Paddles

The blades of eastern Canadian Arctic kayak paddles were long and narrow, offering minimal wind resistance when out of the water. Drip rings of fibre or sinew-wrapped skin surrounded the handles and blocked water from running down onto the hunter’s hands. To keep as quiet as possible when approaching game, a pad of fur lay in front of the cockpit: this muffled the drumming sound of water dripping from the paddle onto the kayak cover.