Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Choosing A Paddle

You would think that choosing a paddle would be fairly straight forward. All paddles look the same and after all perform the same function. The difficulty lies in the huge range of paddles available. Walk into any kayak store and you will be presented with a wide array of what appears on the surface the same bit of kit.

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Shaft options:

Shafts are available in lots of different materials and each has there own set of advantages and disadvantages. At the cheaper end if the market is the aluminium shafted paddle. They can feel cold to the touch and often have some form of insulation or covering in the areas that they make contact with your hands. The shaft in such paddles will also probably be straight.

The benefits of a straight shaft is that they have a familiar feel and are cheaper to produce than their cranked cousins.

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At the higher more expensive end of the market are shafts that are constructed from composite materials such as carbon or even a carbon kevlar weave. This generally produces a much stiffer and stronger paddle shaft and opens up the possibility of creating shafts that are straight or cranked. A number of high end paddle companies have experimented with cranked alloy paddle shafts.

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Neutral bent paddle shafts (aka cranked) have become more and more popular over the last 10 years. For those who suffer from ligament damage in the wrist they can be a god send and can help prevent further damage by ensuring that the wrist stays aligned during the paddling process.

It can take a short while to get familiar with a neutral bent shaft but once happy with the change paddlers rarely return to a straight shafted paddle.

Shaft Diameter:

Back in the day you bought a paddle and your options were limited, whether you were 10 years old, male, female or a big hairy paddler you pretty much used a paddle with the same diameter shaft. Thankfully things have changed with many manufacturers producing paddles with a range of diameters. Most standard paddles have a shaft diameter of around 30mm.

Blade Shape and Construction:

One of the biggest differences between paddles is the shape and construction of the blade. This can have the biggest impact on how a paddle feels. Larger blades are harder to pull through the water but also generate more power and as such larger blades are more suitable for freestyle and white water kayaking.

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Higher end composite blades can be very stiff with little if any give. Lower end plastic blades can have a great deal of flex which can result in m power not being transferred fully from the paddle stroke to driving the boat.

Paddle Length:

An old rule of thumb was to purchase a paddle that you could just curl your fingers over if the paddle was stood vertically along side you. Those days are gone. It is true that generally the taller you are the longer your paddler will be etc, but you also need to consider the type of paddling you will be taking part in.

If you paddle a fair distance a longer paddle may be more suitable, but if you are taking part in freestyle or play boating a shorter paddle is preferable. In reality you get accustomed to what ever you are using unless the paddle length goes beyond what is sensible.

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At 6ft 2″ I use paddles at 197cm. As I use one set of paddles for all my paddling I elected for a length that would be suitable for freestyle but would also be suitable for running whitewater or in the surf.

Left or Right Handed?

Now this doesn’t fit into the same category as a left handed screwdriver or tartan paint. You can get left handed paddles. The vast majority of paddlers whetehr they are right or left handed will be taught to paddle right handed. However there is a choice. I am right handed and started paddling right handed but made a shift to paddling left handed a short while after starting out. It was easier simple as that.

The difference bewteen a right handed and left handed paddle is the way in which the faces of blades are orientated in relation to one another.

More paddlers when they learn are taught to paddle right handed regardless of whether or not they are actually right handed. As a righty I find paddling left handed more natural. Not sure why but I do.

1 Comment

  1. Neville Lucas

    Getting a new paddle (197cm rh cranked carbon) Don.t know which type to go for, river or creek what are the differences and advantages/dissadvantages of each. I’m currently paddling g3 but hoping to up my game a bit but not do big drops and falls

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