> Any paddle can have a tendancy to flutter although european blades with
> the blade set somewhat behind the center of the shaft do it less.

> The fluttering is caused by vortex sheading occurring on alternating edges
> of the blade. The solution to this is like Jay said, angle the bottom edge
> of the paddle slightly forward. This forces the vortex to occur on just
> that side eliminating the flutter. As you start the release of the stroke,
> angle the bottom edge of the blade slightly towards the stern. This motion
> is pretty natural and if you are not already doing it, you will quickly
> adapt to it. People who don't experience the flutter are probably doing
> this already.

Hi Nick,

I think I can put down the flutter mostly to poor technique, Until the other day when I launched my boat (I'll post a pic soon) I hadn't paddled a kayak for 20 years or so, and I'd never used a greenland paddle before. I only really noticed the flutter when I dug the paddle in too deep and close to the sheer, trying to do a powerful stroke.

It really wasn't a problem, though I was starting to wonder if I'd messed up when I made the paddle. Now I'll have to find an instructor who uses a greenland paddle, I've got a feeling that they're pretty thin on the ground in this neck of the woods. I've read a bit about greenland technique but I just can't visualise what they are trying to explain.

Thanks to everyone for the advise,

Paul.