Greenland Paddles - Step by Step

By Brian Nystrom. 47 pages. In the foreword to this new book, Brian Nystrom writes, "Whether you regard the Greenland Paddle as functional art or merely as a tool, one cannot help but be struck by its simple elegance." Greenland paddles are becoming more popular every year for kayak touring because they are efficient over long distances and in windy conditions and gentle on the wrists and forearms. Advanced paddlers love the variety of extended paddle positions possible with this thousand-year-old Inuit design. And unlike European-style paddles, Greenland-style paddles are easy to build.

Nystrom has compiled an excellent Greenland paddle building manual. Profusely illustrated and with clear and concise instructions, anyone with woodworking tools can build a Greenland paddle from this book. You'll use local materials (probably less than $20 worth, or $5 if you don't count the epoxy). Following the instructions, you will customize your paddle to your own physiology---"One armspan plus a cubit." We think this is the best Greenland paddle building book out there.