User Tools
paddles
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision | ||
|
paddles [2024/10/10 12:34] preavley |
paddles [2026/03/14 02:35] (current) pstureavley |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/64GLrXCzNB0|Long Video from Epic Paddles]] maintenance, types, choosing a paddle, etc. | * [[https://youtu.be/64GLrXCzNB0|Long Video from Epic Paddles]] maintenance, types, choosing a paddle, etc. | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/pbrw7CRaUF4|Robert Norman on Wing Paddles]] | * [[https://youtu.be/pbrw7CRaUF4|Robert Norman on Wing Paddles]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.meekkayaks.com.au/the-3-paddle-shapes|Meek Paddles' description of 3 primary Wing Paddle Shapes]] (parallel, tear drop, twisted tear drop) | ||
| * [[https://bki.lt/seni/straipsniai/the_barton_mold.pdf#page=29|The Barton Mold: Adopting the Wing Paddle]] Some wing paddle history from Greg Barton's experience. | * [[https://bki.lt/seni/straipsniai/the_barton_mold.pdf#page=29|The Barton Mold: Adopting the Wing Paddle]] Some wing paddle history from Greg Barton's experience. | ||
| * **Discussion & Reviews** | * **Discussion & Reviews** | ||
| Line 38: | Line 39: | ||
| ===== Buying Your First Paddle ===== | ===== 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 (Ed. //Circa 2015?//), 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." | + | * 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 (Ed. //Circa 2015?//), 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." (Ed. //Of course it would be nice if you can get some experience first to help guide you a bit in your choice of paddle, some paddlers have distinctly different results with different paddles//) |
| * [[https://www.thepaddlehut.ca/blogs/technique/picking-the-right-paddle-for-you|Mike Robinson (the Paddle Hut) Picking the Right Paddle for You 2016]] | * [[https://www.thepaddlehut.ca/blogs/technique/picking-the-right-paddle-for-you|Mike Robinson (the Paddle Hut) Picking the Right Paddle for You 2016]] | ||
| * [[https://surfski.info/forum/17-equipment/18794-perfect-paddle-selection.html|Surfski.info Discussion - Choosing a Paddle 2017]] | * [[https://surfski.info/forum/17-equipment/18794-perfect-paddle-selection.html|Surfski.info Discussion - Choosing a Paddle 2017]] | ||
| - | * [[https://nelous.com/choosing-the-right-paddle-for-you/?syclid=cklbsc92c1es73fn4cm0|Michele Eray on Choosing the Right Paddl2 2021 (w/ 2023 update)]] | + | * [[https://nelous.com/choosing-the-right-paddle-for-you/?syclid=cklbsc92c1es73fn4cm0|Michele Eray on Choosing the Right Paddle 2021 (w/ 2023 update)]] |
| * [[https://youtu.be/JU6XaPKj-bY|Choosing a Paddle for Young Sprint Kayakers 2020 video]] (this is oriented to short distance sprinting but it contains good paddle information and history) | * [[https://youtu.be/JU6XaPKj-bY|Choosing a Paddle for Young Sprint Kayakers 2020 video]] (this is oriented to short distance sprinting but it contains good paddle information and history) | ||
| * … | * … | ||
| Line 56: | Line 57: | ||
| ===== Setup - Feather, Length, Grip ===== | ===== Setup - Feather, Length, Grip ===== | ||
| - | * See [[:setup#hand_positionsetup|Paddle Setup]] | + | * See [[:setup#paddle_setup|Paddle Setup]] |
| ---- | ---- | ||
| Line 64: | Line 65: | ||
| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| - | 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 [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/32-what-blade-size-should-i-be-using/|Podcast on Blade Size]]. There has been a bit of evolution toward smaller paddle blades across the range of paddlers, possibly due to a greater awareness of **repetitive stress issues** and the desire to be able to **paddle pain free** (or paddle at all) well into "old age". As mentioned below, shaft stiffness and the abruptness of the paddle catch also play into the overall cumulative stress from a paddle. Jamo Porter on [[https://youtu.be/koKGeUMJbOw|Choosing 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. There has been a bit of evolution toward smaller paddle blades across the range of paddlers, possibly due to a greater awareness of **[[:injury_prevention_recovery|repetitive stress issues]]** and the desire to be able to **paddle pain free** (or paddle at all) well into "old age". As mentioned below, shaft stiffness and the abruptness of the paddle catch also play into the overall cumulative stress from a paddle. |
| + | |||
