3 Things to Consider when using a Greenland Paddle - Weekly Kayaking Tips - Kayak Hipster

[@peterbrownnl]

This outlook on the greeland paddle and the stock technique was perfect. I've been paddling greenland now for 3 years, and what you described was also spot on for me. It is so versatile, and they is an arsenal of different paddle strokes that I've found myself faster and much more efficient when I paddle with my greenland. I just shared it to my local paddling group to share the information and experience. Thanks man. Keep up the great work.

[@KayakHipster]

So glad to hear it! Yeah, I have many friends that have tried a GP and it’s not for them - and that’s totally fine. But for me, this is how it’s worked, so I’m hopeful others that have had experiences similar to mine and yours will keep at it and continue developing it. 👍

[@anthonybevers6066]

I carved my own greenland and storm paddle years ago and they are a little heavier than commercial paddles but they also float and the lenghth of the greenland is so great for keeping control. I also think they dont catch the wind as easy as traditional paddles. Great video and content.

[@flatheadfletch]

I’m 64 and started kayaking in early 70’s. I discovered the Greenland paddle 3 years ago. My advice ! Just buy the best Greenland paddle you can afford. You will paddle further with much less fatigue and will have far more control and better use of your Yak. I use Gearlab carbon fiber and FREAKING love it. With my P&H Volan 160 in the light weight 42 lb carbon Kevlar this paddle makes everything effortless and highly efficient !

[@robertnissenbaum]

Absolutely brilliant advice! These are concepts I teach in my Greenland paddling classes. As you said, I also have a different take on the forward stroke than others. I also use more of a 'crunch' rotation than the typical torso rotation. It's enabled me to drop my cadence and still keep pace with strong paddlers using large Euro blades on long (20+ nm) paddles.

[@khelben1979]

I really enjoyed this video! You say many important things here and I can concentrate on what you're saying without the annoying music. Thank you! :)

[@88kayak]

Great video. I think Greenland style is Like Tai Chi, soft on the body, but amplifying great power. I am still very much a beginner. Love your video.

[@Team5TL]

Great video. I’ve used the GP for years and these are awesome tips to keep you thinking and improving. I’ve never used the stab technique for an extended time but I’m going to try it now!

[@pabloenriquetirabassi7060]

Excellent video, in which you share a lot of experience exposed with great quality. I have seen it many times, to be able to assimilate the advice and the large amount of information!! Thank you so much for sharing it !! Greetings from Argentina

[@It-b-Blair]

As a canoer getting into kayaking, this style resonates tremendously. I’m so stoked for this season!

[@communicationiskey-]

Good video… New to the sport and just purchased the Inuksuk carbon paddle instead of the Gearlab. can’t go wrong with either brands. I look forward to learning the technic with time…

[@biteon]

I have been using the East Pole Paddles Nanook Greenland Paddle solely for the last 5 years until few weeks ago I purchased a Nimbus Wave Walker. I have found lots of different strokes during the years and the gravity stab one is one of it, amazingly efficient and requires little energy from the paddler. Gravity does most of the work. Recently I discovered a new stroke to use when having a very strong headwind. That is the stabbing stroke but then add a rowing motion to the stroke, i.e using your lower back to increase the power. This gives extra power against wind or if you need to take a sprint. The reason I purchased the Euro blade was to use while surfing. It gives more support and more powerful starts when catching a wave but the GP is the goto paddle for most condition for me.

[@rogermcadams8806]

I became a Greenland convert about 5 years ago. Not a racer ( I have a friend who most definitely is with his wing paddle ) but pride myself on covering some distance. Yes agree with the spearing for sprinting but for long trips I find that the key is sitting upright and fluid entry ( not stabbing ) and fully submerging the blade as you rotate ( hands touching water ) by your side then what I find is key is letting the paddle go further back and as you come up your almost ready to enter the tip on the opposite side. After a while you tune it out and are doing a forward stroke in a very silent motion that is from forward entry to exit much longer than most using a Euro paddle. Granted I'm speaking about longer trips in calm water and this is about getting the most out of each stroke without burning yourself out. Besides being able to use a Greenland paddle for better rolling/leverage I just find that they are hard to beat for longer touring. I simply can't match the smooth forward stroke all day with a Euro. Yes you can grab more water with a Euro blade but 5 hours later your arms will tell you you did and I will be right there saying "Think we can make it around that next point?"

