>Could I get some comment on Inuit-style paddles and, particularly surf, >>please. I know some Lake Superior paddlers from Duluth who use a 84-90 >>in. by 4 in. "Greenland" paddle for EVERYTHING, including the roughest, >>gnarliest surf and waves. I always hear Euro-style paddlers complain >>the long, skinning Greenland sticks won't provide the acceleration but I >>haven't yet found that to be true. Comments? Dennis, I find that the Greenland paddle really shines in stormy weather because its behavior is neutral and very predictable, even in extremely gusty winds. To put the shoe on the other foot, in Greenland many of the old kayak men don't believe that feathered "Euro-style" paddles are safe to use in their stormy conditions. Your point of view is often colored by the gear you are accustomed to using. No one paddle design can be the "best" at everything, but quick acceleration with a Greenland stick is not a problem with proper technique, which means getting the paddle vertical, and using plenty of lower body drive and torso rotation. Also don't forget to add a "push-pull" component with your arms. I also prefer the "slant stroke" whereby the top edge of the paddle blade is tilted slightly forwards. I find that the limiting factor in accelerating and sprinting is not the paddle but my own strength and endurance. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to keep a Greenland paddle held low in your lap "to be authentic". In Greenland you will see a low horizontal stroke for easy touring to a high-racing stroke to every nuance in-between. I prefer a Greenland stick for all of my sea kayaking including large glassy waves from passing hurricanes to nasty dumping waves to blown-out victory-at-sea conditions. Even nice weather too. My buddies with Euro blades also play in the same conditions. So the real question is not whether or not "Euro" or Greenland equipment can handle surf and storm conditions, but whether or not you have the competency and skills with your chosen equipment to safely handle the conditions. Greg Stamer Orlando, Florida *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jan 29 2001 - 20:47:27 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:37 PDT