| + | * **Choosing Blade Size - Opinions/Advice** | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/koKGeUMJbOw|Jamo Porter]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.surfskicenter.com/zen-master-blog/what-paddle-size-is-best-for-you|Boyan's Zlatarev Take on Blade Size]] | ||
| + | * [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/32-what-blade-size-should-i-be-using/|Podcast on Blade Size]] Paddle2Fitness | ||
| + | * … | ||
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| Line 70: | Line 77: | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | ===== Reducing Stress, Tendinitis ===== | + | ===== Reducing Stress, Tendonitis ===== |
| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | See also [[:injury_prevention_recovery|Preventing & Recovering from Injury]] - discussions about joint injury generally focus on attention to technique (relaxed grip, etc.) and/or equipment options that can help. For some wrist/hand problems some paddlers also report being helped by different paddle shaft shapes or sizes - some helped with oval shafts, others helped by using smaller diameter shafts. Or by slightly abrading the shaft with light sanding in the grip area (something that helps one paddler may cause a problem for another - YMMV) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| ==== Shaft Stiffness ==== | ==== Shaft Stiffness ==== | ||
| Line 78: | Line 91: | ||
| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| - | 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. | + | Celliers Kruger: "If you’re a beginner or have problems with tendonitis, 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. | + | 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 tendonitis 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**." | **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**." | ||
| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| ==== Flexible Shafts ==== | ==== Flexible Shafts ==== | ||
| Line 93: | Line 108: | ||
| - **Knysna **Carbon/Fiberglass ratio: 60/40 or 100% Carbon | - **Knysna **Carbon/Fiberglass ratio: 60/40 or 100% Carbon | ||
| - **Mako **has Carbon or Fiberglass option - ask if there are blends or just 100% one or the other | - **Mako **has Carbon or Fiberglass option - ask if there are blends or just 100% one or the other | ||
| - | - As far as Carbon, Carbon/Kevlar Shafts go the following shafts are some of the more flexible ones among Carbon shafts, but our impression is that a significant % of Fiberglass in a shaft probably makes a greater difference (how much? we don't know and haven't seen any estimates attempting to compare or quantify this) than whatever these get you in terms of flex. Brača does have a standard way to measure their shaft flex - see in the following discussion [[https://www.surfski.info/forum/17-equipment/19944-shaft-stiffness-between-paddle-brands.html|Surfski.info 2020 discussion of carbon shaft stiffness in Brača and Jantex more flexible carbon shafts]] | + | - As far as Carbon and Carbon/Kevlar Shafts go, the following shafts are some of the more flexible ones among Carbon shafts, but our impression is that a significant % of Fiberglass in a shaft probably makes a greater difference (how much? we don't know and haven't seen any estimates attempting to compare or quantify this) than whatever these get you in terms of flex. Brača does have a standard way to measure their shaft flex - see in the following discussion [[https://www.surfski.info/forum/17-equipment/19944-shaft-stiffness-between-paddle-brands.html|Surfski.info 2020 discussion of carbon shaft stiffness in Brača and Jantex more flexible carbon shafts]] |
| - Orange sticker Super Flexi **Jantex** shaft | - Orange sticker Super Flexi **Jantex** shaft | ||
| - **Bra****č****a** 19K shaft or 21K shaft (some of the Brača 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) | - **Bra****č****a** 19K shaft or 21K shaft (some of the Brača 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) | ||
| Line 100: | Line 115: | ||
| </WRAP></WRAP> | </WRAP></WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| ==== Other Factors Affecting Stress ==== | ==== Other Factors Affecting Stress ==== | ||
| - | * 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.** | + | * **Blade Shape and Size** 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 [[:paddles#blade_size|Size of the blade]].** |