[@markgoff5307]

I've been making and using greenland style paddles for 15+ years now. A lot of the attraction for me was my ability to make my own from 2x4 lumber and experiment with different variables. I played around with a lot of variations in loom length, blade width, blade length, symmetrical vs asymmetrical and so on. Throughout the process, I was amazed that, while I preferred certain features or dimensions over others, I could still make any of the paddles work. That is a credit to the versatility of the traditional styles. Thank you for your video about other things to think about while using this designs! I look forward to further experimentation. By the way - was that Blue Hill Falls featured in the footage of the sprinting stroke and the euro paddler? That bridge looks super familiar...

[@bradvoogel]

As always such great advice. I love how accessible you make it!

[@johnelshaw3549]

I have been using a Greenland paddle 1-2 years with the Euro paddle as my backup. I learned by going out and experimenting and I watched a lot of videos. The one that struck me is what they called the “spear the salmon” method, similar to what you call stabbing. That seemed to work for me. So when I start to get lazy in my technique, I think, “spear the salmon, combined with other things that I have learned along the way. I might not be the fastest but it is smooth, quiet, and works for me.

[@theopinson3851]

Greenlands definitely have an advantage on longer trips.

[@maze400]

It's funny you say the blade was faster than the Euro. The other day my friends and I were in the 17-20 mph headwind. I was using the GP and my friend (more advanced WAY more) was using a Warner. He was matching my cadence, stroke for stroke, he said "I was not gaing nore losing any distance to you" That was a good feeling.

[@markgoff5307]

Yeah, I find greenland paddles to be fantastic in wind. They don't seem to suffer from the drag of the wind on the blades as much. And using the extended stroke to bury the entire blade in the water gives a lot of power and reduces the amount of the paddle exposed to the wind.

[@chrissaucier9386]

I want to go kayaking 😪Everything is frozen in the interior of Alaska.

[@vf12497439]

Newbie question here, I’m in a cheap box store 10’ kayak. Didn’t think I was going to enjoy this and here I am looking at Greenland paddles and interested in taking myself to the next step. Of course I’ll need a sleek sea kayak too! For now my lifetime guster will work for my first adventures. Little sticker shock on the sea kayak prices. Probably will be a used purchase there to save a buck. Do you suppose a Greenland paddle could be used in a fat box store kayak to any advantage? A learning tool? The euro blade I use is ok but my sculling and bracing is a struggle

[@KayakHipster]

That’s a great question, I’ve made a video specifically for it! You can find it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKSkqn1tp6ljq8U I hope that helps. Cheers!

[@vf12497439]

@@KayakHipster thanks for the reply. I see the pros and cons now. I also see that rolling a “recreational” kayak would be more challenging based on the width and that the euro blade paddles probably wouldn’t give the sculling lift of the Greenland paddle. So for playing around I can see the use…. To be serious I would be getting my Greenland paddle before I get my sea kayak….. lol

[@KayakHipster]

Yep, narrow kayaks are easier to roll, also depends on the cockpit and how you’re connected to the kayak - thigh braces, footpegs, etc. Usually rec boats and their large cockpits won’t allow you to connect with your body enough to roll it - generally your knees don’t connect to the boat. Depends on make and model. On the paddle, euroblades will perform the same as Greenland paddles in terms of sculling - their characteristics will be different but with slow sculling movements they both will generate support. One might be more buoyant than another just because of materials - wooden paddle vs foam core vs plain carbon or plastic blades. But the motion and climbing angle will generate support with any paddle.

[@SteveZihn]

Just a question because of a coment you made: You said on the GL trip you'd been too busy to get practiced up before you went. What kind of full time job do you have ?

[@D3f1anCE]

love your vids dude.....could you do a video demonstrating what you mean with a euro and greenland paddle ? im new to kayaking and despite suffering with menieres disease, i want to get into kayak surfing on the sea. keep up the good work 🤘

[@chrissaucier9386]

Get both a Greenland paddle and a Euro paddle. Take both out with you. Use them both, and you'll figure out when's the right time for whichever paddle. I'm impressed by the Greenland paddle more personally.

[@scottgorman7166]

One thing about GP's is they are essentially a wing traversing the water. You need to find the correct angle of the blade entering the water. If not you can create flutter (vibrations) which in turn can cause the blade to be sucked deeper into the water and possibly pull you over. Practice alot on the stroke and eventually your hand will feel the correct place on the loom and it will go there automatically. Happy paddling!

[@studebaker4217]

After using my Greenland paddle for three years, my advice would be to buy one made only from wood. Carbon isn't only light years from tradition, it is used to create a form that suits the material, not the purpose of the end-product. Timber avoids this, especially if made by someone as skilled as Anders at Kayak Specialisten in Vesterfoss, Norway. I never set out to adopt a Greenland, but just discovered the benefit after using one from Anders.