A beginners guide to Greenland paddles 

FUN DIY TIP: Make your own drip rings for Greenland paddles by cutting them out of an old bicycle inner tube. Cut a little half-circle out the side of the tube with scissors ad a larger circle around it, so you end up with a circle or football-shaped piece with a hole in the middle. This will stretch to fit over the blade. Commercially sold drip rings are for paddles that come apart, and do not stretch to fit over the blades. Great for us who like Greenland paddles but also want dry hands.

Hi Brian - Long time since we met at Delmarva. What a sweet and very informative video this is! I really like the way you make your points and intersperse the indoor and outdoor footage. Also, thanks for no music. Moulton Avery

I switched about five years ago, and even though I'm still learning and my technique is far from perfect, I noticed benefit from the beginning. I tend to do long, lazy day tours of 20-40 miles, and the Greenland lets me relax and zone out--hours go by like nothing. It's great. Thanks for a fantastic video.

My favorite greenland paddle video

Even after 6 years of using a Greenland paddle, you taught me a few new things. I find these SO MUCH better on the body than spoon paddles. Their lightness and quietude are incredible bonuses for long excursions near the shore to come upon the wildlife without startling.

Totally agree about the “push” idea. That was what did it for me.

Great tutorial thanks! I have just returned from my first paddle (3km) with a GP. Your advice was spot on. I concentrated on correct technique and while I did my 64 year old creaky shoulders were fine. I also concentrated on paddling as quietly as possible and found by doing so I was using a forward canted stroke. I found I was stronger on one side than the other and naturally adapted by using a longer part of the paddle on my “weaker side”. I am a happy paddler today.

Great video. I switched from a carbon wing paddle to a Greenland paddle last summer. No plan to go back. Thanks for the extra tips,

Very informative - About to go out for my first paddle with a Greenland after 40 odd years with a European Paddle. Thanks for the video from Australia.

I just got to greenland paddle, it's a custom layered cedar one that's been used for 15 years. But still in beautiful condition. I can't wait to try it and thank you for all the tips.

Thank you very much for this. I am a relatively new kayaker, but have decades of experience on in and under the water. It has been a blast developing this new skillset, and I have found it very easy to develop. One of my biggest challenges is a severe back injury a long time ago robbing me of much of my core rotation ability. I have found I can use it to lock my lower body in place, and transmit power from my legs to my arms, but I cannot rotate it as proper paddle form would dictate. As a consequence I am always skirting the edge of a shoulder strain, especially my biceps tendons. I went from a very long low-angle euro blade to a much shorter high-angle euro, and that has helped A LOT! Now I want to move up and try a greenstick. Although I could probably buy one, I am a carpenter by trade and hobby, so after a very soon-to-happen trip to my local lumber store I am going to build my own greenland paddle. One of the things you mentioned here is another factor in my thinking. I paddle most often on the mighty Columbia River, just downriver of Portland, Oregon. WIND.... and a LOT of FAST MOVING wind, is the rule for much of the year here. With both of my paddles, indexing them 90 degrees to cut down on wind resistance is a necessity, especially as they are the euro blade, which puts all that wind resistance out at the end of the paddle. With that wind comes waves... very short, sharp, steep waves... and the opportunities to practice ones bracing strokes are many and frequent. My biggest fear is, with my back already blocking my ability to roll, screwing up a bracing stroke on that indexed paddle and dumping myself. My only option is to pop the skirt and "eject" (a phrase my combat fighter pilot father applied) and reenter the boat after I roll it back over. I can reenter in less than a minute, even tired and in rough conditions, but your point about the natural feel of the greenland paddles' orientation is exactly what I needed to hear. THANK YOU. About $50 worth of wood, and a couple of enjoyable days in the shop, I'll have myself two homemade western red cedar greenland paddles. my next stop on this marvelous place called RU-vid is HOW to make said paddles! Y'all stay safe, and HAVE FUN out there!

It’s a good thing one can follow your howto make a gp on your website thank you so much for this courtesy.

The details about the greenland paddle, contained in this video is GOLD. Thank you so much for the excellent video and content!

Great video clip. I get all information I needed. Not only Greenland paddle but more like how to get in a small cockpit with a paddle 7:47, rolling technique 6:26.... Subscribed and Thanks!

Your kontent is usually full of condwnsed knowledge. I like it. Thank you.

Great info. thanks. Using one of the Carbon Fiber ones. PNW Everett, WA. I just say if it's good enough for the Inuit it's good enough for me! Thanks Inuits. Spend some time on the Lake yesterday working on the basics.