| * Best if you can directly try out a blade yourself, otherwise you may get some sense of this from reviewers although there can be some variation in different paddlers assessments of how strong/abrupt a blade catch is (due to different reviewer's technique, size, strength?) | * Best if you can directly try out a blade yourself, otherwise you may get some sense of this from reviewers although there can be some variation in different paddlers assessments of how strong/abrupt a blade catch is (due to different reviewer's technique, size, strength?) | ||
| * **Paddle Length **some long distance paddlers going with smaller blades are also adopting higher cadences with remarkably shorter (than we are used to seeing in paddle length recommendations) shaft lengths to what they report is good benefit for their endurance, performance, and paddling health. | * **Paddle Length **some long distance paddlers going with smaller blades are also adopting higher cadences with remarkably shorter (than we are used to seeing in paddle length recommendations) shaft lengths to what they report is good benefit for their endurance, performance, and paddling health. | ||
| + | * **Paddle Shaft Shape and Diameter **some paddlers report reducing or resolving wrist/hand issues by going to either oval or round shafts and/or by going to lower diameter shafts. No one size fits all in this category - one shaft shape and either larger or smaller diameter may work better for you. | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| ==== Torque Reduction ==== | ==== Torque Reduction ==== | ||
| Line 131: | Line 153: | ||
| ===== Manufacturers/Brands ===== | ===== Manufacturers/Brands ===== | ||
| - | * While **Flow** paddles are made specifically to be tougher for river/shallow water paddling, some of these other manufacturers will make custom layups (e.g stronger river layups, etc.) on request. | + | * While **Flow** advertises some of their paddles as made specifically to be tougher for river/shallow water paddling, some of these other manufacturers will make custom layups (e.g stronger river layups, etc.) on request. |
| * [[https://bennettsurfboards.com/product-category/paddles/bennett-paddles/|Bennett Paddles]] | * [[https://bennettsurfboards.com/product-category/paddles/bennett-paddles/|Bennett Paddles]] | ||
| * [[https://paddles.braca-sport.com/paddles/kayak-surf-ski/braca-iv-surf-ski.html|Braca-Sport]] [Brača-Sport] | * [[https://paddles.braca-sport.com/paddles/kayak-surf-ski/braca-iv-surf-ski.html|Braca-Sport]] [Brača-Sport] | ||
| Line 137: | Line 159: | ||
| * [[https://www.k2nonlinepaddleschool.com/post/wing-paddle-gear-review-braca-sports-xi-van-dusen-92|Robert Norman XI review]] | * [[https://www.k2nonlinepaddleschool.com/post/wing-paddle-gear-review-braca-sports-xi-van-dusen-92|Robert Norman XI review]] | ||
| * [[https://www.carbonologysport.com/paddles/|Carbonology Sport]] | * [[https://www.carbonologysport.com/paddles/|Carbonology Sport]] | ||
| + | * [[http://www.eliokayaks.com/?page_id=1641&lang=en|Elio]] | ||
| * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/paddles|Epic]] | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/paddles|Epic]] | ||
| * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/paddle-wizard|Epic Paddle Wizard]] (recommendations for style and length, still has to be fairly general, for example it uses your height and does not take into account differences in torso/height proportion) | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/paddle-wizard|Epic Paddle Wizard]] (recommendations for style and length, still has to be fairly general, for example it uses your height and does not take into account differences in torso/height proportion) | ||
| * **2023 New Mid-Twist** | * **2023 New Mid-Twist** | ||
| + | * Mid Twist - 700 cm², Small Mid Twist 680 cm² | ||
| * **Greg Barton** | * **Greg Barton** | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/Hn3PFfR5yj8|Short Promo Video]] | * [[https://youtu.be/Hn3PFfR5yj8|Short Promo Video]] | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/Vi0KHF_61oo|Longer Back Story Video]] (Bellingham Demo Session including stroke technical advice) | * [[https://youtu.be/Vi0KHF_61oo|Longer Back Story Video]] (Bellingham Demo Session including stroke technical advice) | ||
| * [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/869591910470357/permalink/1520298898732985/|Joe Crnkovich Review]] (facebook) | * [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/869591910470357/permalink/1520298898732985/|Joe Crnkovich Review]] (facebook) | ||
