water in the Spring, I want to get across as fast as I can.

+1
I always feel a slight sense of "dread" when I encounter a large expanse of open water to cross in the early spring, and I really hoof it until I'm back in close proximity to shore.  On every trip, wind is my greatest fear by far.

Recently listened to the WTIP podcast about a couple and their dog that capsized on Nym late fall last year and every time I hear about something like that it causes me to pause and re-think my choice of paddling times.  Typically I'm on the water within a day or three of ice-out.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Winter BWJ
Reply #16 - Mar 11th, 2019 at 3:14am
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Typically I'm on the water within a day or three of ice-out.


  Sometimes Ice Out fools you.  Wink
Scroll down to May 14th first day of trip. Grin Grin


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