As a paddler of wooden kayaks and a maker of Greenland paddles, I service my boats to keep them crisp and safe. Over the past decade I have found that I much prefer using a Greenland paddle instead of the wider European paddle most Americans use. I like the added bracing characteristics of the paddle and don’t seen to suffer any speed drawbacks with the smaller sticks. I don’t lag behind other paddlers over the course of many miles and I don’t have any problem using them in the surf zone or in a big swell. I have used western red cedar, laminated pine, almond, and redwood, and have split a paddle and added a ferule for easy transportation and storage. I found using hand tools to fashion the blades very rewarding, more than using modern power tools. The end result is that each paddle is unique.

My experience paddling wood kayaks and using wood paddles led me to the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, Washington.

Over the twenty-five years I have paddled I’ve read and discussed with other paddlers the origins of kayaks, their paddles and methods used by Inuit and Aleuts. I’ve seen and read about skin on frame boats and have contemplated building one using traditional methods and modern nylon “skin.” One of the things I learned along the way is the amazing speed of the Aleuts reported by the Russians in the 19^th century. Using their unique bidarkas that carried up to three individuals and a similar to Inuit but modified paddle they were able to paddle at ten knots. Most sailing ships in the 18^th and 19^th century only sailed at 12 knots and speeds exceeding 16 were considered swift. This put Aleut paddle on my list of things to search for at the festival.

I didn’t find one so I’m still on the hunt. I did find the Humpback Kayaks and Paddles booth. Joe, the owner, builds custom kayaks on demand and creates wood European paddles that are extremely light and beautiful. Adorned with an engraved or painted humpback whale, the hollow loomed paddles are works of art. His Greenland paddles were well made and attractive also have his humpback logo.. If I didn’t make my own, I would have left some of my money with him.

More than his workmanship, I warmed up to his personable style and genuine interest in participants who stopped by his booth. Over the three days I stopped in and chatted with him and his wife every day. Even after he knew I made my own paddles and wasn’t in the market, it didn’t dissuade him from engaging in a paddling conversation. Having spent his money to come to Port Townsend from Chicago, he had every right to look for customers who would help pay the freight. I wasn’t one of those since I was only in the market for an Aleutian paddle. Here was a guy I wanted to sit down for a coffee or spend Saturday mornings paddling the nearby waters of the San Juan Islands or Lake Michigan in his home state.

One of the things I like about this recreation of paddling kayaks is the great people I meet along the way. Joe was certainly one those people. If you’re looking for an off the shelf paddle or custom kayak, you would do well to give him a call. See his paddles and kayaks at www.humpbackkayaks.com.