I'm #241 and proud of it! My paddle arrived well within the quoted time and after unravelling the packing material, there was no mistake of a work of art revealed. I wanted a copper look to complement my kayak full of metallic bling and character; a tough act to follow. Ron, you did it!

I couldn't get to the water fast enough to test out the new design (I also own #196). Let's say I'm a middle of the road paddler in terms of speed and last weekend I was out on the San Francisco bay with 3 others that I paddle with a lot and found myself waiting for the others to catch up. Coincidence? - I don't think so. I tested it now on three venues - river/lake/rough water bay and felt like a warrior conquering all conditions thrown at me. The #196 has been officially turned over to my husband, who is thrilled. My close kayaking community are standing in line to test it. Beware there will be more orders - Nice problem to have, Eh?

We got the three paddles on Friday night ( Sunday night now). My wife and I were joking away as we took off the bubble wrap and the plastic sheaths, and then the conversation stopped as we beheld the paddles. It’s safe to say neither of us was prepared for just how beautiful the works are. Each was as gorgeous as the next: the blue Aleut was a knockout but the others have such strong character and such a complex, lustrous surface. They feel divine, light and balanced and smooth as glass. The way they catch the light is stunning.

We took them out for a paddle on Saturday morning and one of our paddling friends, a conservation architect who works on cathedrals and theaters and such, couldn’t stop enthusing about the blue of the Aleut – he likened it to Lapis Lazuli. The blades were wonderful in the water, assured, communicative, strong, roll easily and so pleasant to hold. Turned heads, as you might expect. Out again today with the GP to do some rolling… exquisite.

I can honestly say I have never owned something which is at once so sublimely beautiful and so perfectly functional . Your paddles are an astonishing and finely realized fusion of art and utility.

We’ll send you some pix a bit later when we can get the Bridge or Opera House as a backdrop.

Got my 3rd and 4th Novorca cabon paddles last week. Fantastic as always - and this is one builder that I expect the finest work from - no compromises and no apologies ever needed.

My orange glitter Aleutian is alive in my hands every time I paddle it and my wife is ecstatic regarding her sapphire blue glitter Greenland Paddle 86D. We both got our paddles to match our boats (yup) and couldn't be more satisfied.

Note: I also got Ron to build a matching orange norsaq to go wtih the paddle....S-U-W-E-E-E-T!!!!

Thanks Ron!

Scott Lovrien
Wallingford, CT

I'm #208!!! Just got my beautiful paddle and christened it last night. Love it, love it! And so did everyone else! Hardly got to use it myself and almost didn't get it back. Lots of compliments and questions on where I got it. I think you're gonna be very busy!

Rosanna


http://www.qajaqusa.org/cgi-bin/GreenlandCommercialForum_config.pl?page=1;md=read;id=4374

I'm writing to thank you so much for the carbon paddle. The wife just returned from a week long business trip to find your tube/package placed in the corner. The packaging was done very nicely. In shipping one of the ends had been crushed and your bubble wrap and plastic sleeve kept the paddle in perfect condition. The red dye in the carbon is a great touch, the black carbon has red highlights! The paddle itself is extremely light, she wouldn't put it down. The Scotchlite reflective stickers are a wonderful touch although at this point she doesn't wish to mar the surface. We have a pool rolling class tomorrow and she's looking forward to it with high expectations and a smile. Thanks again Peter Sanders
— Peter Sanders, Hawthorne, NY

Hello Ron I received my paddle today in fine shape ; packed extremely well ( I would be glad to ship tube back to you if think worth it ). I have to tell you as I’m sure all your new customers do . . . this paddle is simply beautiful! Almost dread using; it’s so gorgous . . . but that’s what they are for. The “root beer “ coloring is really unique! The whole thing is unique. It feels absolutely great and I cannot believe how light it is and well balanced. Worth the wait. John B
— John Bowman, Salisbury NC

