> I would like to construct a Greenland paddle this spring. Is there a
> formula for length versus persons height? I am average build. 5' 11"
> and 175 lbs. I think waist to sholders is pretty standard. (I enjoy site)

Hope this doesn't turn out to be a redundant post, Dave and other readers. I wrote two posts last night and only one showed up.

The gist of my message was that you can look at a capsulized version of George Ellis' writings on Greenland paddles at and get a good start on the Greenland paddle making gouge. George draws a lot of his information from John Heath, an authority of some significance on the subject, but this is as much an art as it is a science. (Magiliaq Padilla [the spelling is close if not correct] is a 16 year old Greenland National Paddling champ who is currently touring this country with John Heath, and his style is so different from what Americans consider "pure" Greenland that it has set off some interesting dialog about what the "real" Greenland style should be.) There are a lot of experts with a lot of opinions, and nobody really knows what's right! But start with George's stuff --- he's got all the basics on two pages, and he's a great teacher.

If you want to get into the details, there's a lot of old Sea Kayaker stuff out there that will give you more details and some great training and training videos --- Van Doren's among the best --- available for the techniques in using these wonderful paddles. Don't assume it's just like a Euro paddle, but the technique is very compatible with a lot of our slimmer wooden boats.

Oh, as to this being a "Spring" project --- you can carve a very serviceable first Greenland paddle in a few days' work for a few (literaly) dollars. A clear pine two-by-four is a great way to start, 'cause if you start cutting and using Greeenland paddles, your first carved paddle won't be your last.

Jack Martin