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Kayaking Paddles
Finding the right kayak paddle is not that hard...
You simply need to determine the type of paddling you want to do whether it's flatwater kayaking
to explore lakes, bays, slowing moving rivers, and the ocean or whitewater kayaking down fast moving whitewater river rapids. Then once you figured your type of paddling, you simply select a kayak paddle that fits your budget.
Select from one of the following kayak paddle options.
 Flatwater
Kayaking
Kayak Paddles:
Flatwater Kayak Paddles feature advanced blade designs that create a smooth and stable stroke to propel your kayak across the lake, ocean, or river. Many have the new Adjustable Ferrule Systems that allow you to adjust both the length and the feather angle of the blades. This feature makes sizing a piece of cake. These kayak paddles are made of either fiberglass or carbon fiber. We highly recommend carbon fiber paddles. Carbon is lighter weight but still achieves a high level of performance, durability and strength.
Shop Flatwater Kayak Paddles
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Whitewater Kayak Paddles:
Whitewater Kayak paddles are more robust than other paddles. They're stronger, more durable, and made to take a beating. There are two types of whitewater paddles, one for all-around river running, and one for specific play or freestyle kayaking. We highly recommend you buy a bent shaft kayak paddle. Along with making rolling easier for you, a bent shaft allows your fingers to stay in full contact with the shaft while the wrist maintains a natural position. This increases control and reduces fatigue.
Shop Whitewater Kayak Paddles

More Things to Consider When Choosing A Kayak Paddle
Important Buying Advice
Although you can buy a cheap kayak paddle for less than $100, we highly recommend investing in a good quality, lightweight paddle. The kayak paddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment. It is what you'll use to move your boat from point A to point B. Consider buying a kayak paddle made of lightweight carbon fiber material. A kayak trip could require as many as 5,000 paddle strokes. Just a few ounces could save you a lot of energy when you factor in swing weight. We also recommend that you invest in a bent shaft. A bent shaft allows all four fingers to stay in full contact with the shaft while the wrist maintains a natural position. This increases your control while allowing you to reduce fatigue. After you choose a category (flatwater or whitewater), you will need to consider a couple things when selecting a specific kayak paddle.
Sizing:
Once you narrow down your selection to a specific kayak paddle, simply click on the sizing chart on the product page to determine the correct length. In general, if you paddle a flatwater kayak you will need a longer paddle, usually between 220cm-230cm long. A longer kayak paddle gives more leverage in flatwater and allows the paddle to effectively reach the water, but it is usually unwieldy when trying to maneuver technical whitewater. Therefore whitewater kayak paddles are generally shorter than flatwater paddles and are sized by the person's height. They are usually between 191cm-197cm.
Blade shape: Kayak paddle blades can be long, short, narrow, wide, as well as symmetrical or asymmetrical . Each shape has its benefits. A wide blade with a larger blade surface can provide greater acceleration, but will also create more resistance in the water. It takes more effort to use a large-bladed paddle than a smaller one. This can be an important factor as flatwater kayaking is more about endurance than it is about speed. A long, narrow kayak blade will take more strokes to move through the same amount of water, but the paddler will be less tired while doing it.
Kayak Paddle Accessories
· Kayak Paddle Racks
· Kayak Paddle Bags
· Kayak Paddle Leashes
· Kayak Paddle Floats
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kayak paddle adjustable ferrule
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ADJUSTABLE FERRULE SYSTEM
With a fully Adjustable Ferrule System you are able to modify your paddle
for any situation. You can adjust the shaft length to accommodate different
paddlers' heights or paddle styles. You are also able to adjust the blade's offset to address different weather conditions. This allows for the ultimate control in custom paddle performance.

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FEATHER ANGLE
Paddle blades that are not feathered have the blades parallel to one another. Feathered paddles have the blades turned at an angle to one another. This feathering allows for a more efficient stroke as the blade that is not in the water is leading into the wind with its narrow edge instead of the flat side, making for much less wind resistance (physics is cool). Some paddlers, especially beginners, find that the additional wrist-turning necessary to use a feathered paddle is uncomfortable and unnatural. A possible good compromise for the beginning paddler is a collapsible paddle that can be adjusted for either feathered or non-feathered use. All of our paddles with Adjustable Ferrules do just that!
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symmetrical asymmetrical
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SYMMETRICAL OR ASYMMETRICAL
Paddle blades can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Typically, flatwater paddles are long, narrow and symmetrical. Some paddlers find an asymmetrical paddle reduces the twisting on the paddle shaft while stroking, because it evens the amount of water on each side of the submerged paddle.
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BENT SHAFT PADDLES
Bent shaft or ergonomic kayak paddles have been increasing in popularity in the last few years. There are several good reasons for their success. Their main attribute is the natural alignment of the wrist, especially as the paddle blade is planted in the water and the joint loaded with the pull of the blade through the water. This gives the wrists the freedom to do their job without the debilitating stresses associated with straight shaft paddles. Research has proven that all the tendons, ligaments and muscle tissue of the arm and shoulder benefit from applied ergonomics and are thus protected from the repetitive motion disorders frequently encountered by paddlers.
All ergonomic paddles are not the same. The contour of the AT grip sets our paddles apart from all others. The complex shapes are designed to perfectly fit the closed human hand (US Pat 5820424). The Full Control Grip provides significantly more indexing and control, which allows the paddler to loosen their grip and still achieve the same degree of control experienced with straight shafts. Or, vastly improve control when needed by applying a more typical amount of grip pressure. Paddling with a looser grip protects the muscle groups from fatigue.
Overall, paddlers feel a major improvement in joint related stress and accompanying inflammation, and less fatigue of the muscle groups (especially during long days or avid daily paddling). The cumulative benefits of saving the body from unnatural repetitive motions can last a lifetime. All the joints in the arm, including the shoulder, can benefit from this more correct anatomical positioning. The enhanced indexing means blade control is far superior than with non ergonomic paddles.
Many bent shafts, however, have bends that are not suitable for the recreational paddler. There are a multitude of ways bent shaft manufacturers have approached the problem and the resulting design differences can be a bit confusing. Some claim ergonomically better but offer no real benefit. Most attempts have too great an angle or awkward configurations and the result is an uncomfortable feel. All AT bent shafts have a very subtle, yet accurate, bend configuration that allows for ergonomic optimization but still feels very comfortable and paddles naturally. We have spent over ten years evolving the perfect blend of physiological science and everyday paddling dynamics.
The best way to understand the benefits is by paddling for a few hours with an AT and then switching back to your conventional paddle. You will be surprised at the difference and most likely will become a believer in ergonomic kayak paddles.
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