Making the Right Choice for a Kayak Paddle

I spent last weekend with the Arkansas Canoe Club’s "Annual Recreational Paddling School, 2007". It is amazing how much you think you know about paddling, compared to what you have forgotten or don’t know. It is well worth the time and money to hit that refresh mentality every year. Find a club close to you to keep you up to date.

I have an inflatable, Stearns Spree-One, recreational kayak and use about a 2 lb. paddle. The first couple of miles were no problem. Then it started to get to me, I was tired. It became a lot of work. Now my research started. One of the instructors, Jerry, let me use his paddle. His was in the ounces, not lbs. It was, too, short, but the weight, what a difference.

Now, let’s start with asking the right questions. Three things need to be considered when determining the paddle for you; One, what kind of paddling are you looking for whitewater, recreational, sea, etc.? Two, what is the width (beam) of your boat, the wider the boat, the longer the paddle. Three, what is your torso size?

One,
Your style of paddling is also important. There are two groups, those with low-angle style and those with high-angle style. Low-angle style means that the paddle is held at a shallow angle more parallel to the surface of the water. It is very energy-efficient, and is the style most favored by paddlers in North America. If you don't know what your style is, it's probably low-angle.

The high-angle style sees the paddle shaft more perpendicular to the water. It is used by whitewater boaters, racers, and surfers, as well as touring paddlers who prefer a faster cadence. It is the style favored in Great Britain, and most British-made equipment is designed with this style in mind. Although it can be a bit more tiring, the faster stroke rate provides a bit more stability in really rough conditions and is slightly more efficient.

Two,
In choosing length, remember that to do you any good, the paddle must reach the water. Since it must do so over your boat, the beam of your kayak is relevant. Kayaks of 22" or less in beam will call for shorter paddles, 22.5"-24.5" will call for medium lengths, and 25" and greater will normally call for something longer. Inflatables and folding kayaks require a longer paddle.

Three,
Since kayak paddles are not sized as precisely as canoe paddles, we don't need to be as picky about exact measurements. Your height will work fine here. Roughly speaking, if you are less than 5'5" tall, we're going to find you a shorter paddle. If you're 5'6" to about 6'2" you will take a medium length, and taller that means you need something longer.

Basic types
There are four basic types of kayak paddles, choose the type which best fits your needs;

Recreational Paddles
will generally have a metal shaft and some type of plastic blade. Price point will determine if the paddle is one or two piece, if drip rings are included and if the blades are cupped. Recreational kayak paddles are shorter, heavier and of course less expensive than other flat-water paddles.

Sea / Touring Paddles
are longer than other kayak paddles and are designed for steady, rhythmic strokes over longer periods of time. Quality sea / touring paddles can be made from a variety of materials, anything from laminated hardwoods with epoxy tips to a combination of fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon, basically the stronger and lighter the paddle, the more expensive. Considering you will swing the paddle thousands of times during a paddling day, weight is extremely important. Quality blades have a cupped power face and asymmetrical leading edge for greater efficiency.

Racing Paddles
these paddles look like Sea / Touring paddles except for dramatically cupped blades, ultra lightweights and ultra high prices.

Whitewater Paddles
have big wide blades to pull lots of water. Blade tips are reinforced to withstand bashing on rocks. Single shafts and shorter lengths are more common with whitewater paddles. Materials vary radically from hardwood laminates with epoxy tips, to plastic, aluminum, Kevlar, carbon or a combination of the above.

How Do I Size a Kayak Paddle?
Kayak paddles size in centimeters (common sizes are: 220, 230 and 240-cm) Paddle length varies with the beam of your kayak, your height, your arm length, the depth of your kayak and the type of paddling you chose to do. We suggest you select a few different models, "Then Paddle with them."

One Piece, Two or Four
Two piece paddles enable the paddler to set the paddle blades at different angles - Called "feathering the blades". Off setting or feathering the blades when paddling up wind enables the top blade to carve through the wind more efficiently. When paddling down wind the paddle blades can be set parallel to take advantage of the wind, just like a sail. One piece paddles although less versatile have a more solid feel, as they have fewer moving parts. Typically, two piece paddles adjust from 0°, 60°, to 90°. A four piece paddle is great for storage and carrying. Sometimes, it is a little heavier, so making the determinate, keep this in mind.

What About Price?
Prices vary drastically from less than $100 to over $600.00 each. Which paddle is best for you? It depends on your skills and the type of paddling you want to do.

Is there a perfect kayak paddle?
Of course not, every paddle purchase is a compromise of three factors: Weight, durability, and price! Frontenac-outfitters are a great source for information and choice in paddles. Also, Paddling.net is where a lot of this information came from. Learn from the experts, Ken Whiting, Tom Watson, and more.

If you're thinking of buying a kayak, you already know that you'll need a double-bladed paddle. In fact, the double paddle has now become the badge of the kayaker. Still, there's no reason why canoeists can't use them, too. Selecting a canoe paddle will be covered in another article.

You've plenty of choices. The catalogs are full of paddles. Don't let this overwhelm you. You only need one. Borrow or rent, then buy. Choosing a paddle isn't rocket science, but it's a very important decision. After your PFD, your paddle is the most important tool in your kit. It has to fit, and it has to suit both your boat and the kind of kayaking you want to do. I would highly recommend buying a less expensive paddle in the beginning, as there is a good chance that you'll learn about elements that you like and don't like. When the time comes, you can shop for a new paddle, armed with the knowledge to make the best decision. Paddlers in big folding doubles or inflatables will want something close to 250 cm (8¼ ft). Whitewater boaters, on the other hand, will go shorter, starting at 205 cm (6¾ ft) and moving down from there. Remember, it will depend on the beam size.

How important is choosing the right Kayak Paddle? The paddle is the engine that actually controls the speed and guides you. Purchasing the best paddle(s) you can afford is a wise investment for both water efficiency and performance. If you are confused by the sizes, shapes, materials and jargon? "Don't be", remember choosing the right paddle(s) is easy. We offer bundles or packages that include paddles. The paddle is affordable and will get you started, but the longer you paddle, you will eventually find the perfect paddle. I guarantee you will own several paddles and change them out for the particular style of paddling at the time. I paddle where I can, whitewater, recreational, or flat!

We hope this article helps.