#KAYAK PADDLE HOW TO#
#KAYAK PADDLE PRO#

Materials and featuresВ will depend on budget and use - lighter materials like carbon can provide efficiency and be worth their high cost, but other heavier and more affordable materials like fiberglass might be a better option when durability is needed. Smaller blades can be a good option for long distances or long days on the water. Bigger blades will provide more power but require more energy from the paddler.

Blade shapes and sizesВ will depend on the style of paddling. The lengthВ of the shaft will be determined by the type of kayak used, as well as the paddlerвЂ™s height. But how can we choose the right one? While finding the right paddle will eventually come down to personal preference, these general tips should help you narrow the search if youвЂ™re new to kayaking. Some are made for speed, some for comfort, some for durability. Paddles are available in countless styles, materials, and sizes. If you have any questions about selecting the right paddle for you, email me at and IвЂ™d be happy to assist.Choosing a kayak paddle can seem daunting. Ideally, the staff at your local outfitter should also be a great resource.ДЄgain, you should put the same research and effort into buying the right paddle as you do select the right kayak for your type of paddling. Generally, most touring kayaks are narrower and require a shorter paddle, with recreational and fishing kayaks wider and requiring longer paddles. You can find sizing charts on most paddle company websites. However, that same paddler in a wider sit-on-top fishing kayak, depending on width, might be best with a 250 cm paddle. For example, if you are 5вЂ™7вЂќ tall and your kayak is 24вЂќ to 28вЂќ wide, then a paddle 230 cm would be best. Picking a paddle is also dependent on your height and the width of your kayak. At only 26 ounces and less expensive, the Tango and Whisky Fibreglass versions. For you touring kayakers who donвЂ™t want the over-sized blades but want a light 23-ounce high-end paddle look at the Aqua-Bound Tango and Whisky Carbon. This allows the paddler to easily expand the paddle up to 15 cm longer depending on wind and water conditions. Both come with over-sized blades for my sit-on-top fishing kayaks and have the option of a telescoping ferrule, which I love.

#KAYAK PADDLE PRO#

If you want to go even lighter, which I personally prefer, you can look at the Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon at 26 ounces or the Angler Pro at 29 ounces. A few to look at are the Manta Ray and String Ray Carbon at $199 and the Hybrid versions at $149 and just slightly heavier. Aqua-Bound makes several quality paddles from 29 ounces to just over 31 ounces that will be great for whatever type of kayak you paddle. Oversized blades have a bigger bite, more control and high-angle paddling where the shaft is more vertical during your stroke. For those wider, heavier sit-on-top fishing kayaks an oversized blade is the best choice. Standard sized blades are perfect for most recreational kayakers and designed for a low-angle stroke with the paddle relatively horizontal while paddling. I would suggest a paddle no heavier than 31 or 32 ounces. So, a 3-ounces lighter saves you 300 pounds extra per hour. The formula is that each ounce lighter paddle equates to 100 pounds per hour you donвЂ™t have to pull around.

Also, more expensive paddles use better components and last longer. Lighter paddles are less fatiguing, meaning you can enjoy your time on the water longer and feel less sore at the end of the day. But, your paddle is the way you move your kayak, so, you should try to buy the most expensive, lightest paddle you can afford.

#KAYAK PADDLE HOW TO#

Most people spend more time picking their kayak than how to pick the right kayak paddle. When IвЂ™m giving kayaking and kayak fishing talks at sports shows and expos, I like to spend some time talking paddles.

Kayak paddle