Also, I’m wondering if the wind has something to do with it? It has been fairly windy these past few paddles. Maybe these big blades are grabbing more wind, and causing some of the flutter.
Flutter happens when the blade is in the water. From Werner’s description of the Ikelos: Full sized blades are and [sic]
ideal fit for larger, well-conditioned paddlers.
Technique and conditioning can always be improved by every paddler.
If I’m remembering correctly, I think I had a bit of flutter with my Aquabound paddle when I first started. However, that has gone away. Today when I was out there, I noticed more fluttering when out on Lake Erie, and not so much on the smooth river. Wind was 10+ mph, and waves choppy at 1-2 ft, I’d guess.
I think I’m going to try the Cyprus to see if the smaller blades are a better fit for me. It sounds like it might be better in theory, but OTOH, I prefer a slow, smooth cadence, so maybe I am better off with the Ikelos.
It took me a year to adjust to the Ikelos. I kept using it because it is a very nice paddle for practising technical skills, like sculling, rudders, sweep strokes, etc.
If you are not much into that, but just want a good forward paddling paddle, you should try one of the medium blade Werners. The Ikelos has a huge blade, which is not the best option for most of us - it is more difficult to get a good bite in the water with a large blade.
I have paddled with the Werner Shuna a lot, and it was much more forgiving than the Ikelos.
The Werner Cyprus is between the two: Same blade size as Shuna, same blade shape as Ikelos. I have only paddled once with that and haven’t formed an opinion.
Unless your real name is Clark Kent, I would suggest the Werner Camano is a paddle you might want to try.
Also–try to concentrate on pushing the out of water blade. You shouldn’t have to think about pulling the blade in the water. Be sure that the force for all of this is coming from your torso and not your arms. Yeah, I know I’m repeating myself.
There must be some slight variable in placement of the blade in the water that causes the wobble (flutter), because I had some of that a long time ago, but it went away. It must be something very subtle about how a paddler is managing the paddle and not so much the conditions. I paddle a lot in very rough conditions and no matter which paddle I’m using, there is no flutter.
@greyheron said:
Would something like this work for hanging paddles?https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-2-28-in-Gray-Steel-Utility-Hook/50218525
I use this for hanging all of my paddles, except my all carbon-fiber Werner Camano. That one gets special treatment. 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Heavy-Duty-Flip-Up-Tool-Holder-Hooks-in-Black-01192/202305471?MERCH=REC--SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr--NA--202305471--N
I love my Werner Camano…but with all the talk about the GP experience, I think I want to try one! Can I find a two piece carbon fiber GP?
@lml999 said:
I love my Werner Camano…but with all the talk about the GP experience, I think I want to try one! Can I find a two piece carbon fiber GP?
I have a 3 piece carbon GP. I carry it as cabin luggage on flights.
The link is to the Danish manufacturer, but it is sold by a few shops in the US too:
https://gramkajak.com/products/partable-paddles-made-from-wood-og-carbon/gram-9000t-three-part-carbon-paddle/
@lml999 said:
I love my Werner Camano…but with all the talk about the GP experience, I think I want to try one! Can I find a two piece carbon fiber GP?
Gearlab makes 2-piece carbon GP paddles.
https://www.gearlabpaddles.com
The smooth feel of Western Red Cedar is something special though but I don’t know of a 2-piece maker.
You can make your own GP. You need a plane, a spoke shave and probably a jigsaw. And some sand paper. My first GP cost me $3 since I had the tools. Making one is really rewarding. Then buy a carbon one. But make your own!
I use cheap straps and tie mine to the roof rack, for short trips we just stick it in the truck between us.
@kfbrady said:
The smooth feel of Western Red Cedar is something special though but I don’t know of a 2-piece maker.
So agree with that. I tried a carbon GP. It felt lifeless compared to my Lumpy. It also was heavier.
