Greenland paddles, first made by Inuits听5,000 years ago, are designed for long ocean journeys. Traditional paddles鈥攍ike the ones听you may have used to kayak around a lake鈥攈ave wide blades, but a Greenland鈥檚 are long and thin. As a result听it moves less water,听and is less powerful (don鈥檛 try using one in whitewater), but also puts relatively little stress on the arms, making it more efficient and allowing you to paddle longer. If you鈥檙e going to be spending a week on the water,听or even a full day, this style of paddle is听a great choice.
The 听($348) is Taiwan-based Gearlab鈥檚听take on the Greenland. While the Inuit听made theirs out of wood, Gearlab鈥檚 team of industrial engineers designed the Akiak听with a lightweight carbon-fiber shaft and durable plastic tips that can be replaced if they crack or wear out.听
I tried the Akiak, which is on sale now, in the shallow waters of the South Platte River in downtown Denver during Outdoor Retailer. The paddle looks sharp, with a clean finish that highlights the carbon shaft; it鈥檚 also remarkably light. Space was tight with all the watercraft being tested around me, and I had my doubts about the maneuverability provided by the听thin blades, but听after a few seconds using it听I was impressed with the purchase it afforded. I set off quickly from shore, and it was easy to steer my听15-foot听kayak through the multitude of paddleboards and playboats in the water. The shaft is slightly thicker than usual, so I could grip it loosely. This听improved comfort, and I imagine it would noticeably reduce wear and tear on arms and hands during long听paddles.
Despite my initial doubts, the Akiak shows a lot of promise. Casual paddlers will certainly appreciate it, although its use is limited to ocean excursions. Think of it as a great excuse to spend more time on the open water.