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Wing Paddles
Modern sprint kayakers and surfskiers all use the more efficient “wing” style kayak paddle that is characterized by distinct concave scoops in the power sides of the blades and a non-symmetric oval in the blade shape where the “top” (outside edge in the water, inside edge during recovery) edges of the blades are longer and more curved than the bottom (inside edge in the water, outside edge during recovery) edges. 
This shape lends itself to greater efficiency and speed - IF you use decent paddling technique.
Wesley Echols' discussion and review of wing paddles covers most of the important features that you should be considering in your choice of a wing paddle. As with most aspects of surfski paddling, there is nothing more valuable than experience to guide your ability to make good purchase choices.
- General
- Long Video from Epic Paddles maintenance, types, choosing a paddle, etc.
- Discussion & Reviews
- Wing paddle brand review 2015 surfskiracing.org - “Middle of the Pack Paddler” Mark McKenzie
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The Paddle Channel - using the wing paddle - this represents their opinions which may continue to evolve. (they are probably still not expert paddlers yet) But good fodder for thought.
Buying Your First Paddle
- Some economic advice to keep in mind from Greg Barton “…you get more bang for your buck with a good paddle. You can get the best paddle on the market for around $450, while the best boat will cost you thousands. If I was on a budget, I’d opt for a mid priced efficient boat with a top end paddle.”
- Choosing a Paddle for Young Sprint Kayakers (this is oriented to short distance sprinting but it contains good paddle information and history)
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Setup - Feather, Length, Grip
- See Paddle Setup
Blade Size
Smaller or less powerful paddlers usually prefer smaller blade sizes. Stronger paddlers may also go with relatively smaller blades if their paddle sessions and races tend toward longer distances and/or as they get older. Paddle2Fitness Podcast on Blade Size
Shaft Stiffness
Celliers Kruger:
“If you’re a beginner or have problems with tendinitis, get a shaft made out of fibreglass. They are more flexible than the other options, which is what you want. The flex will protect your joints and tendons from injuries.
A seasoned paddler can consider a shaft made of glass/carbon. Different ratios are being used. The higher the carbon vs glass ratio, the lighter the shaft tends to be, but it also becomes stiffer. Stiffness allows you to transfer power more directly to your blades through the shaft, but it puts a lot of strain on your muscles and tendons too. Personally I prefer a 30% carbon, 70% glass mix. I suffer from tendinitis and I don’t compete in sprint races, so no point in going for a stiffer paddle.
If you’re serious about sprinting and your body is up for some punishment, go for a full carbon shaft. But I would suggest that you get another paddle too with a more flexible shaft for long distance training sessions.”
Surfski.info Good discussion of brand stiffness 2020
Most Flexible All-Carbon Shafts Currently (2022) Available:
(Stress can be also be increased or mitigated by how the blade catches (hard, aggressive, or softer?), so consider not only the shaft flex but also the shape and size of the blade)
- Orange sticker Super Flexi Jantex shaft
- Braca 19K shaft or 21K shaft (probably most flex available as of 2022) (some of the Braca paddles are known for fairly aggressive catches, so they may not be as much of a body stress/wear reducer as you are looking for)
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Manufacturers
- Braca-Sport [Brača-Sport]
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- Epic Paddle Wizard (recommendations for style and length)
- 2023 New Mid-Twist
- Greg Barton
- Longer Back Story Video (Bellingham Demo Session including stroke technical advice)
- Joe Crnkovich Review (facebook)
- Inexpensive knock-off copies - you're on your own
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Dealers
USA
- FastPaddler Brača-Sport
- Ocean Paddle Sports Jantex, Gara, Orka, Fenn.
Worldwide
- Surfski dealers typically either sell paddles or can tell you where to look for them. Some of the paddle manufacturer's websites will also include links to local distributors and/or outlets for their paddles.
- ….
Travel with Paddles
- Paddle Bags
- Kailoa Paddle Bags & Covers mostly for OCs, SUP
- Vaikobi upper end in terms of capacity, has wheels on one end.
- Ultra Compact Options?
- 4 Piece if you need an ultra compact paddle for traveling or for a spare to carry neatly in your boat or in a back pack…
- Carbonology Sport (this is an Aussie outlet - CS doesn't have a paddle page on their website as of early 2022)
- Mark Porter - long time Washington state, USA maker and repairer of paddles for Epic Kayaks makes a 4 piece Epic paddle
- thepaddledoctor@gmail.com
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Logo on Bennett Paddle Bag
