The easiest way when choosing kayak paddles or canoe paddles is: Come to us or write to us and together we will choose your paddle. We haven’t had a dissatisfied customer afterwards! As a consumer, I always want to know more before I buy a product and I don’t feel comfortable if I don’t know the right questions to ask. Forums offer both information and misinformation. The right paddle for someone may not be the right one for you and vice versa. That’s why we provide you with basic information here.
A kayak paddle is characterized by: length; area, shape and angle of the blades; weight; material; shape and form of the shaft.
Length
The length depends on the paddling angle, your height and the width of the kayak. In a low angle paddling style, when paddling away from the sides of the kayak, the paddle is longer. The low angle paddling style is the most widespread because it is the easiest and less tiring. The high angle paddling style, when paddling close to the sides of the kayak, is more efficient and requires a shorter paddle length. If your kayak is wide, as well as if you are tall, you will need a longer paddle.
Paddle selection at low angle paddling
| paddler’s height | width of the kayak | |||
| less than 58,4 cm | 58,4 – 71,1 cm | 71,1 – 81,3 cm | over 81,3 cm | |
| less than 153 cm | 210 cm | 220 cm | 230 cm | 240 cm |
| 153 – 168 cm | 215 cm | 220 cm | 230 cm | 240 cm |
| 168 – 183 cm | 220 cm | 220 cm | 230 cm | 250 cm |
| over 183 cm | 220 cm | 230 cm | 240 cm | 250 cm |
Paddle selection at high angle paddling
| paddler’s height | width of the kayak | width of the kayak |
| less than 63,5 cm | over 63,5 cm | |
| под 155 cm | 200 cm | 220 cm |
| 155 – 163 cm | 205 cm | 220 cm |
| 163 – 183 cm | 210 – 215 cm | 220 cm |
| над 183 cm | 215 – 220 cm | 230 cm |
Weight
The weight of the paddle depends on the material, the length of the shaft and the size of the blades.
If you do, for example, 60 strokes per minute (each dip of the blade is a stroke), in an hour you would have done 3,600 strokes. In 4 hours you will do 14,400, etc. If the difference in the weight of 2 paddles is 200 grams and every 2 strokes are counted as weight lifting, then with the lighter paddle you will have “lifted” 360 kg less in 1 hour, and in 4 hours – 1440 kg.
The lighter paddles use high-tech materials and know-how. Meaning, the price of the paddle depends to the greatest extent on the weight. Whether to pay more for a lighter paddle depends on how you use the kayak. If it’s mainly for fun on a short weekend trip, for family fun when you’re at the beach, for fishing, then a heavier paddle will do. However, if you intend to do long and multi-day trips and can afford the price, then don’t hesitate! Even after the first day of paddling you will say to yourself: “Good thing I’ve chosen a lightweight paddle”.
Material
The following materials are used: aluminum, polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, fiberglass, carbon and wood. In some technologies, materials are combined to achieve the optimal compromise. For example, the TNP Wolferine has fiberglass-reinforced polymer blades that strike a balance between impact strength, weight, and stiffness. The materials of the paddle depend on its weight, strength, stiffness and flexibility. The weight should be low, the stiffness and strength should be high, and at the same time it should be flexible enough to keep its shape. These are properties that fundamentally contradict each other. You will know such paddles (unfortunately) by the price. Therefore, it is important to decide where and under what conditions you will mainly kayak. In fast moving waters or calm rivers; surfing, playing in rock gardens or deep water paddling. Of course, many kayakers have more than one paddle.
The wooden paddles (Greenland paddles) are back in full force! Not only because they are lightweight, beautiful and pleasant to the touch, but also because they are very gentle on the shoulders and wrists. They significantly reduce fatigue when paddling. We keep a full range in stock.
Area, angle and shape of the blades
- The area of the blades depends on how much water you will push out with each stroke. Stronger people prefer large blades. They are fundamentally more efficient because they allow you to move faster at the same paddling pace. For long trips, as well as for physically weaker paddlers, paddles of medium and small size are generally recommended.
- The shape of the blades has a bearing on how they swirl the water. The shape depends on whether the paddle will enter the water efficiently, whether it will come out easily and without drawing water, and whether while we are pulling it will stand stable or play in the water. The latter is most often found in cheap or dubious origin paddles. If the paddle has the appropriate asymmetry for the respective paddling style (high or low), it will displace an equal amount of water with its top and bottom. That means, you won’t have to squeeze the handle to keep the blade stable in the water. And if it has a correctly calculated dehydral shape, so that it “chases” part of the water and does not create water eddies that destabilize the paddle, then you will be able to paddle correctly by just pulling the paddle with your fingers, without squeezing it. Not to mention the wrist injuries you could otherwise cause.
- The blades on most paddles are rotated 60 degrees relative to each other as standard. This is done so that when one blade is submerged in the water, the other has very little area available to the wind if it blows against it. Otherwise, paddling is difficult, and a strong wind can even tear the paddle from your hands. We have paddles where the angle can be adjusted to your preference and the wind.
| Asymmetry | Dehydral form | Angle of the blades |
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Shape and form of the shaft
There are two types of shaft shapes: the traditional straight shaft and the bent shaft. The curved handle entered the market massively and is gaining more and more popularity. The idea is this: when you put the paddle in the water, you extend the corresponding hand forward, towards the bow of the kayak. Also, if all of your fingers are tightly gripping the shaft at this point, you should curl your wrist toward your torso. This leads to wrist injuries. The curved handle allows you to keep all fingers on the paddle without bending the wrist. Therefore, it is suitable for both advanced and absolute beginners who have nowhere and from whom to learn the correct technique of paddling with a straight paddle.
The paddle can be one piece or split into 2 or more pcs. The second is preferable if you take the paddle as a spare on the deck of the kayak or if you change the angle of the blades, depending on the wind. Also if one paddle is used by different people or if you have a foldable / inflatable kayak and transport the paddles in the trunk.
| Paddle with a straight shaft | Paddle with a bent shaft |
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In conclusion:
The paddle is more important than the kayak! It propels and controls your kayak. An improperly selected paddle and wrong paddling technique can cause wrist or shoulder injuries. In other words, I don’t believe anyone would feel comfortable in even the most luxurious car if it’s steering wheel was square, would they?
by Peter Doychinov
