Infinity Paddle - Greenland Style

The modern 'Greenland' paddle takes its form from paddles made 4,000 years ago by subarctic peoples such as the Inuit, Aleut and Yup'ik. They are sometimes called 'Greenland Sticks' due to their long, thin shape and the fact they are often made from wood. In short, they are 'sticky' because sticks were what was available in the frozen North where no forests grow.

The paddle takes the form of an attenuated ∞, and the paddle stroke is also ∞.

Paddling is a flow state, an unconscious full-body activity combining balance, stillness, movement and blending with the other - the kayak and the water.

Paddling doesn't use the arms for power, it is the rotation of the torso that drives the engine - the arms are kept 'locked' in to the shoulders.

Seven times World Champion and three times Olympian kayak racer, Ivan Lawler, gives a very long, in detail masterclass'here: YouTube

Ivan Lawler is describing the stroke for paddling with 'spoon blade' paddle, a 'Greenland Stick', like the one in the image below, varies in some ways but the core principles are very similar.

Not paddling but waving! The Sound of Jura, Scotland, UK

"Greenland Paddle ISIGAA" in western red cedar from: www.eastpolepaddles.com

"Gnarly Dog" kayak from Rebel: www.rebelkayaks.com