What kind of kayak paddle should I buy?

Question

I bought a basic, recreational kayak. I am 5'3'' . What length/weight and adjustability do I need to look for? What is something inexpensive but easy to use that I can buy?

Answer 1

As above. Werners are great, but expensive. I'd recommend the Harmony River Passage, as it is only $90 brand new, and is popular so you may be able to find a used one for cheaper. If you can afford it, buy a Werner! Look for paddles with egg shaped grip areas, as these are much more comfortable. Try to stay away from breakdown paddles, as they are often aluminum, and heavy.

Answer 2

first of all  whats a  kayak paddle  ?

Answer 3

It depends on the width of your boat, your height to determine the length of your paddle.

Low Angle:

Height:5-6'2''  Boat width:21"-24"    Length: 220cm    

Height:5-6'2''  Boat width:24"-28"    Length: 230cm

Height:5-6'2''  Boat width:Over 28"  Length: 240cm    

Most Carbon or Fiberglass paddles are a little bit pricy. You can buy those paddles for entry level paddlers made by polypropylene.  It ranges from $40-$150, I guess.

Answer 4

in general you should be able to stand the paddle up straight and just reach over the top of it. sttand straight with one arm in the air... get a friend to messure from the ground to your finger tips and take off about four centimeters... that'll be a good length.

the material: you'll probably be looking at plastic or fiberglass. fiberglass is lighter but more rigid. you might like that, you might not. pplus fiberglass will get damaged pretty easily.

the feather: this is the angle of your blades to each other. a 0 degree feather means you don't have to twist the paddle when switching between right and left strokes. but it will offer wind resistance which can be significant. 90 degree paddles offer the least resistance as they slice the air. between 30 and 60 is the most common amount of feather.

the size of the blade. big blades offer more power require more strength to paddle with. if your paddling distance then they are the ones to go for. smaller blades will mean more stokes but are easier to pass through the water.

so as a recommendation i'd advise you to go with a werner rio

http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/rio...

our club just got about eight or so of these and me and a lot of others already prefer them to the fiberglass ones. they have a great feel, a good sized shaft, strong and flexible and have that great werner shape.

hope i helped you :)

Answer 5

The boat width and your height will determine your paddle length, and the type of paddling you plan to do most often should be taken into consideration too.  

There are reasons for this:  for long distance touring, many prefer a longer blade - this allows you to paddle with more relaxed arm positions.  With a longer paddle shaft, the blade enters the water further away from the sides of the boat.  (With a really wide boat, this may be necessary just to reach the water.)

The further away from the boat that your blade enters the water, the greater effect it will have in altering the direction you're travelling.   So, each forward stroke will also push you slightly off center on your destination.  Each opposite stroke will correct that.  The upshot is, you have a lower blade angle, so your shoulders are more relaxed, your attack on the water tends to be more relaxed, which is good for days when you're pulling water for a long time, and not in too big of a hurry.  However, their is a greater need to use a rudder or skeg to help with directional control, or you may need to throw in more correctional strokes to counter the weaving back and forth with each stroke.  

The most efficient forward stroke is one in which the blade of your paddle enters the water right next to the sides of your boat, and is vertical throughout the stroke.   It will have the greatest forward thrust with the least amount of turning force (it won't push you off center of your destination).

In order to achieve this high of a blade angle without injuring yourself, a shorter paddle length is the way to go.  The shorter paddle will allow you to bury the whole blade just below the surface of the water, and allow it to pop up on your recovery, rotate up for your next stroke on the other side, etc.  To get the longer blade straight up and down next to the boat will put your arms / shoulders in an uncomfortable position.  

I'm 5'8" and paddle with a 220 on both my old recreational kayak (13 1/2' long x 27.5" wide) and my sea kayak(16'10" long x 22" wide).   I vary my stroke between a high blade angle / forward stroke to a moderately high touring stroke.  

My husband, and 6'2" uses an Epic paddle that adjusts from 215 to 225cm for his sea kayak.  

Your best bet is to try out a few different paddle lengths with your kayak to see what is most comfortable for you.    Buy the lightest paddle you can afford... believe me, after a day of paddling, every ounce you lift will count!