Preview: Kayak Wisdom, Part 4 – The Benefits of Greenland Paddles

17 Responses So Far to “Kayak Wisdom, Part 4 – The Benefits of Greenland Paddles”

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  Winston Shaw says:

  I took up sea kayaking in the early 1970s and paddled for many years. In the late 1970s I founded the first sea kayaking company here in Maine. While the old saying “To each his own!” certainty applies to paddle selection I must admit that I remain unconvinced of the supposed superiority of the Greenland style paddle. As another poster already asserted, the narrow width of the Greenland paddle may have had more to do with limited access to wood than to real advantage. John Dowd, one of the true pioneers of sea kayaking was an early advocate of the Greenland style paddle. I knew John from from having reviewed his book on sea kayaking for Canoe Magazine as well as having gotten to know him at Sea Kayaking Symposiums where we both gave talks. In the early 1980s John generously donated a new laminated wooden Greenland style paddle to me in return for my evaluating the design and reporting back to him. I can’t recall precisely how many hundred miles I used the paddle but ultimately I had to report that while the quality of construction and materials used was high I found the various claims regarding energy savings and injury prevention unfounded. I am no engineer and physics was not my favorite subject in high school but far as I understand a paddle’s job is not to “move water” so much as to provide an anchor of sorts in the water allowing the paddler to pull his craft forward via the use of his arms and torsional force of his upper body. If this is correct it would seem to follow that a wider blade is a more efficient anchor. Obviously too wide of a blade could prove tiring to use but the idea that a narrow blade allows for greater paddling stamina ignores the energy cost of greater slippage. By all means it would be worth while to try a Greenland style paddle but I wouldn’t count on it extending your cruising range by a whole lot.

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  Eric J. Scott says:

  Loved it …newbie kayak person …

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  Douglas Kinnear says:

  that was awesome
  Thank you

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  Joel Zackin says:

  Nice video, But it fails to mention that one of the advantages of the greenland style paddle is less vertical shoulder movement. Everyone has different paddling styles and concerns, but if you have not tried a greenland paddle you should at least try one. The paddle allows different body movements that you might like, or not…

  Also, building a greenland paddle from a cedar 2×4 is a wonderful experience. I use planes, and a spokeshave, and remove wood until the paddle emerges. I have made a dozen and can do it about 8-10 hours. An hour in my shop working on a paddle with a pile of cedar shavings at my feet is one of the most peaceful and relaxing times in my life. I enjoy experimenting with different blade shapes and cross sections. Some have become successful paddles and others not so much, but the experiments where fun.

  The Inuit also built very short ‘Storm Paddles’ and used a sliding stroke with these. They make great spare paddles because of their smaller size.

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  John Wujack says:

  First, some context. I submit this in the fellowship that is constantly displayed in OCH. On one hand, I am completely ignorant in the use of a Greenland style paddle, but I do have almost 40 years experience in paddlesports, so this is offered for discussion purposes only, rather with an, “I’m right, they’re wrong” motivation. I don’t believe that we can today simply say, “older is better” and expect to be completely correct. My bet is that the Greenland style of paddle evolved based on available material, intended use (hunting/food gathering) and intentions that we can’t even imagine that may have had more to do with survival than locomotion. I would also suspect that there were subtle differences in ancient paddles for different, specific tasks. So what we probably share with the natives is the fact that there isn’t one perfect paddle, but rather some paddles being better suited for specific tasks than others. I don’t think there can be too much debate that our collective intention is moving relatively short distances for play rather than for survival, two very different design criteria. I can’t imagine paddling a non-feathering paddle into a 20 knot breeze and saying that I had fun doing it. One of the most important design elements of an efficient paddle has to do with the very seldom practice of customizing the blade size to each paddler. It makes an incredible difference and just a few square inches, either added or removed, can greatly enhance the efficiency (and comfort) of each stroke. Too large a blade creates resistance and a slow cadence, too small a blade can slip and create turbulence. Simply stated, each paddler can benefit by attempting to find their own perfect “gear”. I am curious…..can someone familiar with Greeenland style paddles tell me if rolling, specifically learning how to roll, compares with a modern blade configuration for a beginning paddler? To me, it looks like it would be more difficult. Does one learn or teach rolling with a modern blade and then graduate to a Greenland style? Regards, John

