If you’re new to kayaking, you might not realise that selecting the appropriate paddle can have a significant impact on how you function on the water. The most important things to consider are kayak apparel and numerous kayak accessories, but choosing the appropriate paddle is critical.
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Aside from the kayaks themselves, making sure you’re utilising a paddle that you’re comfortable with and that can handle the duties you’ll be doing is critical. Almost every time you’re floating, you’ll be propelling yourself with a paddle, and even the shortest journeys are likely to need hundreds, if not thousands, of strokes.
When selecting a paddle, there are four major factors to consider, which we will go over in detail below. Continue reading to be in the best possible position to select a paddle that works for you.
The duration
This is something you should be able to figure out very easily. Simply put, the wider your kayak, the longer the paddle you’ll need. This makes reasonable; after all, you need to ensure that your paddle reaches the water! Whether you’re using sit-on-top kayaks or inflatable kayaks, getting the paddle length just right is critical.
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Your height is also important, especially if the vessel you’re sailing in is relatively narrow. If you are tall, a long paddle will be required; if you are short, a smaller paddle will suffice. If you fall somewhere in the middle, we recommend choosing for shorter kayak paddles rather than longer ones, since this will provide you more movement.
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The Blades’ Materials
If you want to travel quickly and efficiently while not wasting too much energy, you should pick the lightest paddle you can find. Another factor to consider is how frequently you will be at the helm of a kayak; if you will be going frequently, you may want to spend a little more money than someone who will only kayak once or twice in their life.
Plastic is generally best for individuals who don’t want to spend a lot of money and only go out on the water occasionally; these blades are cheap and quite strong, but they can crack and decay if not properly cared for. If you’re serious about kayaking, carbon-fibre blades should be your go-to; they’re exceedingly light, strong, and will last for years.
The blade’s construction
Most blades have an asymmetrical appearance, which means one side is somewhat shorter than the other. If you kayak correctly, you will glide across the water with relative ease.
If you’re all about speed, choose blades that are quite wide; these help with swift acceleration because they let you to produce forceful strokes. Narrow blades, on the other hand, are probably preferable for long-distance travel because they are built for folks who need to conserve energy and don’t care about breaking any speed records.
The stub
There are two options here: straight or curved shaft. Straight shafts are the classic form and are significantly more popular in stores and kayak rental stores, but they might be difficult to hold for an extended amount of time due to the little bend in the wrists. However, bent shafts are specifically engineered to assist your hands rest at comfortable angles while moving through the water with ease.