EXTRAS
Tips / Equipment
Choosing the Right Boat is Only Half the Battle
Selecting the appropriate paddle might seem simple when starting out, just pick one and go. But as you gain experience as a paddler, you begin to realize that those abstract concepts of lengths and angles take on a lot of meaning. It becomes obvious that the paddle is just as important a selection as your boat, if not more so. It is your tool, your connection to the water. Finding the appropriate blade and setting the most efficient length and feather angle can transform your kayaking experience, whether you prefer long-distance cruising or intense workouts and racing.
We designed the interactive Paddle Wizard on our website to help people filter through the options and find the right paddle for their skill, conditioning, and intended paddling style. This system gives paddlers a good guideline and starting point. Keep in mind nothing is set in stone. Our Length-Lock™ system allows you to experiment with length in a 10 cm range, with any feather angle. Don't be afraid to try different settings, especially in varying water and weather conditions.
Oscar and Greg to this day are always looking for new feeling from their paddles, and continue to try new lengths and settings for different boats and conditions. Here is a little insight into what they use currently.
Greg — In the surf ski I typically use a mid wing set at 214 cm. In shorter races I may set it a little longer, and a little shorter for long-distance racing or if I'm fatigued. In my ICF boat I generally use my mid large wing set at 219 cm. When I'm paddling the front of a K2 I shorten it down 2–3 cm. When I'm out in a sea kayak I use a mid wing or a small mid wing at 214–216 cm, depending on what boat I'm in and what the conditions are like. Alternatively I'll use an Active Tour at 212 cm.
I think I may use a little longer length than many paddlers my size in the surf ski. This is probably due to my sprint paddling roots, where longer and bigger paddles are used. I set my feather angle at 75 degrees, which again is a little more than many people use today. Back when I started out I was using 85 degrees (which was more common then) so 75 seems easy to me.
The trend these days is definitely towards shorter paddles. A good example of that was at this year's US Surf Ski Championships. Lewis Laughlin won using a small mid set at 207 cm.
Oscar — In the V10 I set my mid wing to 215 cm. When I'm heading into the wind I will often shorten it down to 213, and if I'm really buggered I go to 210 cm. I have been experimenting with adjusting lengths during a race also. When I'm on flat water doing skills work I will sometimes use a mid large wing set at 217 cm.
In an ICF I use mid wings set at 217–219 cm. I will use a mid large wing for sprints. When going downriver in an ICF boat I'll vary between 210–214 cm depending on conditions. I use the same as Greg in the sea kayaks, and also use a 75-degree feather angle.
I also believe that the trend will continue towards shorter paddles. I believe that paddlers will begin to wise up and realize that a smaller paddle, whether in length or blade size, might be more appropriate for them in certain circumstances, if not always. It is not a sign of weakness!
We designed the interactive Paddle Wizard on our website to help people filter through the options and find the right paddle for their skill, conditioning, and intended paddling style. This system gives paddlers a good guideline and starting point. Keep in mind nothing is set in stone. Our Length-Lock™ system allows you to experiment with length in a 10 cm range, with any feather angle. Don't be afraid to try different settings, especially in varying water and weather conditions.
Oscar and Greg to this day are always looking for new feeling from their paddles, and continue to try new lengths and settings for different boats and conditions. Here is a little insight into what they use currently.
Greg — In the surf ski I typically use a mid wing set at 214 cm. In shorter races I may set it a little longer, and a little shorter for long-distance racing or if I'm fatigued. In my ICF boat I generally use my mid large wing set at 219 cm. When I'm paddling the front of a K2 I shorten it down 2–3 cm. When I'm out in a sea kayak I use a mid wing or a small mid wing at 214–216 cm, depending on what boat I'm in and what the conditions are like. Alternatively I'll use an Active Tour at 212 cm.
I think I may use a little longer length than many paddlers my size in the surf ski. This is probably due to my sprint paddling roots, where longer and bigger paddles are used. I set my feather angle at 75 degrees, which again is a little more than many people use today. Back when I started out I was using 85 degrees (which was more common then) so 75 seems easy to me.
The trend these days is definitely towards shorter paddles. A good example of that was at this year's US Surf Ski Championships. Lewis Laughlin won using a small mid set at 207 cm.
Oscar — In the V10 I set my mid wing to 215 cm. When I'm heading into the wind I will often shorten it down to 213, and if I'm really buggered I go to 210 cm. I have been experimenting with adjusting lengths during a race also. When I'm on flat water doing skills work I will sometimes use a mid large wing set at 217 cm.
In an ICF I use mid wings set at 217–219 cm. I will use a mid large wing for sprints. When going downriver in an ICF boat I'll vary between 210–214 cm depending on conditions. I use the same as Greg in the sea kayaks, and also use a 75-degree feather angle.
I also believe that the trend will continue towards shorter paddles. I believe that paddlers will begin to wise up and realize that a smaller paddle, whether in length or blade size, might be more appropriate for them in certain circumstances, if not always. It is not a sign of weakness!
