Greenland Paddles vs. Euro Blades: Which is Right for You?
With kayaking, your paddle is just as important as your kayak. It shapes your comfort on the water, your efficiency, and even how long you can paddle without fatigue. There’s an almost overwhelming array of options on the market.
Two of the most popular styles of paddle that sea kayakers use are the traditional Greenland paddle and variations of the modern Euro blade. Both have their strengths, and the best choice really depends on the kind of paddling you do. You may also occasionally encounter paddlers on the water using wing paddles, which have their origin in racing. As these aren’t hugely popular, I won’t talk about them beyond this mention!
What is a Greenland Paddle?
The Greenland paddle traces its roots back thousands of years to the Inuit peoples of Greenland, who developed it as a practical tool for survival in harsh Arctic seas. Its long, narrow design was perfectly suited for efficiency; hunters could travel great distances with minimal fatigue, slip quietly through the water, and roll their skin-on-frame kayaks back upright if capsized.
Each paddle was traditionally carved from driftwood that washed ashore, carefully shaped to the paddler’s body dimensions, a truly custom fit. The Greenland paddle embodies not just functionality but cultural heritage, carrying with it a legacy of craftsmanship, resilience, and intimate connection to the sea.
The design lends itself to a gentle, flowing stroke; the paddle is usually held with half of the fingers on the blade itself, and the other half on the “loom” in the middle, with the blade canted slightly forward. This technique does take a little while to learn if you’re used to paddling with a Euro paddle. The blades slice quietly into the water and encourage a lower cadence, making it ideal for sustained paddling over many miles. Many paddlers also appreciate the way a Greenland paddle feels easier on the wrists and shoulders, especially on longer expeditions. It’s worth mentioning that I originally started using Greenland paddles when a wrist injury made it too painful for me to paddle with my Euro paddles.
Many paddlers today choose to make their own wooden Greenland paddles, just as the Inuit have always done. This is a very cost effective way of getting a new paddle, although in my own personal experience, I’ve definitely noticed that carbon fibre paddles tend to have slightly better performance in the water. The wooden ones, however, do feel very nice in your hands.
Popular manufacturers of Greenland paddles include Gear Lab, Segla Gear, Lars Gram, Eastpole Paddles and Valkyrie Craft.
What is a Euro Blade?
The Euro blade is the standard paddle you’ll see in most kayak shops today. With wide, spoon-shaped blades (often made from carbon fibre or fibreglass), it’s designed for power and responsiveness, and there’s a large variety of both blade sizes and shapes available.
The design of the European paddle emerged alongside the development of contemporary fibreglass and plastic kayaks in the mid-20th century. Inspired by canoe paddle shapes but adapted for the needs of sea and whitewater kayaking, Euro blades were designed with wide, spooned tips to generate strong power with each stroke.
As kayaking grew in popularity as both a sport and leisure activity, manufacturers refined the design with lightweight materials like carbon fibre and added options for feathered blades, bent shafts, and adjustable lengths. Today, the Euro blade dominates the kayaking world, prized for its versatility, responsiveness, and mass availability, though its design lineage is far younger than the centuries-old Greenland paddle.
This style suits paddlers who need bursts of speed, quick manoeuvres, or strong control in rough water. It’s also the paddle most beginners learn with, partly because it’s the mainstream choice and partly because its powerful catch feels intuitive at first use.
Popular manufacturers of Euro touring paddles are Werner, Celtic/Lendal, VE, Select and Segla Gear.
Which Paddle is Right for You?
At the end of the day, there’s no “perfect” paddle; Greenland paddles and Euro blades each have their own style, and both come with their own set of trade-offs. Which one feels right often comes down to personal preference, paddling goals, and even how your body likes to move on the water.
What feels effortless to one paddler might feel awkward to another, which is exactly why trying them out is so important. In the sections below, we’ll break down the specific pros and cons of each, so you can see which paddle might suit your own adventures best. Consider the following:
- If you’re drawn to multi-day expeditions or prefer a relaxed, rhythmical paddling style, a Greenland paddle may be worth considering. That’s not to say that there aren’t many, many people who continue to happily use Euro paddles for these types of trips, but because this type of paddling is where Greenland paddles really excel, they’re worth a try.
- If you love dynamic conditions, surfing, or need power at your fingertips, the Euro blade feels intuitive.
- Many sea kayakers actually carry both: a Euro blade as their main paddle and a Greenland as a spare (or vice versa).
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both. Borrow one from a friend, join a club, or attend a skills session where different paddles are available. The right paddle is the one that feels natural in your hands and supports the way you want to paddle.
Here in the UK, it’s becoming increasingly common to see a few Greenland paddles in any group of sea kayakers. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each paddle unique, starting with the Greenland paddle and then the Euro blade, so you can see how their different characteristics might match your style on the water.
Pros and Cons of Greenland Paddles
Smooth, low-impact strokes reduce strain on joints.
Excellent for long-distance touring and expeditions.
Superb for rolling.
Less immediate power in headwinds or surf.
Can feel unusual or “weak” to paddlers accustomed to Euro blades.
Requires specific technique that feels odd to many paddlers at first.
Pros and Cons of Euro Blades
Powerful strokes for acceleration and control.
Well-suited to surf, rock-hopping, and technical manoeuvres.
Widely available and familiar to most instructors.
Can lead to wrist and shoulder fatigue on extended journeys.
Less efficient over long distances if technique isn’t refined.
Final Musings
Greenland paddles and Euro blades both have long, respected histories, and neither is necessarily “better” than the other. They simply offer different experiences on the water.
By experimenting with both, you’ll find not just a paddle that suits your body, but also one that enhances your enjoyment of kayaking as a whole. Just as many paddlers will try many different kayaks before buying one of their own, it’s certainly worth the time to try lots of different paddles too.
I often see people posting online asking for paddle recommendations, and generally the response is primarily just people recommending their own favourite paddle, but this doesn’t take into account the many variables that discern us from one another, from differences in anatomy to paddling style to goals.
