RE: [Paddlewise] Paddles

Bob asked:  "I am seriously thinking about buying a new paddle. For those of
you who do multi day, boat loaded down, kayak trips what type paddle do you
use and why?"

Bob:  For years I've been making my own Greenland paddles.  In addition to
their other advantages, I think they perform better on long trips with a
boat full of gear.  I like them so much that when I paddle in your waters, I
pack them inside long PVC tubes and bring them with me on the plane.  

My perception that they are less work than big Euro paddles was reinforced
when, a couple of years ago, I led a 10-day group trip for my son's boy
scout troop in Glacier Bay East Arm and one of the dads who accompanied us,
an experienced canoeist who had never sea kayaked, started out using a spare
GP I had brought at his request.  In the middle of the trip, a little
frustrated because he was not learning how to paddle with the canted angle,
he switched back to Euro paddles, which he regretted because, he would tell
me for at least a year afterward, he realized he had exacerbated an old
shoulder injury through the Euros.  His anecdote just reinforces my
impression that a GP can impose less wear and tear on a long haul.  

Plus, in a real pinch, you can always burn your paddles for kindling.

Tom
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