Graphite Greenland Paddle

Overall finish was very good, except for the blade tip profiling. It is also evident that two halves are glued together, and there is no fiber reinforcement across the joint (eg. no tip or edge armor). This makes for a fine edge, but it is also fragile (one tip has cracked from a glancing strike on a submerged stump).

The Lendal joint is a bit finicky, probably due to the nature of carbon-carbon friction. I find it best to pre-wet the joint before tightening the screw only moderately to eliminate rotation. It is not up to the job of making a completely rigid paddle.

What other reviewers have said about rolling and bracing performance is spot-on. It has a very firm catch for a greenland paddle, and is also very buoyant for the static brace. I would give it a ten except for the quality issues, which are not easily excused at that price.

I love it. Outrageously light. Very strong. Shows no signs of significant wear despite heavy use so far. Feels great in the hand. Have not had problems with it being slippery-when-wet, as some others have mentioned.

To anyone who has not yet tried greenland paddling, but is thinking about it...I would strongly urge you to give it a try. I immediately found it to be a much more natural paddling motion (had been doing a high-angle style with a bent-shaft Werner Ikelos prior). I love its performance in high winds; it seems utterly unaffected by winds from any direction, even in mid-30-knot winds. The fact that the arms are kept relatively low and the body does not have to turn to the side as much (torso twist is "magnified" due to the hands being closer together) keeps one naturally more balanced. Using a canted-blade technique for forward paddling, and given the thin blades, one is able to convert to a low-brace instantaneously on the same side as a power stroke...while the dynamics of the canted stroke make needing to brace on the side opposite the power stroke unlikely. Rolling is a breeze. I have had no problems learning to surf kayak using one. In fact, the while somewhat lacking "power" in the surf, the GP has the advantage of being less likely to be disturbed by the wave you are trying to punch through, or being snatched out of your hands while capsized.

Simply a great method of paddling, and Superior's version is simply great as well. While many prefer the aesthetics of a wood paddle, I prefer the strength and lightness of their perfectly-symmetric carbon fiber. And though some claim less "feel" with carbonfiber vs. wood, I think that the stiffness of carbonfiber actually produces more true "feel". Furthermore, it is more efficient in transmitting your movements and power to the water.

The cons on this paddle are obvious, the carbon fiber is too slippery. My hand has slipped off a few times underwater when trying to roll. I've corrected this with paddle wax which makes the whole paddle tacky and sticky to the touch. I may also add some reflective tapes to the tips to make the black paddle stick out a bit more and also to protect the tips from the many rocks I am bound to find. I wish that superior could do a bit more for custom sizing, I understand it comes from a mold so it is limiting, but it would be nice to be able to get a slightly longer loom with out lengthening the over all paddle, and also to narrow the blade a bit for those of us with small hands. But nothing is perfect. I think my speed and acceleration with this paddle is better, but time will tell.

My first test I took it out on a windy choppy day and I had the fear that it would blow away if I set it down. Paddling with it was effortless. The first thing I noticed was it's ultra smooth surface glided through the water... almost too easily. It didn't feel like it had the same "grip" on the water the wooden one did. But then again it seemed I got two strokes in the same time as one for the wooden blade and had no trouble keeping up. Once the boat was up to speed that feeling lessened somewhat.

I tried rolling and the second thing I noticed was the it is more slippery that the wooden one (The purists scored another point). On an extended paddle roll it did slip a couple times surprising me but the buoyancy of the paddle made the roll seem effortless (there is that word again).

The third 'complaint' I had was that near the tip the blade gets thin and gripping it hurt my fingers a little. Maybe I had a death grip because it slipped but it felt much sharper than the wooden one which has a larger radius at the edge.

I loved the idea and feel of a carbon fiber paddle and I figured there must be some way to fix this. Ok, don't laugh, but I got a 1 inch roll of black marine grade non-skid tape they use on boat decks (I have used it on my fiberglass boat near the cockpit so my hands won't slip when I get out so I knew it would survive sticking under water). I put the tape along the length of the blade edges from just below the tip to under where my fingers grip. I also put a piece on each flat side of the loom leaving a clear area for my thumb (no blisters please).

Wow, what a difference! First it looks cool, like it belongs there (don't use white tape). Second, it no longer slipped. It grips as well if not better than the wooden one. That material actually does feel smooth when I slide my hand over it so it doesn't prevent a smooth transition to the extended paddle hold. Third the tape increased the radius near the tip just enough so it felt much more comfortable gripping it for the roll (or maybe it's because I no longer needed the death grip). 3rd it increased the 'grip' on the water quite a bit. Since the water flows over the edge of the blade as it passes through the water I hoped by making it less smooth the paddle would give me the feeling of more resistance which it does. I feel like I get much more acceleration on each stroke.

Bottom line, get one! I just sent away for a second paddle.

The Unexpected: a funky/funny ringing noise when you tap the paddle against almost anything solid and this curious grating sound as it dips into the water. Negatives: Black is only color option is hard to find sometimes in camp! The loom is a bit big in diameter for me (but the composite grips surprisingly well considering a slick appearance). I can't consider the price a negative since I love to paddle and this is one of my fav. hobbies and that the paddle should last many many years with: Positives: no maintanence. Awesome power to weight ratio.

Compared to these other paddles I own: Betsie Bay---no comparison, in every catagory except for my personal grip size. Cricket---the Cricket is my choice over the composite for 90 percent of my paddling because of the fit and the simple beauty of it...also, hard pressed I would say that the shoulders on the Cricket are softer and a little more comfortable...and there is that allure of wood....if you are going Greenland go Cricket-Period! If you can afford another pre-manufactured GS (Greenland style) go with the Sup.Kay.Inc model which happens to be the only composite Greenland Style paddle on the market!