I think you should go with the wooden option, because it would give you the handling that really helpful in the future when you’re experiencing different paddles and of course on the seas against the waves!> @Jie said:
I want to buy a Greenland paddle for learning kayak roll. I saw there are wood ones and carbon fiber ones (see the link below, for example). Any advises on their pros and cons? And any suggestions on where to buy? I live in Chicago area, and am not sure if there are any stores here. Maybe I have to buy online. Thanks,
I think you should go with the wooden option, because it would give you the handling that really helpful in the future when you’re experiencing different paddles and of course on the seas against the waves!
A piece of timber from a local store will cost almost nothing.
Youtube has a few people showing how to make one.
While there are"Best Materials" you can knock one up to practice in a few hours with just basic woodworking tools, (Jigsaw, Plane,Spokeshave, Sander)
What did the Inuit use??? I have a friend that has one made by his son, it is more like the style used by the Aleution???(not sure of the spelling) people and is quite rough looking, but it works well.
Give it a try for fun
I would suggest to not base any opinion about Greenland Paddles based on something made as a first time experiment.
Instead borrow or demo a commercially made paddle made by a reputable Paddle maker that uses one and knows and understands the intricacies of the different parts of the design.
Preferably , try several different makers paddles. There are differences in design and characteristics not apparent to the untrained eye. Most people , even paddlers do not see the different combinations of traits of a certain Greenland Paddle and for the most part they all look the same to most people…BUT they are not. The same is true for Euro Paddles.
{and kayaks or canoes made by a first time builder interpreting the design with no previous knowledge of building or design.}
This , by the way, is not an endorsement of all of these paddle makers. I t is just a partial list of some commercial paddle makers. Several are new to the trade and some make paddles that don’t really work well with a canted stroke. Some are severely blunt and inefficient. for distance travel, but are comfy to grip when extended.
There are several different cuts/shaped that are represented in this list.
This is the way it use to be with Euro paddles too.
Tho the Greenland Paddle is a very old design, there never was “JUST ONE GREENLAND PADDLE”
The more modern {1850’s and never style} is less efficient for distance, {than some earlier designs} but the widest point at the tip , where the extended paddle arc for rolling, is the greatest. This helps with rolling. It also helps with sprinting, {and sculling} but this is also harder on the joints.