| The sea kayaking paddles and their associated | | | | movements. Many of these movements depend upon |
| paddling styles fall under two classifications-European | | | | additional buoyancy of wooden paddle. Some other |
| and Greenland. Let us discuss about these styles in | | | | Greenland paddling techniques are associated with the |
| detail. | | | | other elements of Greenland style conditions and |
| Paddle Style | | | | equipments and with the Greenland kayak design. |
| European style: European paddles are blades in the | | | | Paddlers in modern kayaks sometimes even use |
| shape of spoons at each end of a cylindrical shaft. | | | | Greenland paddle style. |
| European paddle style was developed for sudden | | | | Paddlers' Safety |
| maneuvering and fast acceleration in whitewater | | | | Paddling technique is important but even more |
| kayaking and then extended into sea kayaking. These | | | | significant is safety of paddlers in challenging conditions. |
| paddles are made of aluminum, wood, or plastic. | | | | Nowadays kayakers consider Eskimo roll a |
| However, the best paddles are made of costlier | | | | well-practiced self-righting move to be safe in open |
| material such as carbon fiber for lightness. The two | | | | water kayaking even though it is a difficult and |
| spoon-like blades are set at an angle relative to one | | | | impossible maneuver to make in heavy-laden boats. |
| another (feathered) for enhanced efficiency as in this | | | | Paddlers consider capsize the safest to paddle with |
| manner one blade moves backwards while the | | | | one, two or more paddlers, as success of assisted |
| opposite one which is moving forward through air | | | | rescue is more likely. Experienced paddlers attempt |
| presents edge rather than face. | | | | open water crossings without anyone accompanying |
| Greenland style: Greenland paddle is a long, narrow, | | | | them and various major long distance kayak |
| and flat wooden plank with a cylindrical grip at center. It | | | | expeditions are also carried out alone (solo). Sea |
| is like two elongated cricket bats that are joined at | | | | kayakers are self-sufficient and carry extensive |
| their handle base. Greenland is the traditional paddle | | | | safety equipments like repair kits, towing lines, and |
| style of Inuit hunters due to their material constraints | | | | survival gear along with them. Modern sea kayaks are |
| (driftwood). The blades of Greenland paddles are | | | | so designed that they can carry a number of |
| feathered as in European paddles. The Greenland | | | | equipments for safety reasons while on expedition of |
| paddle is narrow in comparison to European paddle | | | | two or more weeks without anyone's support. So if |
| and is 7 feet long. The paddling technique involves | | | | you are going sea kayaking choose your paddle style |
| more paddle movement in the paddlers' hand and | | | | accordingly and don't forget to carry safety |
| demands a huge variety of techniques for a capsized | | | | equipments along with you. |
| kayak by using combinations of both paddle and body | | | | |