|
How important is choosing the right Canoe or Kayak Paddle? Well consider the obvious aside from "You" your paddle is the engine that actually makes the boat go. Need we say more! Purchasing the best paddle(s) you can afford is a wise investment for both your on water efficiency and your health. Confused by the sizes, shapes, materials and jargon. "Don't be", remember Frontenac Outfitters makes choosing paddle(s) easy we invite you to have fun and test paddle and compare heck we'll even supply the boats! Until then we hope this article helps. Canoe Paddles
Basic Types:
There are four basic types of canoe paddles, choose the one which best fits your needs. Recreational Paddles
For casual day tripping, a good all around paddle is one made of laminated softwood. These paddles are light, reasonably strong and reasonably priced. Some blades shapes shape will be rounded and look like a beaver tail, while others will have squared off edges and look more like a shovel. Tripping or Cruising Paddles
Flatwater paddlers tend to use aesthetically pleasing paddles made of solid hardwoods like white ash and black cherry. These paddles are used for cruising efficiently for hours so durability and weight are important. Blade shapes are generally longer and narrower then other types and are commonly referred to as otter tail designs. This type of paddle is lighter and enters and exits the water more efficiently then other blades. Marathon or Racing Paddles
Bent shaft paddles look like a shovel with a bent blade. They are often the choice of Marathon racers. The idea of a bent-shaft paddle is it positions the paddle blade more vertical to the water. In theory this shape provides the paddler a shorter, more efficient paddling power zone. These hardwood laminate paddles are shorter and wider than most other types. What the paddler gains in power can be lost in lack of finesse and versatility. Whitewater Paddles
White water paddles have big wide blades with squared off edges to pull lots of water. Materials used to make them can change radically from hardwood laminates with epoxy tips, to plastic or Kevlar blades with aluminum shafts, to a combination of any or all these durable products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Size a Canoe Paddle?
Canoe paddles usually size in 3" increments (common sizes are: 54", 57", 60" and 63"). A quick way to roughly measure is to hold the paddle above your head with each hand in the appropriate place. If the shaft is the correct length for you, your forearms should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the floor. At Frontenac Outfitters we suggest you select a few different models "Then Paddle with them!" But how important is My Canoe Paddle?
Let's do some basic math. At a comfortable 30 strokes a minute, paddling for four hours, the average paddler will take about 7,200 strokes. At 20 strokes per minute, a subtle weight savings of two ounces would save you 600 lbs of lifting over a four-hour paddle! What About Price?
Prices can vary dramatically anywhere from $20.00 to well over $100.00 each. We invite you to paddle and make educated decisions on the water not in a showroom! After paddling and seeing the differences quality paddles make, you won't want to cut corners here.
Kayak Paddles
Basic types
There are four basic types of kayak paddles, choose the basic type which best fits your needs; General Recreation Paddles
Quality recreational paddles will generally have a metal shaft and some type of plastic blade. Price point will determine if the paddle is one or two piece, if drip rings are included and if the blades are cupped. Recreational kayak paddles are shorter, heavier and of course less expensive than other flatwater paddles. Sea / Touring Paddles
Are longer than other kayak paddles and are designed for steady, rhythmic strokes over longer periods of time. Quality sea / touring paddles can be made from a variety of materials, anything from laminated hardwoods with epoxy tips to a combination of fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon. Basically the stronger and lighter the paddle, the more expensive. Considering you will swing the paddle thousands of times during a paddling day, weight is extremely important. Quality blades have a cupped power face and asymmetrical leading edge for greater efficiency. Racing Paddles
These paddles look like Sea / Touring paddles except for dramatically cupped blades, ultra lightweights and ultra high prices. Whitewater Paddles
Whitewater kayak paddles have big wide blades to pull lots of water. Blade tips are reinforced to withstand bashing on rocks. Single shafts and shorter lengths are more common with whitewater paddles. Materials vary radically from hardwood laminates with epoxy tips, to plastic, aluminum, Kevlar, carbon or a combination of the above. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Size a Kayak Paddle?
Kayak paddles size in centimeters (common sizes are: 220, 230 and 240-cm) Paddle length varies with the beam of your kayak, your height, your arm length, the depth of your kayak and the type of paddling you chose to do. At Frontenac Outfitters we suggest you select a few different models "Then Paddle with them What's the Collar around the Paddle Shaft?
It's called a drip ring. They're designed to stop most of the water from running down the shaft and onto your hands and down your sleeve. One Piece or two?
Two piece paddles enable the paddler to set the paddle blades at different angles - Called "feathering the blades". Off setting or feathering the blades when paddling up wind enables the top blade to carve through the wind more efficiently. When paddling down wind the paddle blades can be set parallel to take advantage of the wind … like a sail. One piece paddles although less versatile have a more solid feel, as they have fewer moving parts. What About Price?
Prices vary drastically from less than $100 to over $600.00 each. Which paddle is best for you? It depends on your skills and the type of paddling you want to do. We invite you to paddle and make your decisions on the water! IS THERE A PERFECT CANOE OR KAYAK PADDLE?
Of course not, every paddle purchase is a compromise of three factors: Weight, durability, and price! At Frontenac Outfitters we can promise you one thing "YOU" will have fun trying. "We offer one of the best selections of flat- water paddles anywhere!"
|
