Greenland Paddles > Using > Paddling

Greenland paddling style

Adam Bolonsky provides a useful explanation of paddling styles in Three Greenland Strokes Explained:
  • The storm paddle sliding stroke, ordinarily used in rough weather and heavy winds with a short storm paddle typically the length of a paddler's shoulder height

  • The more vertical racing stroke, shown in use in a race in Greenland on an extreme low-volume Greenland boat

  • The somewhat more horizontal cruising stroke, shown on flatwater

Here's how the strokes work:

The sliding storm paddle stroke is useful for a couple of reasons. By sliding the shaft of the paddle from hand-to-hand between strokes, you gain leverage and power in high winds and breaking seas. It's also a fine stroke to use for acceleration while racing.

By sliding the paddle towards the water, and deeper into it, you get a highly-leveraged stroke that hides the unused portion of the paddle from the wind. The top end of the paddle doesn't flutter in the wind, nor is it knocked around by breaking waves.

The sliding stroke requires a strong core to execute consistently. There's a fair amount of torso rotation involved.

The second stroke, the more vertical racing stroke, is all about power. By holding the paddle somewhat more vertical, you're able to create tremendous amounts of leverage on the catch.

Your heart rate will jump when you're using the Greenland racing stroke, not only because of the stroke's rapid cadence but because of the amount of torso rotation involved. Again, a strong core and strong abdomen help: much of the stroke's power comes less from your arms, more from your hips and core.

The third stroke shown, the more horizontal cruising stroke, is all about efficiency with minimal effort. Less torso rotation is involved; there's less leverage and thus less power. It is a restful, relaxed stroke whose cadence gives you the chance to cruise along comfortably and at a moderate speed.

By holding the paddle somewhat more horizontal, you also don't have to lift the paddle much between strokes.

More information and an accompanying video can be found at Sea Kayaking Dot Net



The following is an extract from "Greenland Style" by Andrew Bien (1995)

In forward paddling, some of the techniques needed to use Greenland paddles to best advantage conflict with conventional wisdom and may appear to defy the laws of physics. For example trunk rotation is less obvious and the stroke is a long one, accelerating towards the exit which is well behind the hip. A canted blade where the top edge is slightly forward of the lower improves the grip on the water, and a boat with a low foredeck helps the abdominal muscles to be put to work. Speed is comparable with that achieved using conventional paddles. more



Sea Kayaker describes the method for using a Greenland paddle as follows:

The Anglesey Stick is light, easy to control and can reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. The style of paddling with an Anglesey Stick is not the same method that you have been using with your 'Euro' paddle. The best way to learn how to use a Greenland paddle is to watch the many videos available

  • The paddle is held low, with elbows close to ribs and forearms approximately at right-angles to upper arms

  • The torso turns as you make a stroke, with the arms swinging back and forth, not outward

  • The stroke is short, quick and circular, registering about 60 strokes a minute

  • Greenland kayakers are renowned for shifting effortlessly to an extended or partially extended grip for power strokes, braces, rolls and sweeps

  • It is very common to experience flutter when you first use a Greenland paddle

  • To counteract this tendency, it is very important to relax your grip on the loom and try not to force the paddle through the water

  • A subtle alteration in the angle at which the paddle is held (cant), and thus how it moves through the water, can have a major effect on flutter

  • All these new techniques can only really be learned by actual practice, so get out in some lumpy water for a blast

  • Try not to think about what you are doing with the paddle, and you should find it all comes together more





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