| Canoe paddles are devices that you simply can't do | | | | right size of the paddle to achieve the best possible |
| without. You would not be able to boat without a pair | | | | water routine. Paddle size is one more thing that you |
| of good paddles, that's for sure. The thing is, you can't | | | | should mull over. |
| just select any paddle you see at the store, because | | | | But how long should your canoe paddle be? What are |
| each paddle has its own special feature for different | | | | the things you should consider to help you decide how |
| special purposes. | | | | long or short your paddle should be. Read on and |
| For you to know what type of paddle you should use | | | | check the following guidelines. |
| and for what canoeing activity, here are the different | | | | 1. Consider your torso and arm size: The paddle should |
| paddle types and a short overview of each. At the | | | | be just right, meaning not too long or too short for its |
| end of this article, you should be able to know more | | | | user. It is also important that the paddle size be |
| about canoe paddles. | | | | convenient enough for you to maneuver over the |
| 1. The recreational paddles: These paddles are usually | | | | waters. Also, the length could add up to the weight of |
| made of aluminum or plastic. Some rather cheap | | | | the paddle. So you should make sure that you could |
| wood materials are also used to make this paddle | | | | control the paddle accordingly. |
| type. Boaters usually use it for common sailing | | | | 2. Consider the paddle blade size: As stated earlier, the |
| purposes like normal trips around the campsite or | | | | blade of your paddle should be wide enough to serve |
| nearby lakes. This is referred to as the | | | | its purpose. The blade can affect a lot to the |
| general-purpose paddles. | | | | performance of the canoe. It could also affect the |
| 2. The whitewater paddles: These are paddles that | | | | speed of your boat. |
| are typically short and have square-shaped blades. | | | | 3. Consider your canoe type, height, and size: The |
| These are used when quick and powerful strokes are | | | | height and the style of the seat of your canoe should |
| required. It is mostly used in aerated, shallow water. | | | | also be considered to determine the proper the size of |
| They are also designed to endure rocks. The common | | | | your paddle. Compute these variables accordingly. |
| paddles that you see with T-shaped grips are mostly | | | | Your paddle should reach a good depth in the water |
| whitewater paddles. | | | | as you position yourself on the center seat. |
| 3. The lakewater paddles: These paddles are used | | | | 4. Consider your paddling activity type: The way you |
| mostly in traveling on lakes and similar bodies of water. | | | | use the paddles also determines the size of it. If you |
| It is designed for repetitious strokes to up to several | | | | go straight most of the time, a shorter paddle is |
| thousand. These are usually made of wood like walnut, | | | | advisable. If you do a lot of turning, a longer paddle is |
| maple, mahogany, cherry, and ash. And because these | | | | required. |
| are wood paddles, it is more prone to dents and | | | | Canoeing will be more fun and exciting if less stress is |
| scrapes. To maintain a lakewater paddle, it should be | | | | produced as you maneuver the boat. If you do less |
| sanded, varnished, or oiled regularly. | | | | work and more enjoying on the water, you will be |
| 4. The performance paddles: These types of paddle | | | | looking forward to your canoeing weekend more |
| are the ones used when racing. These are the most | | | | often. |
| expensive types as well. Sports enthusiasts also use | | | | These information should be able to guide you |
| these paddles for fitness paddling purposes. The | | | | accordingly as to what type and how long your paddle |
| paddles come in different varieties, blade sizes, and | | | | should be. But at the end of the day, it would all end |
| forms. It gives the user powerful, efficient strokes for | | | | down to the very paddle best works for you. These |
| optimum performance. | | | | are good suggestions right here, but you can freely |
| The type of paddle is not the only thing you should | | | | choose the one that you feel comfortable using the |
| consider when buying one. You should also choose the | | | | most. |