[Paddlewise] Discovering the greenland paddle

This is a question about Greenland paddles. Maybe  Chuck Holst and John
Winter might have something to say.

About four months ago I read Chucks' instructions on to how to make a
Greenland paddle. A well written piece and a great starting point. I am now
just finishing my sixth paddle. I am really enjoying how significant small
changes can be and love how the basic dimensions are based on your body.
But up until now, I have been using plane old lumber yard western red
ceder. Inexpensive and as it turns out quite light. Now this sixth paddle I
decided I was close enough to what I thought the final design should be. I
was surprised at how much heavier my new choice of wood was-Yellow ceder.
Beautiful straight grain stuff and stronger that the red ceder. Because the
yellow ceder is stronger I could make the overall paddle more delicate. But
the weight is still noticeable.

Now the questions. By the way the weight doesn't really bother me but
prompted this.
1   Throw wieght-what is it and how is it helpful or a hindrance?

2   These wooden paddles are very buoyant. With a normal paddling cadence,
I'm guessing, about 75% of the time a third of the paddle is in the water.
This part in the water is floating pushing upward. What are the dynamics
here-does it tie in with throw weight?

I'm tired of all this ultralight carbon or flatulium filled with hydrogen
core this and that. So much seems to be going toward racing and white
water.I enjoy the fact people think the Greenland paddle is weird. Then it
is a simple matter of showing how versatile a tool this is. Most often it
is then "can I try it?'. I'm guessing that the Greenland paddles shape,
which is quite sculptural, has helped keep this wonderful paddle on the
periphery. Manufacturing difficulties due to this shape and the added
problem of body proportions. It is to bad such an appropriate ocean paddle
has been left on the margins. One other observation that I found
interesting is that women far out number men in their acceptance and use of
this paddle  I'm sure they are not just trying to please me, I'm 83 and
very wrinkled. They are very naturally graceful and the body / kayak
movements are not the twitchy spastic motions used with a europaddle.

Thank You   time for my nap



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