The Importance Of Picking The Correct Kayak Paddle
Posted by Boating Laws - 15/02/12 at 10:02 amOne of the errors that lots of kayaking beginners make is to underestimate the significance of their selection of paddle. Too many people spend many hours looking at kayaks such as the Jackson Coosa and sitting in them and then acquire the paddle suggested by a salesperson as an afterthought or the least expensive one readily available. Selecting the right paddle should be given as much significance as selecting the appropriate kayak!
If you choose longer blades and they are not suited to your build, then you will get more water against the paddle than you can manage and smaller blades can get too little water with each and every stroke. You will be less weary and will increase your enjoyment of kayaking if you select the ideal sized paddle to boost your stroke performance.
You will need to examine certain items such as the correct paddle length, although a novice won’t need to think about items such as the paddle weight, size, construction, materials and blade symmetry too seriously. Here are some hints to assist with your paddle choice.
When looking at the necessary paddle length, you need to look at your height, the kind of kayak you will be employing and the kind of kayaking you will be doing. The paddle lengths for the different kinds of kayaking are primarily based on height and differ as follows:-
- Whitewater Paddles: 188-203 cm long
- Inflatable Kayak Paddles - 220-240 cm long
- Recreational and Touring Paddles - 210 - 240 cm long
You place your hands on the paddle shaft area of the paddle and they come in two different types, bent or straight. The straight versions are lighter, less expensive and more common whilst the bent versions are more comfortable and put less tension on your joints. There are differing shaft diameters based on the kayaker’s hand size and there are hand sizing charts out there to assist you in your selection.
The paddle blade is the region of the paddle that makes contact with the water and propels the Prowler 13 kayak. Blades either have a symmetrical or assymetrical shape and an assymetrical shape delivers a smooth entry into the water. A symmetrically shaped blade is the same on both sides, enabling it to be paddled with either hand. The angle that each blade is offset from the others is the feather of a paddle. This feather measurement is typically measured in 15 degree increments with a 45 degree feather being the most preferred.
Paddles are made from many different materials which determine the paddle’s durability, weight, performance and price and wood is still the most prevalent. These materials include wood, plastic, carbon, aluminium, fiberglass and reinforced nylon.
