Thsi past weekend, my daughter worked at the paddlesport show Canoecopia in Madison, WI. Her job was directing customers to one of the 20 registers. So she got tosee what everyone was buying. She saw as many Greenland paddles purchased as Euro. This surprised her because she figured most people (like her dad) make their own Greenland paddles. Anyone else seeing this kind of trend?

Paddlesport is coming up in about a week and a half here in Jersey; I'll take a look at the GP vendors. But, as with anything "new", some people always prefer to buy rather than make; they don't have the time, the interest, or the skills. The growth in GP use around here is phenomenal--some of it may be due to perceived advantages of the skinny stick; some of it is a "follow the leader" thing, as most of the paddlers using the GP are very social folks. As a solitary old "rogue elephant" myself, I continue to be fully satisfied with my Euro. I generally do 17-20 nautical-mile daytrips, while my GP-wielding cohorts generally spend more time at play, and don't usually paddle that long or far. May be just coincidence.

Hey Strange Magic - I usually paddle with my Derek Hutchinson Toksook, but occasionally, I use my GP. I like the GP after finally taking a lesson in how to use it properly. I rely more on the Toksook in big open water just because I am more used to bracing with a flat slap as opposed to the moving bracing stroke. I used the GP during the entire Everglades trip last year and enjoyed it. It's hard to beat for rolling. Steve

Hey Steve, Bob Zelley and I will be at Paddlesport on the Saturday, from maybe 10:30 to mid-afternoon. See you there?

Carl

Difficult to get hard sales numbers since many people either still make their own or buy them from small private craftsman paddlemakers.

Paddles made w. carbon are not do it yourself projects so add their sales to the mix as well.

As the boomer population keeps aging and shoulder problems (from paddling & other activities) inevitably increase, the popularity of the sticks may surge.

I paddle & like both: different reasons, different venues...

I went to a GP to be easier on a reconstructed left shoulder, I have found it makes me able to paddle farther and roll easier then a euro paddle.

I have made a number of GP's now but the carbon ones that can be purchased really far out preform the wood ones IMHO. I have a Novorca carbon paddle. http://novorca.com The quality of these paddles are really a work of art. The strength will make the paddle last a lifetime and the light weight will allow you to paddle for a lifetime.

I am hooked on the GP and dont see myself going back, last weekend I did about 50 miles with my carbon GP and the light weight sure had me going farther faster then others I have used.

Thom