Congratulations Ivan! Love the concept and how clearly you present the problem and the solution. I look forward to being able to add a Featherweight to my paddle at some point. Thanks for always thinking about how you can help the paddle racing community. I hope we make it worth the effort!
Back in 1985 late great Milan Janic had problem with light weight Swedish old type carbon shift plastic paddle. He filled bottom of the blade with lead to improve his catch. He had always been ahead of time.
Thèse are brilliant. Having been a slalom, polo and WW paddler for 45 years I found the torque effect of wings on my very experienced wrists was painful. These weights have removed that soreness immediately. Oddly the paddles feel no heavier with the weights on. I really can’t recommend these highly enough, albeit I understand that those having got used to the feel of wings might not find the transformation as great as I did.
Wow, this is exactly the issue I've had for so many years. Getting stiff forearms from counter-rotating, even when the rest of the body is relatively fresh! Excited hear more about this!
If you are using a feathered paddle with one control and one release hand and are experiencing stiff forearms in both arms, then it seems something else is causing your problem because the forces and grip needed to counteract the blade flop are applied only with the control hand and should not affect the arm of your release hand.
Exciting work, wonder how what a different that makes for longer surfski tours or races. Surprising that no one has tried to solve that problem before for the wing paddles.
A very simple concept solving a big problem, well explained. Thank you very much for sharing. I can see users of wing paddles adapting it fairly quickly. Now I'm curious what's the functional weight of my Bracia 7 725, 210cm I got from you 😇 - feathered at 60deg right handed. See you on the water, possibly. 👍
Great idea and would be very interested- however I feel it would need to be redesigned for use in ocean paddling, as that weight would be very dangerous near your face if you are punching through a wave on the way out. Are you looking to make it safe for ocean use?
Ivan. This is great stuff. Thanks as I have not sorted my paddle out yet. I think this would help. Warning, newbie type question below and sorry if you have answered in other clips. Can you suggest a non-subjective method to establish / set offset angle and paddle length?. The “try this and that see how it feels” doesn’t seem to work as I get no specific data, I can’t tell either way when I have used it for a small length of time. On a recent paddle of 20k. I stopped half way for a snack. My 30 degrees and 211cm ( Epic Mid Wing) was reset to 205 and I twisted it to ~45 deg when I stuck the paddle in the sand. I didn’t realise it at all until I finished and packed it all away. Ps I’m no sprinter, my typical is 10-20k @ 10-12 kph and avg 35s/m. Appreciate if you can advise…
What if you had a bent/bowed shaft in the centre then you could add a flush weight minimising protrusion. The bend in the shaft would off set some of the mass before adding weight? That would obviously not be an aftermarket option, as this is.
It would work but it would would also have to be a specific bend to account for the blade size, feather angle and blade type. I can’t see the paddle manufacturers being able , or willing , to produce a specific shaft for each scenario.
The added weight is somewhat nullified by the fact that it's not out at the tips, which would add to the swing weight. So, was this concept borrowed from archery ?
That's an intriguing thought! I have one concern, though, if you'll allow. When you counter-weigh the rotational force of the paddle incurred by it's rotational imbalance, you will add the exact additional rotational inertia that it already has through the imbalance -- i.e., the rotational inertia you'll have to overcome to rotate the paddle doubles (while of course the paddle is in balance statically). Given that you'll have to overcome this doubled inertia twice per stroke (starting, then stopping the rotation for left stroke, same for right), and that the paddle is fairly self-supported while in the water, I am extremely curious how this plays out in practice. Would you grant me the freedom to try this out myself with a bootleg version of the design?
Sure. Go ahead. I am confident you will see that issue does not arise. Drop me a DM and I will send you a set up video, to help you position your mock up.
TY. Very interesting. Question can’t they design a paddle that is equally weighted???? Also an idea. Simply increase the length of the connector to the weight. Thus the weight could be reduced!!!
For us older paddlers, innovations like this are really welcome as we try to minimise injury. On a slightly separate note, I personally think that many paddlers have blades that are too big for them. I think this is due to the fact that people quite often get the same paddle as top end paddlers who are stronger and fitter. The evidence for this is when you see paddlers with really slow stroke rates. This may potentially be also causing injury (and making them slower). Just wondering what your thoughts are on this?
How heavy is you weight? Looks like about 100g. Did you estimate the extra momentum of the heavier paddle? Does your solution have any benefits in comparison to wrapping?
@@ultimatekayaks6499the tape wrapped around the shaft: ua-cam.com/video/HDx4w77A9bs/v-deo.html It has a good grip and the bump under it helps to position the blade.
Folks can argue the theoretical pros and cons of this back and forth but the proof is in the testing of this for yourselves and see if it simply feels better. I am sure Ivan has satisfied himself that it feels better with, than without. Is the retail model less likely to look like it could poke you in the eyes, or stab you in the chest?
