Saturday, April 19, 2008

Kayak Paddles


Kayak paddles have a blade on each end, and are handled from the middle of the shaft. Choosing your paddle is as important as choosing your kayak.
Kayak paddles having blades in the same plane (when viewed down the shaft) are called "un-feathered." Paddles with blades in different planes are called "feathered". Feathered paddles are measured by the degree of feather, such as 30, 45, or even 90 degrees. Many modern paddles can be adjusted by the user for feathered or unfeathered settings. The shaft is normally straight but in some cases a 'crank' is added with the aim of making the paddle more comfortable and reduce the strain on the wrist. Because the kayak paddle is not supported by the boat, paddles made of lighter materials are desired, it is not uncommon for a kayak paddle to be two pounds (32 ounces) or less in weight. Some examples of kayak paddles are: Bending Branches, AT, Swift, and Harmony.

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