I finished my GP, gave it a wax job and took it along with the Expedition to the water and gave it a try. This was the first time I've ever paddled with a stick and I'd have to say that I was very impressed. I had been a little concerned about the amount of flex in the paddle, but that turned out to be nothing to worry about. In fact, what little flex actually happens, might be a plus; it gives a little kick at the end of the stroke.

I found paddling with the GP encourages torso rotation and a few other things that relate to what I've come to think is proper form. I settled on just a little less than 1 1/2" for the diameter of the shaft. It does increase the weight a little, but I think it is worth it for the more relaxed grip.

The paddle seemed to work great at every angle, except for maybe extreme high angle (verticle), because of drips. This might be fine for keeping one cool on a hot day, but I normally don't go verticle except on a banzai charge. At lesser angles the drips were of little consequence.

The first couple of strokes from a standing start are not as effective as a euro blade, but once you're moving, any disadvantage disappears.

I guess I should have moderated my enthusiasm for the new blade, because I overdid it a little. The tide was running right, so I went with it and decided to do a 25 miler (round trip). The whole trip went very well until I got back to the launch site and got out of the boat. I then realized I was completely out of gas. It took every ounce I had left to carry the boat to the trailer and drive home.

Sounds like a GREAT paddle (both the GP and the trip)!

deb

Magooch, best wishes with the GP. A year from now, let us know if you're still using it. In my case, after trying the New (really the Old) religion of the GP, I went back years ago to the Old (really the New) religion of the Europaddle. Players love the GP; Explorers still end up plying the 'glass spoons.

My first impressions of the GP is that it is easier on the arms and shoulders and it moves the boat along very well, but I don't think I would ever leave shore with just the GP on board. I want one of my euros on the back deck in case things get real bumpy.

The GP does grab the attention of other paddlers. I'm afraid I might have offended a fellow paddler the other day when I finished that first outing with the GP. This fellow came over to me as I was off-loading some of the junk I carry along on the boat. He was curious about the paddle and I'm afraid my answers were rather terse, since I was feeling more like I should find a place to pass out for a while. I hope I see this guy again, so I can apologize for being so short with him.

I had to do a little touch up on the paddle, so it will be out of commission for a few days. I want to try it out on the Sirocco.

We've got a lot of Qajak USA members and other heavy-duty devotees of Inuit/Greenland boats, paddles, gear here on the East Coast, so the sight of a skinny stick is no big deal in these parts.

I went back to my favorite euro yesterday and I noticed immediately how much more strain there is on my arms and shoulders. The grip on the euro didn't even feel right to me for awhile.

I'm starting to think about building another GP, but not before some more testing with the first one. I wish I knew what the thinking is with the different shapes.

Several years ago I tried a GP and now the only time I use a Euro style paddle is in the creeks. I have had some long days with with my GP ( 40+ miles ) and loved the fact that they do not work you as hard as a Euro paddle. Bad weather has not been a problem as I have been able to keep a constant and steady pace for a longer period of time with the GP.

There is a some good Info at http://www.qajaqusa.org on GP paddles.

I just ordered one from http://www.tuktupaddles.com/

I can't wait to try it out!

It's always exciting to try out a new toy. My GP taught me a couple of lessons that probably wouldn't have occured to me without it. I have found one particular lesson useful with my Euros. I'm not going to say what it is, because I don't want to embarass myself.

oh come on, what is it???

Well, okay. Most of my Euro paddles have a grip area where one naturally tends to hold the paddle. The GP paddle doesn't have a specific hand location, so one day when I was paddling along, the wind and current were creating a situation where the kayak I was in was wanting to pull to the right. For a while I edged the boat a bit to keep it on course, but as that got tiresome, it dawned on me to slide the paddle to my right a couple of inches to lengthen the leverage on that side. It worked and I was able to maintain my cadence and equal effort on both sides of the boat. No corrective strokes were required and any edging was minimalized.

I made a mental note to myself to use that same technique when using a Euro under the same circumstances. It works.

There; do you see what I mean about embarassing myself? It shouldn't take years of paddling and a GP paddle to figure that out, but it did. On one of my paddles--a Werner--there is no particular grip location. I guess that should have given me a clue. I don't use that paddle much, so that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Actually that's a nice bit of wisdom to pass along....my straight Camano would be the same.....they rented me an ergonomic Werner and I hated it....

My GP is on the way, it was shipped today to Montreal from New Jersey.....going to be interesting learning to roll all over again!

I received my GP last week from Tuktu Paddles in New Jersey, USA. Took it out for an hour or so Friday night and then for a couple of hours Saturday morning. I really enjoyed using it! I have used a Euro paddle for almost twenty years, much of that white water kayaking, and since I started sea kayaking about a month ago have abandoned a feathered setup in favor of unfeathered.
I definitely enjoyed how the GP goes in the water at once when my hand approaches the water, and the blade works for me the whole paddle stroke. I like the slight spring when it exits the water, and I like the little bit of flex I get as well. My arms and shoulders weren't tired...although I only went about 5 kms and there was little wind either paddle.

I also liked how holding the blade could make for a very powerful sweep stroke!

My Sunday morning paddle was in more challenging wind and wave conditions, so I went with what I knew...a feathered Euro.
I actually appreciated my Euro more, after having paddled with the GP.

I'll have to train myself on the GP when I am in a friendly situation, i.e. next spring at the lake, when I can run my rolls on both sides and braces etc.

Anyway, I am glad I got the GP, it definitely expands my range of useful tools for this awesome hobby!

With summer over, I probably will have a little more time to spend in the shop, so maybe I'll get around to building another GP. I've studied a lot more pictures, so my next one will be somewhat different than the first, but it will be the same length.

Lately, I've switched back to my favorite Euro, but when I go for any distance, I carry the GP on the rear deck. My wife made a nice bag for it and it provokes questions about "what's in the bag?"

qajaqusa.org has a link or two on building a GP.

I've been using a carbon GP for the past summer that I picked-up on e-bay as a factory second. People have told me it looks like one manufactured by Superior.

The last time I used my euro paddle I got a case of tennis elbow. Never had that happen with my GP.