SEGT: Lars, first of all, thank you for choosing SEGT as a partner for distributing your outstanding paddles. Before getting into sea kayaking, what was your relationship with the sea and boats, and what motivated you to become professionally involved in this field?
Lars Gram: I have always been at, in, or on the sea. Ever since I was born, I sailed sailboats and dinghies for many years. About 25 years ago, I gave up sailing due to the high costs and increasingly crowded harbours, where prestige and equipment seemed to matter more than seamanship. So I turned to kayaking. At the time, I could not find a paddle that I truly liked. Most were very flexible, with plastic blades and aluminium shafts. This led me to explore the Greenland paddle. Back then, they were not commercially available, so I started making my own. After building several paddles, I felt I had figured out what worked well. I kept making more, partly because I enjoyed working with wood. Other paddlers noticed them, tried them, and before I knew it, I had become a commercial paddle maker.
SEGT: In recent years, we’ve seen a clear rise in the popularity of Greenland-style paddling, with more and more paddlers choosing a Greenland paddle as their primary tool — both to deepen their technique (such as rolling) and for expedition use. What do you think is driving this trend, and do you see it continuing in the future?
Lars Gram: There are several reasons for the growing interest in Greenland paddles. One is that it is the original paddle, used by the Inuit. Some paddlers enjoy making their own, while others prefer to purchase one. One could argue that interest in skin-on-frame kayaks should also be increasing, but I believe they are too difficult for most people to build, and only a few are made commercially. Another important reason is that it is becoming more widely understood that it is almost impossible to injure your body when using a Greenland paddle.
SEGT: What makes Gram paddles stand out from other Greenland paddles, and why should someone choose a Gram paddle?
Lars Gram: My paddles stand out because of their design. I design them to be ergonomic and to develop the user’s skill over time. This means that the more you use my paddles, the more you get out of them. They are not paddles that reveal their full potential from the very first stroke. Instead, they gradually allow you to utilize more and more of your energy efficiently. This is closely related to the blade profile and its design.
“Sea kayaking still offers something unique: exercise, nature, fresh air, time alone in a “zen” state, as well as social interaction and new friendships through group trips.”
SEGT: For many years, there was a perception that Greenland paddles provide less power compared to euroblades. However, more recent observations and user-based measurements from around the world suggest that Greenland paddles can deliver comparable cruising speeds. In your view, what does a Greenland paddle truly offer, and why should someone choose it over a euroblade?
Lars Gram: Many paddlers turn to the Greenland paddle after experiencing injuries from years of using euroblades. Others choose it because they understand its advantages. It allows for a lower, more relaxed paddling style, with less wasted energy and a significantly reduced risk of injury. Once you become familiar with it, it becomes a much more advanced tool — especially for long trips and technical paddling.
SEGT: Sea kayaking as a platform for long and demanding expeditions saw major global growth during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Today, however, there seems to be a shift toward shorter, day trips, while the sport itself appears to appeal to a smaller, more specialized audience. At the same time, younger generations — particularly Generation Z — are drawn to nature-oriented lifestyles, but face increasing economic constraints across Europe. What do you believe is the future of sea kayaking in Europe over the next 10–20 years?
Lars Gram: I believe more and more paddlers will start using the Greenland paddle. At the same time, I am concerned that overall interest in sea kayaking may decline. We already see younger generations being drawn to more action-oriented water sports, such as surf kayaking, surfskis, kite surfing, and boards. However, sea kayaking still offers something unique: exercise, nature, fresh air, time alone in a “zen” state, as well as social interaction and new friendships through group trips.
SEGT: What can kayaking — and especially Greenland-style paddling — offer to a person today?
Lars Gram: For me, sea kayaking is the ideal combination of exercise, fresh air, nature, play, and a sense of calm. It is an accessible and relatively affordable way to explore nature, stay active, and spend time either playfully or in a relaxed, almost meditative rhythm. The Greenland paddle supports you in everything you do. It allows you to explore technical skills and, thanks to its non-stressful characteristics, to paddle long distances in harmony with nature. Without even realizing it, you can slip into a nearly meditative state — a kind of “zen”. It’s pure magic.
SEGT: Lars, thank you very much. We hope to welcome you soon in Greece or Cyprus to paddle together in our waters. One final question: what has been your most beautiful or memorable paddling experience so far?
Lars Gram: There have been — and will be — many fantastic moments and trips.
But I will mention two.
The first is the many small islands south of Funen in Denmark. They are spaced at a maximum of about one hour’s paddle apart, and most are inhabited by only a few people. It feels like an H. C. Andersen fairytale. The second is the more rugged coastline outside Marstrand in Sweden, with countless small, uninhabited rocky islands where you can camp freely.