Paddles constructed from carbon fiber are something to consider if kayaking is a major part of your life. Carbon fiber is ultra-light and incredibly strong, but often many times more expensive than fiberglass.A popular choice for more experienced kayakers, paddles and blades made from fiberglass provide excellent performance. Fiberglass is strong and light - an ideal combination for a paddle shaft.Common in less expensive paddles, this material is a good choice for beginners and spare paddles. Aluminum is used in shafts as it’s both inexpensive and durable, but comparatively heavy.But as a budget material for blades, especially when reinforced with glass, fiberglass, or carbon, it can be a great option. Plasticis not a great choice for paddle shafts as it’s just too flexible to provide power.The most common materials for kayak paddle shafts are aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. For longer trips, this can reduce fatigue and stress on your wrists and increase paddling efficiency. Bent shaft – These designs feature two bends in the shaft to change your hand position, allowing a more natural grip.This is a good choice if you fight strong currents and need to make a variety of powerful strokes. The shaft runs in a line between the blades, giving you a lot of control and allowing a wide variety of strokes. Straight shaft – Exactly what the name suggests.The choice of shaft style is a question of what you do on the water. You’ll need to experiment to find what works best for you. Most paddles are designed to allow you to alternate between feathered and matched, and to decide which hand rotates during the stroke. Surprisingly, most people find that this is a bit kinder on their wrists than matched blades.īy contrast, matched blades are aligned. You can use a shorter paddle if this is your style.įeathered blades are offset to improve their efficiency, and this placement keeps the higher blade flat, reducing its wind resistance.įor each stroke, feathered blades demand a slight twist of your wrist to turn the blade into the water. In unpredictable water, where control is at a premium, this is a must. This style allows the paddle to enter the water at a steep angle, applying more power to the stroke. High-angle paddling – If your hands rise above your shoulders when you paddle, you’re high-angle paddling.You’ll need a longer paddle if this is your style. This is common for touring and long-distance paddling, where fighting sudden currents isn’t the order of the day. Low-angle paddling – If your hands remain below your shoulders when you paddle, you’re low-angle paddling.That distance is your torso height, and it’s a good place to start to choose the best paddle length for you: Torso height – One simple method to begin the process of selecting the right length for you is to sit in a chair and measure the distance between your crotch to the tip of your nose. Conversely, if you’re an angler in a wide, stable kayak, you’ll need a longer paddle. If you tour in a sea kayak, you’ll need a paddle on the shorter end for your height. That’s because the narrower the ‘yak, the easier it is to reach the water with the blades.
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