@Allan Olesen said:
@lml999 said:
I love my Werner Camano…but with all the talk about the GP experience, I think I want to try one! Can I find a two piece carbon fiber GP?I have a 3 piece carbon GP. I carry it as cabin luggage on flights.
The link is to the Danish manufacturer, but it is sold by a few shops in the US too:
https://gramkajak.com/products/partable-paddles-made-from-wood-og-carbon/gram-9000t-three-part-carbon-paddle/
Oh my, those are very nice. I think if I went with a GP, I’d actually go with a traditional wooden one. They’re just so beautiful. And then of course, I’d be tempted to make my own…maybe for my second…
I make my own Greenland Paddles… it’s an enjoyable past time
Having just begun to use a GP myself I highly recommend giving it a try! The GP just feels really great to me, so smooth and intuitive. I really like it.
I am so up for making my own GP! I am a part time wood worker. I also bought a used wood lathe (nothing to do with paddles) this summer and have not used it yet. But I will be spending lots of time with this lathe up here on Orcas Island during the “dark months”…
@NotThePainter said:
You can make your own GP. You need a plane, a spoke shave and probably a jigsaw. And some sand paper. My first GP cost me $3 since I had the tools. Making one is really rewarding. Then buy a carbon one. But make your own!
Well, you can make your own and the tools required are pretty basic but there are some issues. Having frequently sorted through every pine and cedar 2x4 at my local H-D and Lowe’s I have never found anything straight enough, or knot-free enough, to be usable…and yes, I know you can laminate but from what I’ve seen I’d end up with more glue than wood.
Secondly, after trying a couple that an instructor friend made and comparing them to one I bought from a well respected local professional builder, there is a world of difference in terms of finesse. The one I bought has much cleaner and better defined edges and transitions, and its flex seems just perfect to me. I did buy one only after signing up for a building class that was cancelled (twice) so I am looking forward to taking a class with this builder as soon as he organizes another one.
So, for those of you skilled enough to make one successfully then congratulations. I am a fairly experienced woodworker so I hope someday to get there.
@kfbrady said:
Well, you can make your own and the tools required are pretty basic but there are some issues. Having frequently sorted through every pine and cedar 2x4 at my local H-D and Lowe’s I have never found anything straight enough, or knot-free enough, to be usable…and yes, I know you can laminate but from what I’ve seen I’d end up with more glue than wood.
Big box stores have crap wood. You need to go to a good lumber yard to source top quality wood. I’ve bought some wood from Anderson & McQuaid in Cambridge (MA) a couple of times…it’s a real delight to wander around and just admire all the different wood species…
That reminds me…I have some cedar 2x4s and T&G 1x5s piled up waiting to turn into an outdoor shower, and some 1x4 mahogany for the shower floor. Mandatory kayaking content – an outdoor shower is great after an afternoon kayaking.
Having moved down here to coastal South Carolina about a year ago (from the North East) I am continually finding a lot of things I was used to are simply missing. Lumber yards are one of them!
I do occasionally see two piece wooden GP’s made by home builders – check Etsy for them because they do turn up there. Last year at the Michigan Qajaq Training camp in Frankfort (a 4-day session that teaches traditional Greenland paddling skills) one of the seminars was instruction for making your own wooden one or two-piece GP.
I have a Gearlab 2-piece for travel (the Akiak model) as well as my original cedar GP. I still prefer the feel and performance of the wooden paddle but the Gearlab is a close second.
Speaking of two piece GP’s, I snagged a protective carrying case for the pricey carbon Gearlab in the clearance area of my local off price store last week: a pink camo padded rifle bag! I do wonder about carrying it around or leaving it in view in my car, but it really is a perfect fit (and was only $11.)
2 piece GP in red and yellow cedar. The centre of the loom is carbon fibre to allow for a ferrule. Same manufacturer as in my previous link:
https://gramkajak.com/products/wooden-paddles/gram-8400d-paddle/