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Up The Creek With The Right Kayak Paddles

The right tools for the job

Basically, kayak paddles are the tools used to propel the boat through the water and also to steer it in a particular direction. They consist of a wood, metal or fiberglass rod, a handle on one end and a rigid blade on the other. Unlike rowboat oars, kayak paddles are not used in pairs but instead are held with both hands spaced some length apart from one another. Also unlike oars, paddles for kayaks are lighter in weight than their rowboat counterparts because the boat supports the latter while the person carries the weight of the former to control a kayak.

Styles
You wouldn't wear a stiletto heel to play tennis any more than you would wear gumboots at the office. Similarly, the design, shape, length and weight of kayak paddles depends upon their intended use. If you are going white water rafting, you'll need a paddle that can handle multiple maneuvers and the awesome strength of the water itself as the vessel rushes through it. White water kayak paddles are generally shorter than those used in flat water, mostly due to the style of the stroke used, though the exception is for inflatable and sit-on-top boats. A larger blade diameter and symmetrical shape is also important for white water rafting. Flat water touring requires less strength on the part of the kayaker so a paddle with a more lightweight construction will be sufficient and will also result in less fatigue over the course. Freestyle kayakers will use different paddles again.

Even canoe paddles vary in style and shape from kayak paddles and this comes from the fact that the two vessels are essentially different. A canoe paddle has a blade on one end only whereas those for kayaks are double-bladed.

Use
Kayak paddles are used variously, again according to the kind of activity. It's a popular view of amateurs that the arms are the power source behind the movement of the paddles through the water whereas in fact, the torso is where the power should originate. Using the arms without engaging the torso leads quickly to fatigue. The arms should control the movement of the paddles and by powering from the torso, the balance of the kayak also remains steady. The angle of the paddles in relation to the water should be determined by the sizes of the paddles and the boat. Practising and seeking advice can help to understand the nuances involved. In order to achieve the best system of propelling the kayak through the water, in whatever conditions, it's a good idea to either take lessons or experiment. Finding the best angle at which to hold the paddle is akin to learning which style is most comfortable for a high jumper to launch into a jump.

As accessories go, kayak paddles are probably the most important of all. Without them, you'd be up that proverbial creek without a … well, you know. Take the time to learn what you need for what you want to do. Buying second hand is not necessarily inferior to buying new, as long as the condition of the paddles is good and the only real issues are cosmetic. The two most important factors are safety and appropriateness; once you've satisfied those things, you've got yourself a moving kayak.