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    Scot Copeland says:

    I learned to roll with a euro paddle. I will add here that while I have plenty of kayaking years under my belt, I’m not a skilled or competitive roller. As I began making Greenland paddles (numerous references on the web) customized to my body and boat I initially saw the benefits in rolling. Inverted, I would reach up and with a quick relaxation of my hands the spruce blades would self-align, floating nicely with the surface. Boom. Then sweep and good results. The width of a personalized/custom paddle is the comfortable extended sweep of the hand to the C-position of the the thumb and fingers, so the extended sweep during a roll is powerful and easy. These paddles have surprising buoyancy and power. Many modern “Greenland paddles” are a bit wider than historic examples. Why? Smaller body frames combined with a gloved hand for rolling. Remember, those are not waters you can swim in, exit your kayak, or paddle in without gloves. Ice-water. (It’s important to remember that people who developed/use these paddles could not/cannot swim and never would consider that activity. Rolling was simple survival.) That results in about 3″ blade width. I’ve got a blade that narrow and its performance is surprising; so much so that a kayak guide friend borrowed that paddle for a whole summer.
    John Lockwood and OCH: thank you for this humble and candid video.

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  charles parker says:

  I have read all the posts.. AND… Once again, the folks who had their lives and livelyhood depending on their abilities and equipment evolved this type of paddle. It would appear that this is a “Duh” moment. Unless you want to sprint hither and yon, this is the paddle for you. Thank you..

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  Stephen Horseley says:

  Interesting video – centuries old know how beats modern technology again. Thanks Steve.

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  Lorenz Rutz says:

  I’ve been considering this article and I’m not entirely convinced. The explanation for the greenland paddle’s efficiency only makes sense if you use your paddle like a spoke on a paddle wheel, pivoting the paddle through an arc in the water. I only paddle that way when I’m loafing along. In that situation energy saving is hardly an issue. When I’m putting some drive into my boat I use an entirely different stroke, more like a canoe paddle stroke. I bend forward, reach and plant the blade, then draw straight back with my back, shoulders and arms until the end of the pull when the water pressure lifts the blade out of the water for the return. The paddle is close to vertical for the whole stroke.

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    Daniel Green says:

    I have limited experience with a home made Greenland paddle. I like it, although I haven’t thrown out my Euro style paddle. At one point, I read an article suggesting that when used properly, the Greenland blades act as hydrofoils, generating lift to propel the boat. Recommendation is to slightly angle the blades during the stroke, which seems to work for me. The stroke is different than with conventional paddles: the paddle,is held lower. I don’t believe the more vertical power stroke of conventional paddles is used as much if at all.

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  Lorenz Rutz says:

  Are there patterns available for us build it yourself types?

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    Jos Verbaken says:

    A good starting point is: http://www.kask.org.nz/greenland-paddles/

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      Lorenz Rutz says:

      Nice, thank you.

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  Jos Verbaken says:

  I am new to kayaking and after building nicely stained Mill Creek 13 decided it needed a wooden paddle. Using a local Tasmanian timber called Celery Top Pine I made my first Greenland style paddle, it performs just as advertised is light weight and looks good.

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  Wil Hewett says:

  Absolutely wonderful presentation by a legendary kayal designer, builder and paddler – without question, John possesses one of the greastest minds and is a fantastic storehouse of knowledge in kayaking.

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  Charlie Nichols says:

  OK – I’m SOLD!!! Paddled with some folks in south Georgia that loved these, but never took them up on trying one out (well, …..DUH!). So, now lets get on with building one. Just finishing up a rudder and daggerboard build for a small boat – so I guess I’ll push a Greenland paddle ahead of other projects (like rebuild of my Malone built 14′ Bahama Dingy, and my Brooks design Some Sound 12 1/2) – seems like a reasonable priority to me!

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  Philip Myer says:

  Very convincing , thanks for an informative video on such a simple but vital piece of equipment.