Aleut paddle

Dyson and others show photographs of Aleut paddlers of open, multi-person craft umiak using a single bladed paddle similar to a canoe paddle. Single bladed paddles were common use in Iqyax ('kayaks') as well.

The Aleut double bladed kayak paddle is similar in shape to a Greenland paddle, except that the front and back faces are asymmetrical. The back face is nearly flat, while the front, or power face often had a pronounced ridge the length of the blade. Sometimes this ridge had a groove cut into it, and also running the length of the blade. Aleut paddles are as varied (or more varied) than Greenlandic paddles; some examples in the image on the right:

See also:

• David Zimmerly's excellent website:
• jkolsen's site and Lew Plummer's layouts:

Compare with:

• Euro paddles
• Greenland paddles

Making an Aleut Paddle

While not as popular as the Greenland paddle, Aleut paddle enthusiasts are just as keen, if not keener, on the merits of their chosen paddle. Making an Aleut paddle, either single or double blade, is relatively straightforward. Search Google for web info. Examples are:

Chris Brown's instructions
Bjorn Thomasson's design