| - | * [[https://flowkayaks.co.nz/paddles|Flow Kayaks]] like their surfskis, made tougher for rivers, etc. with titanium tips | + | * **Fenn **their main website has been "under construction" for years now. You can find their paddles on a number of dealer sites, is the full range Fenn(ix) 1 - 5? Some dealers provide more information about the paddles than others do. |
| + | * [[https://flowkayaks.co.nz/paddles|Flow Kayaks]] like their surfskis, some of their paddles are made tougher for rivers, etc. with titanium tips | ||
| * [[https://gara.co.za/products/paddles|Gara]] | * [[https://gara.co.za/products/paddles|Gara]] | ||
| * [[https://gpower.pl/|G'Power]] | * [[https://gpower.pl/|G'Power]] | ||
| Line 160: | Line 185: | ||
| * [[https://www.stellarkayaksusa.com/kayak-paddles|Stellar]] | * [[https://www.stellarkayaksusa.com/kayak-paddles|Stellar]] | ||
| * **Think **does not seem to show their paddles on their website, but you can find them on dealer websites - example [[https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/think-power-wing.html|Coast Outdoors Think Power Wing]] | * **Think **does not seem to show their paddles on their website, but you can find them on dealer websites - example [[https://www.coastoutdoors.ca/think-power-wing.html|Coast Outdoors Think Power Wing]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.zss.com.au/|ZSS]] some of their paddles are made extra sturdy for surf | ||
| * **Inexpensive knock-off copies** - you're on your own - you may see them from a known brand lending their name (we're not even sure about the originality of all of the ones listed here), with oddball brand names, or as a generic wing paddle on a foreign sales website. | * **Inexpensive knock-off copies** - you're on your own - you may see them from a known brand lending their name (we're not even sure about the originality of all of the ones listed here), with oddball brand names, or as a generic wing paddle on a foreign sales website. | ||
| * … | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{youtube>A6wKKFfFmX8?large}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | **New Zealand Paddler 2024 Comparison of Braca 4, Flow MS3, Jantex Gamma, Braca 11 and Epic Mid Twist**</WRAP> | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| Line 179: | Line 213: | ||
| * 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. | * 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. | ||
| + | * **Dietz** [[https://dietzpaddling.com/collections/equipment/Surfskiprodukter?filter.p.m.custom.sport=Surfski-Paddling|Paddles & Accessories]] | ||
| * …. | * …. | ||
| Line 186: | Line 221: | ||
| ===== Travel with Paddles ===== | ===== Travel with Paddles ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP indent> | ||
| We know of at least one surfski paddler who takes his blades off of his shafts to allow packing in standard luggage, then reglues them at his destination. But most travelers typically use paddle bags and fill any extra space in the bags with soft items like clothing which will also provide additional padding protection for the paddles. | We know of at least one surfski paddler who takes his blades off of his shafts to allow packing in standard luggage, then reglues them at his destination. But most travelers typically use paddle bags and fill any extra space in the bags with soft items like clothing which will also provide additional padding protection for the paddles. | ||
| + | |||
| + | </WRAP> | ||
| * **Paddle Bags** | * **Paddle Bags** | ||
| Line 204: | Line 243: | ||
| * [[https://flowkayaks.co.nz/paddles|Flow Kayaks]] | * [[https://flowkayaks.co.nz/paddles|Flow Kayaks]] | ||
| * <del>**Mark Porter** - long time Washington state, USA maker and repairer of paddles for Epic Kayaks makes a 4 piece Epic paddle</del> | * <del>**Mark Porter** - long time Washington state, USA maker and repairer of paddles for Epic Kayaks makes a 4 piece Epic paddle</del> | ||
| - | * <del>[[https://www.facebook.com/thepaddledoctor/|https://www.facebook.com/thepaddledoctor/]]</del> RETIRED 2022 | + | * <del>[[https://www.facebook.com/thepaddledoctor/|https://www.facebook.com/thepaddledoctor/]]</del>RETIRED 2022 |
| * … | * … | ||
Except where otherwise noted, content on this wiki is licensed under the following license: CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
