Re: [Paddlewise] Greenland blade angle (was video request)

>Chuck Holst writes:
>I am still mystified. Greg Stamer described a forward tilt to Maligiaq's
>paddle as it entered the water, yet I am sure Maligiaq says on the video
>that the paddle should enter vertically, though it seems to me that it does
>indeed have a slight forward tilt.
>
>Comment, Greg?

Maligiaq describes several forward stroke techniques in the wonderful
video, "Rolling with Maligiaq". The first is with a vertically oriented
blade and the second is with a forward tilt of the paddle(top edge of the
blade is canted toward the bow). For both of these strokes he shows his
long, full stroke that goes well past his hip.

Maligiaq describes using the forward tilting blade as a more advanced
technique, "if you are good enough", in his words. He does not specifically
mention the angle at the catch at all for this stroke, only that on the
exit, the forward tilting blade makes it easier to "take off from the
water" as if to prevent the blade from catching on a wave. The footage on
the video makes it clear that the forward tilt increases as the stroke
progresses but it is difficult to see if the paddle is vertical or canted
on entry. Maligiaq also recommends a forward tilted blade for the sliding
stroke with a storm paddle and in this footage the canted blade at the
catch is more apparent.

The first time that I taught with Maligiaq he made it very clear that he
prefers a forward angled blade for the catch. Try both and use what works
for you but realize that it will take some time to unlearn a vertical
catch. Both Maligiaq and Kaleraq Bech really emphasize the exit phase of
their stroke. Instead of a strong catch and a weak exit that is typical of
most paddlers that I observe, Maligiaq and Kaleraq put extra "oomph" into
the exit phase. With the canted blade you can get a very nice "kick" at the
end of your stroke. 

I try not be too dogmatic about blade tilt but I find that many folks who
use and preach a vertical plant/exit (with a Greenland-style blade) have a
loom that is so long that all ten fingers are on the shaft. If you are
gripping only shaft then you can orient the blades in any manner that you
wish, vertical, canted forward, canted backward, etc. If you learn to
paddle Euro-style and pick up one of these paddles, you will naturally use
the vertical plant and short stroke that you were weaned on. At least I
certainly did when I first picked up a long-shafted Betsie Bay paddle after
several years of BCU training.

On the other hand, if you have a custom made traditionally shaped SW
Greenland paddle, then only your thumb and forefinger will be wrapped
around the shaft, your remaining fingers are draped over the roots of the
paddle blades. When holding such a paddle with your arms parallel to the
ground and with your wrists/hands in a neutral position, the blade will
naturally tilt slightly forward. That is the blade angle to use if you want
to experiment with a canted stroke, no need to add confusion or worry about
what angle that Maligiaq uses. In fact, if you have a paddle shaped as
described above, you have to cock your wrists backward in order to "get a
vertical blade". 

John Heath is working on a new article for Sea Kayaker about Maligiaq's
stroke that  should throw some new light on this topic. We have spoken on a
number of occasions about "paddle tilt" and my impression from talking with
John, Maligiaq and Kaleraq is that using a forward tilting blade is a very
popular method in SW Greenland, but it is only one of many authentic
variations. Some Greenlanders use a vertical blade angle and others add a
small sliding component to their normal cruising stroke. Kaleraq even
demonstrated a unique sprinting technique that "throws water under the
stern" that was highly esteemed in the past but is not practiced much
today. One thing that I noticed about Kaleraq and Maligiaq is that they
were proud of their differences and kidded each other about their stroke
peculiarities. Neither paddler was concerned with creating nor conforming
to a dogmatic standard. Both are excellent paddlers.

Something else that should be said about Maligiaq and his stroke is that he
uses a wider loom than is commonly taught. This allows him to use a large
amount of upper-body motion. I have the paddle that he competed with in
Greenland and the paddle that he raced with in Quebec. The first has a 24"
loom and the second 25 1/2". Maligiaq claimed that the length of his looms
were not unusual in Sisimiut for speed paddling. The usual advise that you
will often hear is that the loom should be the distance between the thumb
and forefinger of each hand when your arms are hanging naturally at your
sides. According to Maligiaq, this sizing is only applicable if you wish to
use a slight sliding component to your forward stroke. Maligiaq did not
have a specific anthropometric measurement for his loom width. When he made
a new cedar paddle while visiting in Florida, he simply sized it according
to his other paddles and decided to experiment by making the loom a little
longer and also increased the length of the paddle. 

Using a Greenland paddle should feel very natural and your forward stroke
will continue to evolve over many years. I think it's great if you want to
learn a traditional Inuit style but there is still very little information
out there and if you are thinking too much and getting confused on paddle
angles and different advice from different sources then my recommendation
would be to clear you mind and simply go paddling. Experiment and try
different things. The water and your kayak will tell you all you need to know.

Greg Stamer
http://www.magicnet.net/~gstamer/QK.html
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