It's better to be bow paddler in a pandemic

[gumpus]

Kind of a fun (or nerdy) analysis that concludes that you're generally better off in the bow during a pandemic since even at canoe speeds airborne germs from the bow paddler can reach the stern paddler.

https://thescienceofpaddling.net/part-23-aerosol-transport-over-tandem-canoes

Even more generally it's not a bad idea to try to stay upwind when you are near other people. If you do a Google search you'll quickly find that there is nothing magic about the 6 foot social distance guideline and the experts say further apart is better and wind has an influence. I think the 6 foot guideline is based on an indoor (still air) assumption of how far a sneeze carries before gravity wins.

We've had a lot of windy days since the pandemic started and I've been more conscious about wind direction when I'm outside near other people.

 

[yknpdlr]

Other than when I am paddling solo, 95% of the time I am designated as the bow paddler.

 

[Cheeseandbeans]

Too funny. I’ve been helping out with a quality improvement study at work (hospital) where we are looking at the effectiveness of PPE (masks, gowns, and such) on airborne particles. A product called Germ Glow is released in a controlled manor and UV light will show its dispersion. It is amazing to see how just barley perceivable air movement effects the concentration. I typically don’t give wind direction much thought outside of deer hunting season. Strange times.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Shawn Burke is a scientist and canoe racer. He is in extremis depressionis over the cancellation of several canoe races. He is also a fantastic cook.. And sharer of recipes!
I wish we all could be productive in down times as he is!
Yep he is a nerd and proud of it. Never pick on him as he trains 4 hours a day for canoe racing.

 

[gumpus]

Other than when I am paddling solo, 95% of the time I am designated as the bow paddler.

I plan to stick to my solos.

 

[gumpus]

Too funny. I’ve been helping out with a quality improvement study at work (hospital) where we are looking at the effectiveness of PPE (masks, gowns, and such) on airborne particles. A product called Germ Glow is released in a controlled manor and UV light will show its dispersion. It is amazing to see how just barley perceivable air movement effects the concentration. I typically don’t give wind direction much thought outside of deer hunting season. Strange times.

I was driving to the park the other day to paddle and I could smell cigarette smoke from the vehicle in front of me and it made me wonder if I should have my windows closed for virus protection. Sheesh.

 

[Mihun09]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f4sUNWkq60

 

[Gerald]

Up here in Quebec we do not have to worry about canoeing partner contagion as all our rivers and lakes run only North - South and here the wind only blows form the West..
We also practice safe sex which means sleeping in our own tents.
Stay safe guys.
G.

 

[alsg]

If you're not the bow paddler, the view never changes. That can be a good thing or not depending on your bow paddler's derriere.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Up here in Quebec we do not have to worry about canoeing partner contagion as all our rivers and lakes run only North - South and here the wind only blows form the West..
We also practice safe sex which means sleeping in our own tents.
Stay safe guys.
G.

Gerald what did QC do with the Bonaventure? Manicouagan? Saguenay?

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I'm not as concerned about wind direction as I am about indirect contact. I had only recently acquiesced to offers of assistance when loading or unloading canoes from the vehicle, and now I find myself reconsidering that. I had to reject such an offer the other day - not because of proximity (we would have been 14' apart), but because that would mean I'd have to avoid touching the same parts, or else clean them first. Guess I'm keeping my heavy canoe racked at home for now.
​​​

 

[Gerald]

YC wrote:

Gerald what did QC do with the Bonaventure? Manicouagan? Saguenay?

Old maps.

G.

 

[gumpus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f4sUNWkq60

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QT9BeGNnCqw