Paddling with Sticks

by

by Ralph Gardave

I never set out to paddle with a Greenland stick it just sort of happened. It was the spring of
2010 that circumstances conspired to spark my curiosity and the opportunity to try it out. Sure I
had a few rogue friends out there that were using Greenland paddles but back then it was somewhat
of a novelty among my paddling buddies. Those that were beginning to try it out were much more
skilled than I was so I only took a mild interest in the ‘skinny sticks’. Greenland paddles at that time were not readily available in local kayak shops. A Greenland paddle is usually made of wood and is based on the style traditionally used by the Inuit of Greenland. It is characterized by long narrow tapering blades, with a short loom or shaft.

It was a nice spring day in Burlington and all the plant shipping doors were open to let the fresh air flow through the plant, a welcome change after a long winter. I happened to notice a PT Cruiser pull into the shipping area parking lot with racks on it that at a distance appeared to be suited to carrying a kayak. As the owner of the car meandered onto the shop floor I stopped to ask him what the rack was for. He informed me that he used it to transport his Pintail. For those who do not know a Pintail is a Valley Canoe Products kayak that is a low profile boat, with traditional Inuit design lines, that is very manoeuvrable and rolls easily. Its manoeuvrability makes it less stable than many commercial kayaks and for this reason was not an overly popular boat. Valley no longer makes the Pintail and has transitioned a more forgiving design called the Avocet.

Since I too own a Pintail I was keenly interested in who this person was. He turned out to Tom Frosese and as we talked I learned that he had a paddle making business on the side.  In no time a binder was out with pictures of many of the paddles that had been made in Tom’s garage. Tom both makes paddles to order and runs workshops to assist people to make their own. As we talked Tom did his best to convince me that I too needed to have a Greenland stick in my personal paddle collection. Tom told me that all he needed was for me to decide on the paddle dimensions for him to make me a paddle. This of course required that I become much more educated on Greenland paddles to make these determinations.

I had plans to attend the National Sea Kayaking Symposium put on by Rapid Media in Palmer Rapids in May 2010. Unfortunately that turned out to be the last time the event was to run and is sadly missed. It was a gathering of keen kayakers and instructors getting together to share skills through workshops and generally have an early season party. One of the sessions was on Greenland Paddling so I enrolled hoping to learn more about it. As it turned out all of the other participants were more interested in rolling rather than paddling. After informing the group that they had misled me with the sessions title I struck a deal with them that they would go off and work on rolling provided that I could try various paddles to see what I liked about different designs and shapes. Since a Greenland paddle is generally custom made virtually all of its shape characteristics can be changed to suit the individual. There are some guidelines on the overall length, blade width, and the size of the loom (shaft). Common shapes for the loom can be squarish, round, or oval. Other considerations include blade width, overall length, blade shape and a distinct point at which the blade stops (shouldered paddle) and the loom begins or a gradual tapering of one to the other (nonshouldered), even the blade end shape is variable, again all based on personal preference. After trying out many paddles I had my preferences picked out. It was to be a shoulder-less paddle with an oval loom and rounded blade tips. Later I was to consult with one of my rogue friends to determine the overall length and loom size. Although my first paddle worked out okay I was later to determine that I wanted something slightly different that only experience was to teach me and is the stick that I now have.

A Greenland paddle appeals to people for different reasons. One is that they are relatively easy and inexpensive to make and can be customized to your liking. If you break one the pain isn’t as bad as when you break a $600 carbon fibre Euroblade. The joy of making a paddle for yourself is a unique and rewarding experience and will be a conversation piece with fellow paddlers. For some people the paddling style used with a Greenland paddle is less stressful on the joints. This is due to a different paddling stroke that moves slightly less water and requires a faster cadence. For those of us getting more experience under our belts this can alone be all the reason necessary to try it out.

When you first try a Greenland paddle you will find it has a very different feel in the water that can initially be unsettling until you get the hang of it. If you do decide to try out Greenland paddling I encourage you to talk to other greenlanders, try various paddles, and to learn the differences in the paddling stroke that are required to make the most of this paddling method.

References:
T and J Paddles
Making a West Greenland Paddle by Chuck Holst

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RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

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