I have been testing for nearly two years. Faster? I am not going to claim it make anyone go faster. What it does do, as I said in the video, it gives you a lot more security over the last 50m of your 1000m when everything starts to feel bad. So it may well reduce your decline in speed at this part of the race. All boat and paddle manufacturers claim added speed but I am too old and cynical to do the same!
Great idea, but probably only practical for a sprinter. Any form of marathion racing and the counterweight is a safety hazard and is at risk of being knocked off.
So far, primarily tested by marathon paddlers, ranging from Junior internationals to old guys doing the 125 miles of Devizes to Westminster with 70 + portages. Seems ok so far. No fatalities and no mishaps.
@@ultimatekayaks6499 compared to the linear and rotational forces one needs to apply to the paddle during the active part of the stroke, the out-of-water portion seems insignificant. At near zero feather I don't feel any effort to rotate the paddle into place. I'm probably just not good enough to notice that level of detail...
At 9:25 he says, "This paddle has now become weightless." If the paddle had become weightless he could hold it up, let it go, and it would not fall to the floor! With the addition of the counterweight the paddler actually has to lift more total weight during each recovery. This total weight increase plus the inconvenience of having the counterweight sticking out from the paddle shaft must have been shown in testing to be offset by the reduction in effort needed to prepare for the next stroke, or he wouldn't be out here talking it up on the internet🙂
I don't think it will make any difference to the weight lifted as it is in the centre rather than the ends. However, rotational forces are not eliminated because there is always rotational inertia to overcome, in both directions to make the catch and now that has been increased.
@@williamlawrenson8345 this is not the experience in reality. The amount of force used to turn the shaft is essentially zero. Come and see me next time you are at an event and you will feel how it works.
Congratulations Ivan! Love the concept and how clearly you present the problem and the solution.
I look forward to being able to add a Featherweight to my paddle at some point. Thanks for always thinking about how you can help the paddle racing community. I hope we make it worth the effort!
It's been a while since we've seen innovation like this....thanks for the explanation!
Back in 1985 late great Milan Janic had problem with light weight Swedish old type carbon shift plastic paddle. He filled bottom of the blade with lead to improve his catch. He had always been ahead of time.
Brilliant Ivan! Super exciting to see this new development. You're contributions to the paddling world are phenomenal.
Very interested to see how this feels when paddling. Always good to see that people are looking for ways forward!
Fantastic demonstration Ivan, loved seeing it rolling along the bars. Best of luck with the launch and looking forward to your next episode.
Loving this and very much looking forward to the launch.
Very novel and unique to solving a complex problem. Well done. I look forward to seeing further updates and product release.
Thèse are brilliant. Having been a slalom, polo and WW paddler for 45 years I found the torque effect of wings on my very experienced wrists was painful. These weights have removed that soreness immediately. Oddly the paddles feel no heavier with the weights on. I really can’t recommend these highly enough, albeit I understand that those having got used to the feel of wings might not find the transformation as great as I did.
Crazy! I would totally buy one and try it!
Wonderful presentation of original thinking Ivan, I look forward to trying this and wish you every success :)
very interesting take! I'd love to try it out
Well done!
Exciting stuff!
Wow, this is exactly the issue I've had for so many years. Getting stiff forearms from counter-rotating, even when the rest of the body is relatively fresh! Excited hear more about this!
If you are using a feathered paddle with one control and one release hand and are experiencing stiff forearms in both arms, then it seems something else is causing your problem because the forces and grip needed to counteract the blade flop are applied only with the control hand and should not affect the arm of your release hand.
Exciting work, wonder how what a different that makes for longer surfski tours or races. Surprising that no one has tried to solve that problem before for the wing paddles.
Good thinking! Congratulations! from Jöns
A very simple concept solving a big problem, well explained. Thank you very much for sharing.
I can see users of wing paddles adapting it fairly quickly.
Now I'm curious what's the functional weight of my Bracia 7 725, 210cm I got from you 😇 - feathered at 60deg right handed.
See you on the water, possibly. 👍
Great idea and would be very interested- however I feel it would need to be redesigned for use in ocean paddling, as that weight would be very dangerous near your face if you are punching through a wave on the way out. Are you looking to make it safe for ocean use?
Ivan. This is great stuff. Thanks as I have not sorted my paddle out yet. I think this would help. Warning, newbie type question below and sorry if you have answered in other clips. Can you suggest a non-subjective method to establish / set offset angle and paddle length?. The “try this and that see how it feels” doesn’t seem to work as I get no specific data, I can’t tell either way when I have used it for a small length of time. On a recent paddle of 20k. I stopped half way for a snack. My 30 degrees and 211cm ( Epic Mid Wing) was reset to 205 and I twisted it to ~45 deg when I stuck the paddle in the sand. I didn’t realise it at all until I finished and packed it all away. Ps I’m no sprinter, my typical is 10-20k @ 10-12 kph and avg 35s/m. Appreciate if you can advise…
genius, like we all knew it was a problem but always assumed it was just us
I had zero feather on my paddle and it feels better than a 60° angle I used to use 12 years ago.