This was brilliant. I'm still a beginning kayaker, but am already thinking about the possibilities that a Greenland paddle might offer, and this really helped answer a lot of my questions. Thanks much!

Made my own greenland paddle , more a sweep than a stroke , a stick for water , I love it .

Thanks for the explanation on the cause of flutter and the canter fix. First timeout with my new paddle and love it.

Best vid I’ve ever seen on paddling in general and Greenland paddles. Thanks so much

What a great video! Thank you for this.

That push from the top stroke is a great tip for me. When I rotate I look sideways, and occasionally sink. (Old beginner)! This is a great video all round, and paddle building could be an absorbing winter hobby. UK.

I've seen this video several times now, and I think it's one of your best ones ever made, thank you! :) Greetings from Sweden.

My first unintentional capsize was when I tilted the Greenland paddle as you demonstrate ... whoa!

Best video I've seen on Greenland paddles. I'm going to get mine out again!

Brilliant ! Never knew about the Greenland Paddle..... Thank you very much....

Always such fantastic information and presentation; thank you!

Thanks for your careful discussion and comprehensive details that you cover with us. I was just out on my first group trip of the year with two greenland experts that move like speedboats and I appreciate your guidance. I have to try now, Jay

Thank you for a terrific overview and the instruction on the GP. I'm glad I discovered your video and the new resource you provide that will be well used.

This is great! Just learned about these paddles the other day, really helped clarify some things, thanks!

Great easy to understand video. Thanks Brian

Great presentation. Thanks for doing this.

Wonderful presentation!

Such an authentic explanation on the paddles, only just got into kayaking a month ago and have watched several videos on the Greenland paddle...buddy I'm sold 👍💯 thank you 😎

Such a great and inspiring video, thank you!

Another great video. Thanks and keep the content coming!

Very clearly explained. Thank you.

Excellent! Thank you for sharing!

awesome video, thanks Brian.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I just trying to get into greenland paddling and I learned a lot!

A lot of good information here, even for modern spoon paddles. Thanks

Wow, that was so enlightening! I kept nodding my head in agreement as you talked about the physics of paddling, and starting the stroke at the toes. Your explanation of the Greenland Paddle's benefits to us older paddlers hit home...and anything that gives me an opportunity to pick up the plane and draw knife is a worthy endeavor! Thanks for posting this.

Thank you so much. I learned a lot about greenland paddles but also about kayaking.

Brilliantly clear and informative

Thanks for your video. It's very clear and useful.

Very interresting. Makes me want to try greenland paddling. Thank you for this.😎

Crystal clear explanation !! Thank you for another great video ! Keep them coming !

Fantastic video, would have loved an even longer version !

Thanks for another great video Brian, keep them coming. I can't wait to get started on my F1 (I purchased the online course over a year ago) one of these days. You know how it is, full-time job, part-time business, zero free time.

What a great video! Thanks for all these useful, intersting and valuable insights!

Great video. I am getting ready to start building my first strip style kayak and paddle. This has really helped me in my decision to build a Greenland style paddle.

Great video! Thanks so much for sharing

Very helpful video. Thank you!

Brilliant video. Thank you for taking the time to produce it. I'll have a go at making a GP, so I'll buy your plans. I would love to visit your shop, but I'm on the other side of the world.

Nice, Brian. I was researching something else and RU-vid suggested this. I hadn't seen it before, but it is a really good intro to "stick". I will definitely recommend it to folks who are interested. Take care. Henry

Thankyou for offering this and plans..I'm just getting into kayaking and Greenland paddle is looking like just the thing for starters

Brilliant instructional video. I am convinced that I need to change over to a Greenland paddle. 🤗

Brian, it really is a brilliant video and explanation of the GP. I hope lots of future paddlers find this. 2 years post.

You have awesome tutorials

Brilliantly explained. Thank you so much for your time and effort. certainly prefer a Greenland paddle now. Converted.

Great video ! Thank you. I use a Gear Lab Greenland paddle n love it !

Great video - THANK YOU!!

Really great video and information.

Wonderful video man ! You seem like an excellent teacher and natural spokesperson:) thank you!

Very informative. Thank you very much!

Very helpful. I will be shifting to the Greenland paddle for my sea kayak.

Great video. Thank you.

This is a very nice, well organized and well paced explanation of the Greenland paddle and how to use it. I will certainly be recommending it to others. Nice job. H.

Thanks for your excellent info on paddling. I went out and did the pushing style you explained and it did make the rotation of the torso happen naturally.

Really helpful. Thanks!

