Did anyone answer my question about defining Greenland and Euro paddle characteristics and I missed it? If not would some one take time to tell me what characteristics the two paddle types have and when one becomes the other when you modify them? Seriously folks. This is not a leading question or a sucker punch. I will not argue with you. I just want to know what people think about this for the new edition of my book. I won't quote you unless you insist. I want to expand the chapter on paddles to include recent tank test data as well as paddler perceptions of paddles. If you would like to respond off list that will work just fine. It does not matter what you think or even if you can't think. I just need to know what you think you think. Cheers John Winters *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>It does not matter what you think or even if you can't think. I just need to know what you think you think. Ok, I'm willing to get the ball rolling. When I use the term "Greenland" paddle I am making an almost generic reference to a wooden paddle with a high aspect ratio which is symmetrical in design to the point that it's the same thing to use end to end and face to face. An Aleutian paddle is similar except that in has a more distinct face and back to it. A Euro paddle is pretty much anything I don't call Inuit :-) At just what point a paddle ceases to be Inuit and becomes Euro I could not even begin to speculate. I suppose when you get right down to it the distinction, at least by my way of thinking, is probably more of high aspect ratio verses low aspect ratio, but it's just so much easier to say "Greenland" or "Euro." :-)) Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> what characteristics the two > paddle types have and when one becomes the other when you modify them? I have not seen yet an occasion when one becomes close to the other. The difference of aspect ratio mentioned by Scott never comes to that point. Two very different tecniques, developed over centuries, preclude such a transformation. In a Greenland paddle grip in a forward stroke is at the root of the blade, so the length of the shaft section is determined by arms length; this is why it is always shorter than in Euro. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 6 Sep 2004 at 12:53, alex wrote: > I have not seen yet an occasion when one becomes close to the other. > The difference of aspect ratio mentioned by Scott never comes to that > point. Two very different tecniques, developed over centuries, > preclude such a transformation. This assumes _current_ GP and European styles and not earlier. There are several "Euro" paddles that do approach the GP - there are a couple of "quill" paddles that have been sold over the years and the CD Sabella is in some ways more like a GP than a short&wide conventional paddle. > In a Greenland paddle grip in a forward stroke is at the root of > the blade, so the length of the shaft section is determined by > arms length; This isn't true of what we call the storm paddle. This is nonetheless a valid Greenland type. > this is why it is always shorter than in Euro. I know a lot of folks who use Euro paddles that are shorter or about the same length as my standard GP. One other general assumption is that the GP is representative of Inuit paddles. I think another phrasing of John's question would be - How is a Euro paddle distinquished from traditional Inuit paddles? The answer to this question shows that the Euro paddle is not a distinct type. Hence it's name is arbitrary and does not show the origins or derivation of the type. If you look at paddles all around the world, you see that many styles are common among very different and widely distributed cultures. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> > this is why it is always shorter than in Euro. > > I know a lot of folks who use Euro paddles that are shorter or about > the same length as my standard GP. I meant shaft length - sorry for not making it clear. This (shorter shaft, or loom, compared to Euro) is true for all GP that I've seen so far. >Euro paddles catch further forward >and exit earlier than a GP, but I'm not so sure that the stroke >length is so different. Just trying to make it clear, for myself as well. This is true that there are many different "Euro" and a few different techniques too. One technique that is familiar to me, is when Euro paddles catch at the foot (approximately), and exit with wrist at the hip (which means it is pulled out of the water slightly behind my back). With a GP the catch point is at the knee (appoximately) and exit at the hip (wrist or actual blade - I don't know, but seems like wrist and blade are at the same perpendicular to the hull line). This means to me that wrist (and blade at the root) travels shorter path with a GP. Even considering loonger blade of GP, I doubt that middle point of the blade will travel longer path than that of Euro, - but didn't measure, so I might be wrong here. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:39 PDT