: I'm not sure how much experience you've had with narrow paddles, but it may
: be that your stroke is too long. The stroke rate of a narrow paddle should
: be higher than a euro paddle -- fast enough that you shouldn't have too
: many drips getting to your hands, although narrow-bladed paddling is a
: wetter experience than euro paddling. With a fast stroke rate, the drip
: generally doesn't have time to get all the way to your hand. Your paddle
: should exit the water at about your hip. Beyond that, you're wasting
: energy.
SNIP

It may be worth pointing out that there are two very vocal camps in the American "Greenland-style" paddling community, centered around forward stroke technique. The BBK or Van Doren method, as explained by Dean, teaches holding the paddle low, a short stroke, vertical plant, high cadence while the most common method that Greenland champions, such as Maligiaq Padilla and Kaleraq Bech, teach is that the hands stay low (below the shoulders) but the angle of the paddle shaft can be varied from horizontal to near vertical, long stroke with emphasis on the exit, canted blade (top edge tilted forward), medium cadence (cadence tends to be slower than above).

Both techniques work, even though they contradict each other on many points. It makes a great debate, causes confusion and has raised many tempers, but perhaps the only solution is to experiment and find what works for you. My technique has changed dramatically over time. I recommend a knot-meter for this kind of self-discovery, as feel can fool you. You get immediate feedback on stroke variations. A GPS could also be used, but it is my understanding that they are not as responsive to subtle speed changes. Other folks have mentioned that a heart-monitor would also be useful for this.

Greg Stamer