Ron - I now rarely paddle with anything other than your 84" GP, which I purchased last summer at Boreal Kayaks. If I reach for a wooden GP, it's for your 85 inch cedar model with the same slightly squared ends as the 84. These two are very close in feel but there is something delicious in the way the carbon fiber model slices and sweeps through the water in, for eg, a reverse sweep or storm roll. Congratulations on crafting superb paddles. Dennis Asmussen, Saint Paul
— Dennis Asmussen, Saint Paul, MN

Well Ron, today I went for a paddle & a few rolls . . . amazing! Light,sturdy,solid,clean in and out of water, fast & very confortable. I notice the less flex than my wood ones, wich is what I was looking for (slightly more agresive),they react fast,nice width for rolling. What can I say ,very pleased. Oh & they just look wonderfull in the sun against my cream kayak. Very nice looking wooden paddles in you´re web ,the ones with hardwood edges & tips . . . keep up that good work. I´ll be sending some fotos when the three of us get together. Cheers, Ruskin.
— Ruskin Herman, Canary Islands, Spain

I now own 2, yes two Novorca paddles. They are by far the best G-Paddles I hve ever tried or used. Why 2? Because they are different and equally awesome and efficient. Like a 'Hot Knife through Butter' is the only way I can describe the entry into the water. Can anyone come up with a better metaphor? Sam Kayam
— Sam Hollander, Chittenden, Vermont

Ron, I meant to email you. Thank you very much for the paddles! I have taken them both out several times and am very pleased. The carbon one is so buoyant, and so far I haven't noticed any issue with slipperiness using glacier gloves. The white tips look great. This is definitely my main paddle now. Thanks a lot! Patrick
— Patrick McCarty , Portland, OR

As a traditionalist, I always felt that Greenland paddles should be made from wood and I made all of mine accordingly. I have a skin on frame kayak that I built based on a Greenland replica and using a carbon fiber paddle with it seemed silly. Once I tried one of your paddles I was smitten. I just received mine and it is a thing of beauty - just like my kayak. The shorter loom you made for me is perfect as well. So now I have a new tradition. Thanks again, Ron.
— Jerry Borenstein, Yonkers NY

..............................absolutely awesome !!! Exactly what I was looking for.............I'll give you some more detalied feedback as I use it more..............totally happy customer.......feel free to refer anyone to me that is wondering about this paddle.
— Bruce Stitt

Hi Ron, I received my paddle today and I am completely blown away at the beautiful art work you have created! I have only one problem now.....I don't want to put it in the water.... I just want to hang it on the wall to show it off. But, I will have to break down and use it this weekend and show it off on the water. I'll let you know how it handles in the water. You are an artist with precision. Can you mix those two words together? I think so. I started school in art, then changed to architecture, and then decided on Mechanical Engineering, which I have been doing for over twenty years. When I design equipment I must always imagine how it will work from both the designers point of view and the operator's. From sketches the machine is then engineered. But I feel that the thinking process is the same whether it is in art or machine design or in your case tool making. You have it all. more . . . I paddled this last weekend and put in about twenty miles in the California delta. Your design paddles very "sweeeeeeet." I have found that this paddle uses the same stroke as the wing paddles I own. At first I paddled the conventional way but as time went on I was doing the wing paddle stroke with emphasis on torso rotation. The swing weight seems closer to the center of the paddle so it feels so light and that contributed to doing those miles effortlessly. It is just a beauty in both form and function. Out of my 11 paddles I own I have just found my favorite. Great Job! Thank you, Paris
— Paris Rivera, Sacremento, California

Ron, I wanted to follow up and let you know how delighted I am with my new carbon paddle. When I first received it my thoughts were how very beautiful and well made it was. You're craftsmanship and attention to detail is certainly top notch. The custom blue fade turned out better than I imagined. I must also mention that the choice of loom shape really sold me. The rectangular cross section is very secure and fits my hands well. I was suprised at how light the paddle feels. This will make those twenty mile days even more enjoyable. On Saturday we performed a rolling demo and this was the first time I actually got to use the paddle. All I can say is wow! The silky smooth feel of the paddle cutting through the water combined with the added buoyancy made performing my rolls a snap. Several people approached me asking about it so it was definately an eye catcher. I'm now looking forward to trying it in open water. I can't imagine being dissapointed. Thanks again Ron for creating this beautiful and functional work of art. Sincerely, Gary Grzybek
— Gary Grzybek, Stillwater NJ

