Conducted by Mark Rose – BSUPA Paddle Board Instructor since 2014
Location – Action Water Sports Lake. Kent, 10/09/24.
The 250m runs were between fixed marker distance boards on a waterski lake.
Wind speed 15-20 mph, straight down the lake.
I tried the above paddle initially warming up with the cuts covered (taped over)
3 x 250m runs upwind and downwind.
Then 4 x 250m timed runs still with cuts covered.
Finally with the tape removed cuts uncovered 6 x 250m timed runs upwind and downwind.
The wind stayed fairly constant over the runs.
——————————————————
Warm up, Blade cuts covered
250m upwind 82 paddle strokes
250m downwind 75 paddle strokes
250m upwind 80 paddle stokes
——————————————————
Timed 250m runs Blade cuts covered
250m upwind 84 paddle strokes time 1 min 59 secs
250m upwind 82 paddle strokes time 1 min 58 secs
——————————————————
Timed 250m runs Blade cuts uncovered
250m upwind 79 paddle strokes time 1 min 59 secs
250m upwind 82 paddle strokes time 1 min 55 secs
250m upwind 81 paddle strokes time 1 min 55 secs
——————————————————
Timed 250m runs Blade cuts covered
250m downwind 76 paddle strokes time 1 min 53 secs
250m downwind 80 paddle strokes time 1 min 52 secs
——————————————————
Timed 250 m runs Blade cuts uncovered
250m downwind 79 paddle strokes time 1 min 50 secs
250m downwind 77 paddle strokes time 1 min 50 secs
250m downwind 78 paddle strokes time 1 min 55 secs
——————————————————
I have laid out the data above in upwind cuts covered and uncovered and downwind cuts covered and uncovered for ease of looking at the data.
What the data does not show is all the runs with the cuts covered were carried out first.
With the warmup and the covered runs I had already paddled 1.75km in windy conditions!
I then removed the tape and went straight into the uncovered 6x250m runs
Three things to note
(1) I was feeling tired but had to get the runs done with the uncovered blade.
(2) When I removed the tape I did feel instantly a step change as the paddle was easier to paddle with less effort.
(3) All the final 6 x 250m runs with the uncovered blade carried were out at the end of the session, this was not ideal but I could not keep taking the tape on and off with a wet paddle and as I said I was limited on time.
Conclusion
Conditions were not great; I was hoping for mill pond conditions but the wind overall did not increase or decrease during the test so it was “real world paddling conditions.”
You can see when the paddle cuts were uncovered there were small gains in reduced time and in the reduced number of paddle stokes to complete the 250m runs.
I was tired during the second part of the test which is not ideal but it was a relief when the cuts were uncovered as I said the paddle was easier to paddle with less effort.
In this tired state the results still showed a small overall improvement in time and reduction in paddle strokes.
If I had done the test in reverse, feeling fresh with the cuts uncovered and then covered the cuts, feeling tired I know the data would been even more in favour of the cut paddle.
I honestly expected from day one of hearing about the Oscar Paddle that there would be a “trade off” with a loss of speed or power with the cuts for ease of use, this was not the case.
I expected the 250m runs with the cut paddle would require several strokes more due to “paddle slippage “due to the cuts but that did not happen.
It appears that whatever science is going on under the water it does make the paddle feel easier and you do get improved performance, a winning combination.
You also have the bonus of an easier paddle makes long distance paddling/racing easier.
With easier paddling you can also increase the length and duration of training times.
With easier paddling also comes less strain on the body, reducing injuries and so more time on the water.
Mark Rose
Water sports qualifications
Past RYA Windsurfing Instructor.
BSUPA paddle Board Instructor since 2014
Principle BSUPA Instructor 2020 -2023 The Varne Water Sports Club
Sailing Captain 2012 to present day at The Varne Water Sports Club
Retired for the last 12 years but not from water sports!
