With summer already here, now’s the time for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders to start reviewing their equipment checklists. Critically, that includes paddles and other rowing devices, as they’re no less important when it comes to staying safe on the water as personal flotation devices, or keeping sunscreen and a GPS in a dry bag.
The fact is, the same level diligence that goes into selecting a properly rated PFD also needs to go into choosing the ideal length and blade design of oar or paddle. Not all rowing devices are the same though, which is why the selection process is especially crucial for paddlesport enthusiasts who are considering changing the type of watercraft or rowing style they use, or expect to be covering increasingly longer distances.
Premium Paddle Design is The Key To Safe Paddlesport Activity
Whether it’s a leisurely tour around the crystal clear waters of the Whitsundays, or a true whitewater challenge down the unspoiled Franklin River, Aussie paddlesports has something for every level of enthusiast. Safety is the most crucial factor though, and it underlines the seriousness of selecting the highest quality boat paddles and rowing accessories before taking to the water.
A paddle that’s too long or short, or whose blades are feathered too high or too low for the type of activity that’s being performed can be as tiring as they are dangerous. Staying safe on the water isn’t something that should be taken for granted, which is why enthusiasts have to be perfectly honest with themselves about the reasons that would make purchasing a new paddle a smart investment, such as:
- After upgrading to a larger kayak or SUP, necessitating a paddle whose extra length would make controlling the craft easier.
- When navigating waterways and paddlespots with stronger currents or more obstacles, where a paddle with a more appropriate blade angle would allow for a more affective stroke.
- When the level of experience or confidence has risen to the point where switching to a lighter, more ergonomic paddle would be beneficial for going on longer and more difficult trips.
These are only a few of the reasons, however, why paddlesport enthusiasts should periodically evaluate how their paddle is affecting their rowing efficiency, as well as their overall health. Fortunately, the Aussie paddlecraft market understands the nuances of paddle and oar design. No two kayakers or paddleboarders can achieve the same results with the same paddle, which is why premium marine retailers go out of their way to stock some of the best built oars and paddles in watersports.
Recognising the Principle Factors of Successful Paddle Design
From the custom-weighted, bent-shaft paddles used in professional whitewater kayaking, to the long-shaft, scoop-shaped paddles used in SUP yoga and fitness classes, there are literally hundreds of different oar and paddle styles available to choose from. And while attributes like a paddle’s grip, and the ability to feather the blades for comfort are important, there are only three principle factors that go into paddle design and construction. These are:
- Paddle length. Even though there’s always a risk of a long paddle proving harder to handle, the general rule is that the taller an enthusiast is, or the wider a kayak or SUP is, the leverage created by a longer paddle allows for a faster, more powerful stroke with less chance of repetitive motion injuries to wrists and shoulders.
- Paddle blade design. Successful paddle blade design is all about angles. That makes low-angled, dihedral-faced blades the best choice for steady, long distance rowing adventures, and asymmetrically-faced blades with large, high-angled surfaces the preference for shorter trips that require more powerful rowing strokes.
- Paddle materials. As a paddle is almost always in motion, its weight, and ultimately the material it’s manufactured from matters. The heavier a paddle is, the more exhausting it becomes to work with, which is why variable grades of lightweight aluminium alloy and carbon fibre are the preferred materials of choice.
Ideally, before heading out on holiday – or even before the paddlecraft hits the water – enthusiasts should be thoroughly briefed on the type of conditions they can expect to encounter. That’s because only with a proper understanding of the water course, and subsequently the right choice of paddle and paddle boat, can they confidently and safely take on the multitude of challenges that Australia’s inland and offshore waters have to offer.
Understanding the Relationship Between Paddle Price, Weight and Performance
Let’s be honest: when it comes to staying safe on the water, cost should never be a factor. Not surprisingly though, it’s not a topic that paddlecraft owners can simply ignore. Even before purchasing boat paddles, the price of a top-of-the-line kayak or SUP, together with racks, tracks and other gear can be a sizeable commitment. And make no mistake: the difference between what an enthusiast might expect to pay for a mediocre paddle and a high performance model can potentially exceed the cost of the watercraft itself.
Weight is the chief component of paddle cost, and the lightest, highest performing paddles invariably cost more. That’s why when looking at paddles for sale, enthusiasts need to be aware of how much even modest paddle weight differences can affect their ability to relax, and ultimately to stay safe when they’re on the water.
- Less weight reduces fatigue. A mere 5oz./140gr. difference in paddle weight may not seem like much, but is more than enough over a two or three hour adventure to allow an enthusiast to comfortably paddle further than they’ve ever gone, without the risk of dangerous fatigue.
- Less weight increases performance. Over the course of a journey that could involve several thousand strokes, the cumulative advantage of a lighter paddle makes for incremental, per-stroke energy savings that converts easily to an increase in rowing performance.
- Less weight is easier to control. A lighter paddle allows enthusiasts to make the subtle, per-stroke changes that are the key to perfecting their rowing technique, or to mastering new ones.
Ideally, anyone who regularly rows longer distances or prefers waters that are more challenging can benefit from a lighter paddle. There’s less strength required to perform the same amount of work, which is immeasurably helpful for anyone who’s already working through upper torso, or arm and shoulder injuries.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, regardless of the type of activity a paddlesport enthusiast prefers, the ability to safely enjoy their time on the water is linked to how comfortable they are with their oars or paddle. And the quality and condition of their rowing equipment is so important that, depending on the distance they’re traveling, adding a second paddle to their list of provisions makes perfect safety sense.
Investing in the highest quality paddles and rowing accessories before going on holiday is the smart way to stay safe on the water. They give paddlecrafters the performance and safety they need on every paddling adventure.
