[Paddlewise] The true origin of european paddles

I recently came back from the Mediterranean sea, where I made a crucial 
discovery about the origins of the narrow blade paddles.

Every fishing boat, motor boat, Zodiac, and even the gondoliers in Venice use
narrow blade oars or paddles. 

Since the gondoliers in Venice have the most refined and effective technique
of moving and maneuvering a huge boat with a single narrow blade paddle,
I conclude that the origin of the paddle in the Artic must have its roots in
some Inuit boss who happened to spend his vacation in Venice once, and
who brought the idea back to northern American continent.

The question now is, why would Europeans all of the sudden start using
wide blade paddles? The answer comes very clear by visiting the Spanish and
Italian museums, and learning about the spirit of the Counter-reformation.
In many paintings in Florence, Venice, and Spain, one can appreciate the
large number of oars that the old battle ships used to carry, all narrow bladed.

The north europeans broke away from the Italian church, and could not allow
themselves anymore to use narrow blade paddles like the gondoliers of the
Medici did. The Italian catholic chuch reacted immediately calling for the
value of tradition, and letting everyone know that 'hey, the Inuit have
been using narrow blade paddles for a loooong time'. That is the way
things have been until our present time.

Thus, the differences between the narrow blade paddle, and european paddle
advocates have their origin in the 17th century counter-reformation.

ciao,

- Julio
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