I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with my paddle. I paddled about 20 miles with it yesterday and felt I could have just kept going. It feels right in my hands. Not only is it light weight and pretty, it has a lively feel to it and lots of power. A real joy to use. Thanks Ron
— Stepen Ford, Corpus Christi Texas

Your paddle [88" shoulderless] is a true beauty to behold....but even more important it handles itself beautifully in the water. Very nimble, light, yet powerful. A beauty to paddle. I'm really impressed. Also thought the shoulderless paddle might be too shoulderless....but it is just right. Know just where my hands should be on the stock...but if boat is weathercocking just a slight adjustment of the paddle to one side or the other corrects it immediately without having to edge the kayak.
— Kenneth Johnson , Corpus Christi TX

Ron.....I was just admiring this work of art you call a Greenland paddle. Wow....it is beautiful. I weighed it on my kitchen scale and it came in at just under 24 ounces. I will put it in the water next Sunday and I think it will be the perfect compliment to my nearly new Romany. Thanks for a great piece of work. Herb
— Herb Bourque, Blain Minnesota

Ron This carbon Aleutian paddle is beautiful beyond any paddle of any type that I have ever seen!!! Can I use it? I don’t know if I dare to in fear of nicking or scratching it.. ..but then again, who am I to deny this paddle from its rightful place in the ocean? Now, I am just awaiting the arrival of my matching steed – the black metal flake over golden yellow Nordkapp Classic!! One will so perfectly complement the other that I am hesitant to use this paddle with any other boat – as any other kayak will just not measure up!! THANK YOU THANK YOUTHANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Like the carbon Greenland paddle you made for me two years ago – this one will always have a home here with me!!!
— Scott Lovrien, Wallingford, CT

Hey Ron. Sorry for the delay getting back to you, but I've been able to use it a couple of times now. The first time it was cold enough that I had to wear neoprene gloves, which I generally hate because they really alter the feel of a paddle (any paddle, not just yours). Combine that with it being a new paddle with a different feel than my old one and I had a somewhat clumsy outing. I couldn't quite get the blade entry right and I couldn't settle on what angle I wanted to use. I noticed the weight difference and that it swings effortlessly, but I can't say I got a real good feel for it on that outing. This past weekend was a different story. We had very nice, mild weather (finally) and I was able to paddle for a few hours without gloves. That let me really feel what the blade was doing, and all the problems, if that's what you want to call them, I had last time disappeared. Your loom fits my hands well and the shape makes for a comfortable grip. I fixed the blade entry, and I quickly found a comfortable angle. You were absolutely right about the rigidity - without the gloves, I could feel the subtle snap (for lack of a better word) at the end of each stroke resulting from the blades flexing just a wee bit, just like wood. Suffice it to say I was impressed by its performance, and there's no question it will be my #1 paddle for a long time to come. Thanks for designing and building such a quality paddle. You're welcome to post my comments on your website. If I think of it and can find the time, I'll post a review on p-net after I've used it more, rolled with it, etc. Regards, Ken
— Ken Miller, MURPHYSBORO, IL

Ron, UPS delivered the "masterpiece" today. What a beautiful work of art! Everything you did, including the bubble wrap and the paddle sock was 1st rate and way over the top. I am actually speechless and hard pressed to write to you about what I think. I really like and appreciate your stamped/carved signature and date on the loom. I am also greatly impressed with the slight ridge or backbone you carved on the low end of the blade; It's all just so amazing to me. And the maple edges are way too cool and really give the paddle an authentic look of whale bone edges. I am so giddy and tickled pink (I don't know what or where that expression came from or what it means actually) that I'm looking forward taking it with me to paddle-making workshop to show off. You are definitely "The MAN, Ron"!!!
— Julian Kryzanowsky, Haymarket, Virginia