Choosing a canoe paddle require you to understand how the length and the shape of the canoe paddle affect your ability to move through water. If a canoe paddle is an incorrect size, a person will experience physical discomfort because an incorrect canoe paddle size cause muscles to strain. You must select a canoe paddle that match your body size and your position in the canoe so that you can paddle efficienty.
To determine the correct length for a canoe paddle, you can use a specific measurement method. You should sit in a chair that mimics the seat of a canoe, and you should sit with good posture. You must then measure the distance from the tip of your nose straight down to floor.
How to Choose the Right Canoe Paddle
This measurement from the nose to the floor represent the ideal shaft length for the canoe paddle, and you should then add approximately six inches to that measurement to account for the blade. This total length provide a baseline for a canoe paddle, but you may need to adjust this length based off your role in the canoe. For example, a person paddling in the bow of the canoe may benefit from a shorter canoe paddle to allow for quick movements, but a person paddling in the stern of the canoe may require a longer canoe paddle to assist with steering.
If you are paddling alone in the center of the canoe, you should choose a canoe paddle that is a middle length between a bow paddle and a stern paddle. The design of the canoe paddle also include the grip, the shaft, and the blade. The grip is the part of the canoe paddle that you hold, and different grips serves different purposes.
A pear-shaped grip is useful for long distances because a pear-shaped grip provide comfort, but a T-bar grip is useful for whitewater because a T-bar grip provides precision and control. The shaft is the long part of the canoe paddle that connect the grip to the blade. Some shafts is straight, and some shafts have a bend of ten to fourteen degrees.
A bent shaft is useful for flatwater because a bent shaft helps to keep the blade perpendicular to the water and reduce wrist twist, but a straight shaft may be easier to use when you need to switch sides quickly. The blade is the part of the canoe paddle that enter the water. A narrow blade is good for quiet distance paddling, a wide blade is good for general use, and a square blade is good for providing power in rapids.
The material of the canoe paddle will change how much the canoe paddle weigh and how much the canoe paddle cost. Wood is a common material for a canoe paddle, and wood is buoyant, but wood require varnish to prevent rot. Aluminum is a durable material for a canoe paddle, but aluminum is heavy and can be difficult to carry during portages.
Fiberglass is a material that is lighter than aluminum but less expensive than carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is a very light material for a canoe paddle, and carbon fiber allow for a fast cadence, but carbon fiber is a very expensive material. You should choose a material based on how much you paddle, because a person who paddles frequently may want to invest in a lightweight carbon fiber canoe paddle.
You must also consider the width of the canoe when you are selecting a canoe paddle. If a canoe is wider than thirty-four inches, you may need to select a canoe paddle that is two inches longer than standard measurement. Additionally, if you plan to kneel in the canoe rather than sit in a seat, you should select a canoe paddle that is a few inch shorter.
You can test a canoe paddle on the water to ensure the fit is correct. When you use the canoe paddle, your elbows should stay near ninety degrees at the catch, and you should not have to lift your shoulder to plant the blade in the water. If your top hand feel strained or your bottom elbow feels awkward, you should adjust the length of the canoe paddle up or down by one inch.
Following these steps ensure that the canoe paddle is the correct size for your body and your specific paddling needs.
