Greenland paddle

From KayakWiki

A traditional kayak paddle developed by the Inuit peoples of Greenland. Typically made out of one piece of wood, this style of paddle has a relatively long and narrow paddle blade that smoothly grows out of a short loom (term used for these paddles instead of shaft). The loom ranges from several hand-width's wide (a storm paddle) to over a shoulder-width wide. The blades are gently and continuously tapered either to the tip or to several inches below the tip. The width of the paddle is sized so that you can grip them at any point.

Many modern users of the Greenland Paddle build their own paddles. Plans can be found for building a Greenland Paddle several places on the internet. Techniques vary from laminated blanks to simple carving of a pine 2x4. Many Greenland-style paddlers in the U.S. prefer to use quarter-sawn western red cedar. Finishes on the GPs tend toward the natural, with tung, linseed and other oils being the main finish used.

A GP generates impressive lift when the paddle is swept through the water or used in a sculling motion (leading edge held slightly high). Combined with the generous buoyancy of the paddles, direct feedback about paddle blade orientation, the ability to grip them anywhere, and their symmetry, this makes them a very effective tool for rolling and bracing.

Many users of the paddle find they can move their kayak just as quickly with a GP as a Euro paddle over any distance. While the Euro paddle may give some advantage to parts of the whitewater skill set where intense effort must be applied over a few seconds, the same benefit does not occur in traveling several miles. Once lactic acid begins to build up in the muscles, the paddler is limited to their aerobic capacity. The GP is found by most to give enough resistance to allow reaching the aerobic capacity and also displacement hull speed.

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There are many sources for making Greenland paddles:

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