When it comes to kayaking, choosing the right kayak paddles is almost as important as your kayak itself. Regardless of your experience in the water, using the wrong kayak paddles can hinder your progress, speed and overall enjoyment when you’re out on the water. 

Here at NorthShore Watersports, we’ve created a guide to choosing the right kayak paddles suited to your kayaking activities. From kayak paddles lengths and shaft types to paddle material and blade shapes, you can find all the information you need to help you choose.

Kayak Paddle Length

When it comes to kayak paddle lengths, there are two things to consider: your height and the width of your kayak. The general rule is that the wider your kayak is and the taller you are, the longer you’ll need your kayak paddles to be. 

Paddle manufacturers take both these factors into account when sizing their kayak paddles and most companies will have a size chart available for you to refer to, which we advise checking before you purchase your kayak paddles. 

Low-Angle vs High-Angle Paddles

Another thing to consider is whether you will need low-angle or high-angle kayak paddles, as these are sized slightly differently. Low-angle kayak paddles are best for recreational kayaking in calm, flat waters, while high-angle kayak paddles are shorter in length and have a wider blade to assist paddlers seeking more speed. 

Kayak Paddle Shaft Design

Once you’ve established the kayak paddle length you require, the next thing to work out is the type of shaft you’ll need. There are two types of kayak paddle shaft design: straight shafts and bent (or ergonomic) shafts. 

Straight Shafts

Straight-shaft paddles are the standard, traditional shape for kayak paddles. If you’re new to kayaking or enjoy recreational paddling, a straight shaft will provide all you need.

Bent Shafts

Bent-shaft paddles are characterised by their kinked design, which enables a more comfortable hand position for paddlers during powerful strokes and lessens arm fatigue. For this reason, bent-shaft paddles tend to be favoured by more experienced paddlers rather than recreational paddlers.

Kayak Blade Types

It’s just as important to consider which type of blade you’ll need to suit your kayaking activity. There are several factors to consider:

Symmetric vs Asymmetric

Nowadays, most kayak paddle blades take an asymmetrical dihedral shape, which is fairly narrow and angled shorter on one side. Asymmetrical blades are popular as their design enables water to run equally over both sides of the blade. Asymmetric blades tend to be lighter and thus considered more favourable for long kayaking trips and touring excursions where paddlers would use a leisurely, low stroke. 

Symmetric blades, however, provide more power and are, therefore, usually the preferred choice with whitewater kayaking and for those who use a high stroke.  

You can easily tell an asymmetrical blade from a symmetrical blade by looking at its two halves. If they have an even surface area, it’s symmetrical. If one side is larger than the other, it’s asymmetrical. 

Blade Width & Length

As well as shape, the width and length of your kayak paddles play a large role. Kayak paddles with wider blades are generally better suited to paddlers seeking faster, more powerful strokes. Longer, narrower blades tend to work much better for paddlers engaging in slower, gentle strokes.

This means paddlers who are seeking increased speed and power may select the same blade shape as a touring paddler, but opt for shorter and wider measurements.

Feathering

When it comes to kayak paddle blades, another element to consider is feathering. Kayak paddle blades are either ‘matched’, whereby the blades are aligned with each other, or ‘feathered’, whereby the blades are at opposing angles to each other to help reduce wind resistance. While most paddle shafts give the option of either, it’s worth checking the amount of angle adjustment your chosen paddle provides.

Kayak Paddle Materials

Finally, the material of both your kayak paddle blade and shaft is a crucial factor to consider, as this can make a huge difference to your performance, fatigue and agility in the water.

Plastic and Aluminium Kayak Paddles

Durable, reliable and inexpensive, plastic and aluminium kayak paddles are a popular starting choice for many paddlers. However, as both these materials can feel heavy as your arms begin to fatigue, many paddlers move onto more lightweight options.

Wooden Kayak Paddles

Though sturdy and rigid, nowadays, wooden kayak paddles can be made to be incredibly lightweight. This, combined with their classic aesthetic, make wooden kayak paddles a popular choice for many paddlers.

Fibreglass and Carbon-Fibre Kayak Paddles

Tough and durable yet lightweight enough to reduce arm fatigue, fibreglass or carbon-fibre kayak paddles are considered some of the finest materials for kayaking. Due to their benefits, however, you may find fibreglass and carbon-fibre kayak paddles are more expensive than heavier alternatives.

Ready to start the search for your kayak paddles? At NorthShore Watersports, you can find a huge variety of premium-quality kayak paddles to suit every skill level, including recreational kayak paddles, whitewater kayak paddles and touring kayak paddles from a number of leading brands.