tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154913422010027075.post3702535957192134057..comments2024-01-06T02:36:25.904-08:00Comments on Skinboat Journal: How did the Aleuts hold their paddles?Wolfgang Brinckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314364206955412017noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154913422010027075.post-12620915357766648162010-07-21T12:04:13.069-07:002010-07-21T12:04:13.069-07:00There is a pretty strong lobby for the ridge back ...There is a pretty strong lobby for the ridge back way of paddling as being the right way, but when I started looking at photos I found the evidence inconclusive. Then I started paddling the Aleut paddles both ways and what I found was that it takes a different stroke depending on which way you orient the paddle. Likewise, depending on whether you want to hold the paddle mostly ridge back or flat back, you will want to shape the loom and root of the blade differently so that it feels comfortable in your preferred orientation. Given the lack of paddles in museum collections, it's hard to tell what way the paddles were most comfortable to the hand. Also, you really have to use a paddle in the water and not just hold it on land to figure out how it works best. <br />So I think the answer continues to be that a right or a wrong way can't be determined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154913422010027075.post-84674981036432145122010-07-20T20:55:28.385-07:002010-07-20T20:55:28.385-07:00I always find this debate interesting, really. I&#...I always find this debate interesting, really. I'm always hoping for ridge back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com