What if you had a bent/bowed shaft in the centre then you could add a flush weight minimising protrusion. The bend in the shaft would off set some of the mass before adding weight? That would obviously not be an aftermarket option, as this is.
It would work but it would would also have to be a specific bend to account for the blade size, feather angle and blade type. I can’t see the paddle manufacturers being able , or willing , to produce a specific shaft for each scenario.
The added weight is somewhat nullified by the fact that it's not out at the tips, which would add to the swing weight. So, was this concept borrowed from archery ?
That's an intriguing thought!
I have one concern, though, if you'll allow. When you counter-weigh the rotational force of the paddle incurred by it's rotational imbalance, you will add the exact additional rotational inertia that it already has through the imbalance -- i.e., the rotational inertia you'll have to overcome to rotate the paddle doubles (while of course the paddle is in balance statically). Given that you'll have to overcome this doubled inertia twice per stroke (starting, then stopping the rotation for left stroke, same for right), and that the paddle is fairly self-supported while in the water, I am extremely curious how this plays out in practice.
Would you grant me the freedom to try this out myself with a bootleg version of the design?
Sure. Go ahead. I am confident you will see that issue does not arise.
Drop me a DM and I will send you a set up video, to help you position your mock up.
TY. Very interesting. Question can’t they design a paddle that is equally weighted???? Also an idea. Simply increase the length of the connector to the weight. Thus the weight could be reduced!!!
For us older paddlers, innovations like this are really welcome as we try to minimise injury.
On a slightly separate note, I personally think that many paddlers have blades that are too big for them. I think this is due to the fact that people quite often get the same paddle as top end paddlers who are stronger and fitter. The evidence for this is when you see paddlers with really slow stroke rates. This may potentially be also causing injury (and making them slower). Just wondering what your thoughts are on this?
Totally agree on the paddle size issue!
How heavy is you weight? Looks like about 100g. Did you estimate the extra momentum of the heavier paddle?
Does your solution have any benefits in comparison to wrapping?
Weight is 200g approximately.
Not sure what you mean by wrapping.
@@ultimatekayaks6499the tape wrapped around the shaft: ua-cam.com/video/HDx4w77A9bs/v-deo.html
It has a good grip and the bump under it helps to position the blade.
Folks can argue the theoretical pros and cons of this back and forth but the proof is in the testing of this for yourselves and see if it simply feels better. I am sure Ivan has satisfied himself that it feels better with, than without.
Is the retail model less likely to look like it could poke you in the eyes, or stab you in the chest?
Have you ever tried this? How much is it faster like in 1 km?
I have been testing for nearly two years.
Faster? I am not going to claim it make anyone go faster.
What it does do, as I said in the video, it gives you a lot more security over the last 50m of your 1000m when everything starts to feel bad.
So it may well reduce your decline in speed at this part of the race.
All boat and paddle manufacturers claim added speed but I am too old and cynical to do the same!
Great idea, but probably only practical for a sprinter. Any form of marathion racing and the counterweight is a safety hazard and is at risk of being knocked off.
So far, primarily tested by marathon paddlers, ranging from Junior internationals to old guys doing the 125 miles of Devizes to Westminster with 70 + portages. Seems ok so far.
No fatalities and no mishaps.
This will have some inertia when you turn the shaft if the blades are offset.
Another reason for zero feather?
@@gcziko Yes, even if balanced, there is still effort required to rotate the shaft in the case of offset.
The unbalanced weight also tells you the position of the blades in your hands without looking.
You guys do realise that even at zero feather there is a requirement to rotate the shaft?
@@ultimatekayaks6499 compared to the linear and rotational forces one needs to apply to the paddle during the active part of the stroke, the out-of-water portion seems insignificant. At near zero feather I don't feel any effort to rotate the paddle into place. I'm probably just not good enough to notice that level of detail...
Well, the paddle is now 200gr heavier.....
Thanks for pointing that out.
At 9:25 he says, "This paddle has now become weightless." If the paddle had become weightless he could hold it up, let it go, and it would not fall to the floor! With the addition of the counterweight the paddler actually has to lift more total weight during each recovery. This total weight increase plus the inconvenience of having the counterweight sticking out from the paddle shaft must have been shown in testing to be offset by the reduction in effort needed to prepare for the next stroke, or he wouldn't be out here talking it up on the internet🙂
I don't think it will make any difference to the weight lifted as it is in the centre rather than the ends.
However, rotational forces are not eliminated because there is always rotational inertia to overcome, in both directions to make the catch and now that has been increased.
@@williamlawrenson8345 this is not the experience in reality. The amount of force used to turn the shaft is essentially zero. Come and see me next time you are at an event and you will feel how it works.