Before you hit the lake, make sure you got your paddle right. A canoe paddle is one of the essential pieces when you go out for canoeing. It consists of a shaft, grip, and a blade, which extends into the water.
Picking the right canoe paddle is very important as it determines the amount of fan you’ll have canoeing.
Settling for the right canoe paddle starts with how it feels in your hands. After that, you may consider other essential basics like materials, shape, grip, and size. Below are tips that will guide you in getting the right canoe paddle.
1. Length
Most paddles fall between 52” and 60” ranges with the sizes offered in 2” increments. On the other hand, the bent-shaft paddles are short due to their short and wide blades. They commonly fall in the 48” to 54” range. If you are new in canoeing, then the best way to choose the paddle length is as follows:
- In store, trying out the paddle – Kneel about 6″ off the floor with your bottom as if sitting in a canoe. Hold the paddle with the grip on the floor (upside down). If the throat of the paddle is between your nose and chin, then that is the perfect length for you.
- On the water – Sit inside the canoe and measure the distance from the waterline to your nose vertically. The measurement you get should match the distance from the throat of the paddle grip.
2. Weight
If you are purchasing paddles for a canoe for family camping, then the weight is a key element to consider. It’s because a lighter paddle means your kids won’t get tired quickly during a long day of canoeing. However, there should be a balance between strength, flexibility, and weight for you to enjoy the experience. For instance, for flatwater canoeing, a flexible paddle will be perfect as it will absorb shock with every made stroke.
3. Blade materials
Here, personal preference wins the day. There are three types of materials used in making the blade; they include fiberglass, wood, and aluminum.
- Fiberglass – It is a rare blade material except for whitewater canoeing. Paddles made from this material are durable, lightweight, and more expensive than other paddles.
- Wood – It is responsive and beautiful and the most popular blade material.
- Aluminum – Blades made from aluminum are affordable, durable, and a good choice for beginners.
4. Blade shape
The shape of the blade is a bit arduous to decide the perfect one; however, you can simplify that by knowing where you are canoeing. If you are canoeing on lakes, go for the thin and long blades, and if you are canoeing on rivers and shallow waters, the short and wide blades are the best choice.
5. Grip
When it comes to grip, there are two shapes. The shapes are a palm grip and a T-grip. The palm grip is an excellent choice for flatwater paddlers as the shape fits into the palm easily. On the other hand, the T-grip is ideal for whitewater paddlers because it allows one to wrap their fingers around the handle; therefore, offering a sure grip and precise control.
6. Shaft
Here also we have two shapes – bent and straight. The bent shape is best for flatwater paddling while the straight shape is ideal for whitewater canoeists.
When it comes to canoeing, comfort is the key to you enjoying your canoeing experience. Having the right gear and right canoe is essential; however, that will not be complete without the right canoe paddle. Use these tips and be sure to land on the perfect paddle for you and your family.