Thanks, this was really informative and got me convinced about getting a greenlander instead of a new modern paddle. I just broke my paddle last week, so I need a new one anyway.

Excellent info! Cheers

Well done!

Thanks for a very interesting video. Nice to see the way you are doing things in the northwest Pacific. Here i Norway I am using the same Greenland paddle. When changing from an Euro-paddle (the ordinary one) I really got hooked on the quality of the paddling-technics it gave me. Good to see that you are using it in rough water as well.

Wow. Awesome. Thanks

I used some of your tips to build my own (thank you!) and I find them as much fun to make as to use since much of it is shaped with hand planers, which is about my favorite wood working tool. I have an Aleut and Greenland as well as two 2-piece Greenlands in different lengths. The latter two are WRC blades with poplar looms that taper into the blades and they have a wonderful little snap to them at the end of a stroke. They cost me about $50 total and most of that was the stainless steel ferrules so that they can be broken into the two pieces for easier transporting. They always get compliments with people asking me where I bought them (up close, they're more obviously hand made!). Much more versatile than spoons and the leverage of the extended stroke makes my 17' wood battleships manageable in narrow rivers without needing a rudder. Been about 5 years and I've not used a spoon paddle since.

Just wanted to say respect bro pretty pretty badass s*** you're doing there

So many thanks! I'm in.

Very instructive. Just bought my own greenlander pagaj from Gram

I just started using a GLP and this is great! Thank you :)

Very informative. I'm an older paddler and will be switching to a Greenland paddle.

You've got a really nice way about you. I've just started sea kayaking and really enjoyed watching this video. Very informative thanks.

Thank you so much! I have been enjoying using my brothers kayaks for several years. The change in stroke mechanics will obviously help me. And making my own paddle will help. I have never been comfortable with rolling under, but I know I need to know this. I am part of the Grey Hair crew! Cheers!

Thanks for the great video! I’ve been paddling all sorts of different boats for 20 years now, mostly river but I’ve recently started enjoying Day Touring in the past couple of years! This is the best video I’ve ever seen that gives the true advantages of a green one paddle! I think I’m going to look up your video on building one! Being a Carpenter I have any necessary tools, So I’m just gonna go for it! By the way I subscribed!

Haven't started kayaking yet but I may just build my own paddle! Excellent vid.

Brian, I finally got to try one of your paddles when i demoed George's F1 last weekend. Very nice job. I was amazed at how light that stick was, considerably lighter than the appearance suggested. I could have wished for slightly sharper edges and carrying that sharpness around the tip, but even so I know that means less durability. But it was very nicely proportioned and shaped.

Thank you 👍👍👍

Yes, very nice video, explanation and approximation of the problem. Sometimes I look forward to demonstrations of various kinds of Eskimo rulls... When to use what ... Thanks

Very informative video. I have my piece of wood ready in the garage to make my GP. I am itching to make it but at the moment I have a big project on the go in my home. I have also bought some Trak stow bags from Trak they are in the post as we spk. I received a fantastic service from this company and will report on the quality when they arrive. Keep making the videos I really enjoy them Thanks again.

Aha, great, I am not such a paddler, made a couple of these paddles and totally agree with everything you are saying; again, thank you, Brian

Thanks so much for posing always considering green wood paddle always wonder how much water they push rather than normal power

All very excellently said. So funny about looking at the tip of the stabilizing paddle... now that you say that I vaguely recall hearing it before, but I never do. Upon entering the kayak from a winter dock, I set the paddle under the aft deckline sliders from the dock, sit sideways on the dock, place my feet beside the keel, and holding the dock, lower myself to sit on the back deck, feet in the cockpit. Then both hands on the gunwales over the paddle blade, it's eyes on the point of the bow as I slide in. Exiting is reverse. If I looked at the paddle, I would surely tip that way! Great video, keep em coming.

Another great historical record/book on skin boats is the Smithsonian Book: Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America. It is out of copyright and you can get it on Project Gutenberg. It has a good section on Greenland Kayaks and Paddle use.

Very well done video. I Think I am going to try out A Greenland Paddle. Looks very smooth compaired to my spoon built paddle. Thanks for the tips

Thanks for the video. Once I tried my first GP, I was hooked. Now the only time I use a spoon is whitewater or my 34 inch beam folding tandem. I evolved a bit with my GP and moved to an Aleut paddle a couple of years ago. It seems to have all of the benefits of a GP (aside from symmetrical) but with a noticeable speed boost without any perceived added energy needed.

thanx for upload

Thank you for this informing video :-)

Good video friend 👍👍👍👍

Muchas gracias amigo gran información sobre los kayak

Amazing