Anyone get their hands on the Gearlab IPIK greenland paddle yet?
Wow, it looks nice. And super-light weight. But over $500 and only one size! I just feel very lucky I snagged a used Oyashio.
Interesting… This is a collaboration of GearLab with Turner Wilson (and maybe Cheri Perry/past Greenland rolling champ). Turner used to be one of the lead organizers of the Walden “Pond Scum” who met weekly until ice in to practice Greenland rolling techniques. There were some really technically good rollers in that group.
https://kayakways.net/introducing-ipik-by-gearlab/
I personally like the feel of a more oval shaped loom. Interestingly enough, the most uncomfortable loom I experienced was a more boxy rectangular loom that either Turner or another Pond Scum let me tried. It’s supposed advantage is “sure” indexing. I even carved a rectangular loom GP, tried it for a bit and hated it. Thankfully, I was able to shave that loom and the blade junctions back down to to a comfy shoulderless oval loom GP.
I have to say, despite the lineage, that is a pretty high end priced GP.
sing
I’ve got the Kalleq and love it. I’m 5’10" average proportions so the Gearlab regular size fits me perfectly. The loom might be a bit long on the IPIK though.
The blades on the Kalleq are wide and sharp, making it difficult for me to grab. I grab the tip for rolls. Looks like the IPIK has similar blade shape and width, but might have more taper in width…
Kind of weird to have only one size. Maybe this is just in start up phase of the IPIK model? I have the Akiak in 210 and the Akunack (surf paddle) in the 200. The Akiak has three size options (thankfully) while the no-longer-available Aukaneck had two sizes.
The edges are relatively sharp compared to my self carved GP. I prefer the latter but I don’t find the Gearlabs edges unbearable for extended paddle/blade grip. Gripping end of the Aukaneck blade was challenging for my small hands since the paddle has 4" width at the blade end.
sing
BTW, here is the pictorial comparison of the Kelleq with the IPIK:
https://kayakways.net/kalleq-ipik-a-visual-comparison/
sing
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The Oyashio is only 3.25” wide, very comfortable.
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Get it wet! Enjoy.
sing
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Now has been wet and was… WONDERFUL!
Supposed to have thin edges. Were you paddling bare hand or with gloves/mitts? How did the edges feel on an extended paddle grip? Did it feel too “edgy” in your grip?
sing
I paddled both bare handed and with NRS paddling gloves (summer weight). While the paddle does have very thin leading edges on the blade, they were not sharp when using the paddle in an extended position. 8 inches out from the shoulder the blade is very comfortable. Sliding a hand further out it is noticeably thinner but is not painful on the hands (glove or no glove). I was paddling with a friend that had a Gearlab Kalleq and we switched back and forth several times. We both commented that the Ipik had a bit more “purchase” (grab on the stroke) on the water. But to be fair, the Kalleq was 210 and the Ipik is 219. This said, the Ipik does have more volume past the shoulder area before it tapers towards the end. The Ipik is of course noticeably lighter.
I had never used a GP longer than 20-30 minutes and I was unsure that I would like this paddle. I have rolled with a Kalleq but I have not used a GP as an everyday paddle. My go to is a Werner Ikelos 210 and I thought for sure that I would miss the acceleration of a fat euroblade but, with a very vertical, deep, stabbing stroke, the Ipik has very good initial catch and accelerates well.
In short - I love it!
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P.S.
Sadly they have gone up $40.00 since I purchased mine. Still worth it!
Thanks for that thorough review. 
sing