: Greenland paddles when used with the greenland technique are low-power,
: high-cadence. Human physiology likes to move quickly without pushing too
: hard, which is what the Greenland paddle does well. However, it does do
: this with some loss of efficiency. It is more efficient to move a lot of
: mass slowly than a little bit quickly. This makes large blade areas more
: efficient. Greenland paddles are best suited for relaxed cruising where
: quick turns, accelerations and deccelerations are not that important. A
: well designed modern-style paddle can be have all the advantages of the
: greenland paddle plus be more efficient and effective at applying force to
: the water.

"All of the advantages". That's quite a strong statement and I disagree.

Greenland paddles have a wider range of expression than you suggest. Technique will govern whether you use a low stroke with high reps or a high, vertical stroke for maximum speed, and lower reps at the cost of more effort. The high stroke with the paddle blade canted forward produces very strong resistance; I am limited by my strength, not paddle "slippage" or high rpms.

If you were able to produce a "modern-style" paddle with the same or better biomechanical and hydrodynamic efficiences as a Greenland paddle then would it also develop the same smooth lift without any tendency to dive that makes rolls, braces and rough water handling so "efficient"? Not if you adopted a cupped or spooned blade. Would it still be extremely lightweight and highly bouyant? Would it retain the narrow, unfeathered blade that allows the paddle to have such neutral, predictable behavior in violent head, beam and tail winds and allows you to slide your hands to any point of the blade to find the perfect "gear" while giving precise feedback of the blade orientation? One very subtle feature that I miss whenever I use a "Euro" blade is that with the Greenland paddle I can quickly slide one blade under deck straps, or clamp a blade across the coaming with my elbows to have a buoyant outrigger that provides support and allows me to use both hands for fishing, pumping, and other tasks. The narrow blade takes up little real-estate on deck and I don't have to use leashes and other devices.

In short the only way that "a well designed modern-style paddle can have all the advantages of the greenland paddle" is if it were, it fact, a Greenland paddle.

I am not trying to be facetious, I am just trying to point out that there are a wide range of reasons, including intangible ones, that influence my paddle choice. Paddles are highly personal objects and the efficiences that I wish to maximize might not be match yours. No one paddle can do it all and appeal to everyone, whether it be a Greenland paddle or a "well-designed modern paddle".

Greg Stamer
Orlando, Florida