| One piece of equipment that every kayaker needs to | | | | rubbery rings that are positioned around the shaft near |
| have is a decent kayaking paddle. There are so many | | | | where the blades are attached. The drip rings prevent |
| types of kayak paddles available on the market that | | | | water on the paddle blades from dripping down the |
| the choices can be overwhelming. However, a few | | | | shaft to the kayaker's hands during paddling. This |
| guiding principles can make finding the best paddle a | | | | keeps the kayaker's hands much drier and more |
| breeze. | | | | comfortable. Even though the paddler's hands will |
| Two of the major types of kayak paddles are the | | | | probably still get wet, at least they are not constantly |
| European style paddle and the Greenland paddle. The | | | | being soaked by cold water. The drip rings should |
| European style paddle is the one most commonly | | | | ideally never enter the water, so that only the part of |
| seen in use today, and has a long cylindrical shaft and | | | | the paddle that is past the drip rings, which includes |
| two roughly oval-shaped flat blades, one at each end | | | | only the blade and a small part of the shaft, gets wet. |
| of the shaft. The blades may be aligned with each | | | | The Greenland paddle looks quite different from a |
| other in the same plane, or they may be tilted with | | | | European style paddle and is less often seen in use |
| respect to each other. For example, one paddle blade | | | | today. They are harder to find in stores as well, and |
| may be tilted 45 degrees relative to the other blade. | | | | are more of a specialty item sought out by kayakers |
| This is called "feathering", and reduces the effect of | | | | who prefer them over the European paddles. A |
| wind blowing on the paddle blade that is in the air while | | | | Greenland paddle has a shaft that is blended into the |
| the other blade is being stroked through the water. | | | | blades. Actually, it can be difficult at first glance to |
| Since the blades are not lined up in the same plane, the | | | | distinguish which part of the Greenland paddle is the |
| paddle blade in the air is not facing into the wind, but | | | | blade and which is the shaft. |
| cuts through it sideways. Many European style paddles | | | | The paddle looks more like a long shaft that has been |
| are adjustable so that the amount of feather can be | | | | flattened at the ends. Many kayakers prefer the |
| changed. Popular paddle manufacturers such as | | | | different paddling style that this design affords, and the |
| Werner, for example, make paddles that can adjust in | | | | paddle is well suited to performing rolls since it can be |
| small degree increments for up to 60 degrees of | | | | grasped anywhere along its length. Even though |
| feathering. | | | | Greenland paddles are harder to find for sale, you can |
| Another feature of the European type kayak paddle is | | | | still find online retailers that carry them. You can also |
| the drip ring. Each kayak paddle has two of these | | | | have the pleasure of trying out this unique paddle. |