[Paddlewise] How the Greenland paddle changed my life

Or.... confessions of a die-hard whitewater kayaker

I used to find simple flatwater paddling somewhat boring. I tolerated long
trips on calm seas mostly as a means to an end -- fabulous camping and
enjoying the company of friends. I only got excited when the weather
becamoe rough or there was surfing of some kind or another. But then I
borrowed George Gronseth's Greenland paddle for a three day trip, and I
was hooked. I built my own out of red cedar, and pretty much taught myself
how to use it. I love perfecting my technique with this paddle, trying to
make my strokes as efficient as possible, practicing bracing and rolling,
etc... I would say that really perfecting the use of a Greenland paddle is
very challenging, and therefore fun at least for me, whereas perfecting
the use of a modern paddle is relatively easy. One style is not
necessarily better than another, but it is rather pointless to crticize
their merits without spending a while learning how to use them both, which
I have done.

I love using a Greenland paddle, and hate using a modern paddle while on
the sea at least, and I will try to explain why below:

- A paddle carved by you will fit your hand perfectly.

- A proper Greenland paddle IS a wing paddle. It has a symmetrical airfoil
shape, and proper paddling technique uses a lateral velocity component
such that water flows over the foil and generates lift -- exactly like a
"modern" wing paddle. Regular modern paddles do not generate lift at all,
but instead operate solely via drag force. The principle of generating
lift is attractive to me.

- The greenland paddle easily lends itself to several very different
paddling styles, whereas the modern paddle really only has one style.
Certain muscles will always get tired on any long trip, so I think it is
nice to be able to switch the groups of muscles which get tired by
switching paddling styles. Three styles with ny own names attached are:
 - Cruising stroke: Paddle is held in close to chest and low to the
cockpit. Arms are used to dip each end of the paddle into the water, but
torso twist is the primary motivating force. I use a higher than normal
cadence with this stroke.
 - Sliding stroke: Very similar to modern technique, except the outboard
hand always slides a little bit along the shaft for each stroke. There is
more of a drag component in this stroke (at least until I get better...
fun fun fun), and I use a normal cadence.
 - Racing stroke: Identical to a modern racing wing paddle stroke, with
extended arms and extreme torso twist. There is a high component of lift
to this stroke, and I use it to accelerate whenever catching waves. Done
properly, I think it is faster than any stroke with a modern normal
paddle. 
 I am certainly not doing the description of these strokes justice, but I
don't have time to write a novel. I would rather show you!

- Bracing takes practice because it is a slightly different motion than
bracing with a modern paddle. At first I found it very challenging, but
I've got the hang of it now. I would still say that it is inherently
easier to brace with a modern paddle, because it requires an extra
component of motion. However bracing is definitely improved over modern
wing paddles.

- Rolling is vastly superior to modern paddles. I could write a book on
this topic...

- My paddle, the one George has made, and the one described in sea kayaker
all have sharp break between the shaft and the paddle blade. I've seen a
commercial wooden greenland paddle at Alder Creek (Betsy Bay perhaps??) in
Portland, and it has a continous transition between shaft and blade. I
think this latter construction eliminates some of the best advantages of a
greenland paddle -- being able to instinctively feel the orientation of
the paddle blade, having a more secure grip, and knowing exactly where
your hands are located.


I highly recommend that you try making your own paddle if you are curious. 
It costs practically nothing, and doesn't take that much labor to get the
rough shape. If you are ever in Seattle, drop me a line and I would be
happy to give you a demo of a greenland paddle. If you need help making
one, get the article from Sea Kayaker, the excellent .pdf file from Chuck
Holst that is available on the Paddlewise page (I think), and ask here for
advice. I guarantee you will get all the help you need! 

I hope this discussion prompts at least one person to learn how to use a
greenland paddle. Cheers,
Kevin
	 ___________________                                                            
	/   Kevin Whilden   \
       |Dept. of Geosciences \___
       |University of Washington \
       |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| 
        \________________________/                       




***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************