PADDLES
Free consultation and demos so you make the perfect choice
We offer quality paddles from premium brands, all suitable for the flatwater, recreational waters of the Adirondacks. Choosing the right paddle can be a challenge for those new to paddling so take advantage of our expertise and allow us to guide you to the perfect option for you.
Paddling technique is easy to learn but can take a lifetime to master. As you gain more experience you'll develop your own preferences and adapt your style accordingly. To begin with though we can use general guidelines to match you with a quality paddle that will work well for you.
We offer free, no obligation demo sessions for all our paddles so you know for sure that you have the right one.
POPULAR PADDLES
Werner Kalliste
The ultimate touring paddle. Exquisite design and incredibly light. A joy to use.
Aquabound Stingray
Best selling, quality recreational paddle. Available in fiberglass and carbon.
Fox Worx Microlite 2
A beautiful, handcrafted paddle. Affordable, lightweight and efficient.
Werner Vibe (Leverlock)
High quality SUP paddle. Length can be easily adjusted for different people.
PADDLE 101
Here's a primer on some important concepts when considering which type of paddle is best for you.
KAYAK PADDLES
Kayak paddles have 2 blades which feel instinctive to use on alternate sides. This style of paddle has the potential to deliver more power and can be easier to steer than a single blade. The length of the paddle, feathering, the weight, the style of the blades and shaft are all things that are considered when selecting the right model for you. Double bladed paddles are sometimes used in canoes as well.
CANOE PADDLES
Canoe paddles have a single blade and are typically paddled a few strokes on one side and then a few on the alternate side. Easy to learn but offer endless possibilities for evolving your technique. The length of the paddle, its weight, the style of the blade, the shaft angle and grip style are all things that are considered when selecting the right model for you.
SUP PADDLES
SUP paddles have a single blade and are typically paddled a few strokes on one side and then a few on the alternate side. The length of the paddle, the weight, the style of the blade and the shaft angle are all things that are considered when selecting the right model for you.
DESIGN CONCEPTS
Here are some common aspects of paddle design that generally apply. Efficiency is the most important concept due to the high repetition of strokes. Proper technique is also vital for optimum efficiency. This said, a novice can be on the water and paddling somewhat effectively within minutes. The appreciation of improved technique and paddle design grows with experience.
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Length​
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The right length of paddle is determined by many variables. Your craft, physical size and your paddling style are all important factors. We use sizing guidance from manufacturers as a good starting point. To give a sense of common lengths, we find 230cm to be a popular length for kayak paddles, 56in for a straight shaft canoe paddle and 52in for a bent shaft.
A very long kayak paddle will encourage a relaxed paddling technique but will tend to turn the boat a little more. A very short one will encourage a higher angle, more engaged paddling technique but could involve some reaching to get the blade fully in the water. A long canoe paddle can be helpful for leveraging turns but less efficient when paddling forward. A short one is easier to switch sides but has less leverage for turns.
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For SUP paddles length is important to get right otherwise your experience could be negatively impacted. Most have the ability to be adjusted. Those that don't are either cheap or deliberately omit this feature to reduce weight.
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Blades (kayak paddles)
Kayak paddle blades are typically long and narrow (low angle) or short and wide (high angle). Low angle blades are optimized for efficient, relaxed paddling (recreational use). High angle blades are designed for more aggressive, powerful strokes (performance).
The size of the blade is also an important consideration. Small delivers less power but is easier to move through the water. Large allows you to apply more power but requires more effort. Higher end blades can be specially shaped to further aid efficiency and also utilize more advanced materials for this purpose too.
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Blade (canoe paddle)
​Canoe paddle blades can also be long and narrow (Beavertail & Ottertail) and these are good for deep water and smooth strokes. Alternatively, they can be shorter and wider (tear drop, rectangular) to deliver more power and maneuverability. Canoe paddles naturally encourage experimentation with technique in pursuit of good tracking and efficiency. As an example, canoe paddlers often paddle a few strokes on one side and then switch to the other. By using techniques such as J stroke or C stroke this switching can be reduced or eliminated for the price of a little forward momentum. Try it out and see which you prefer.
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SUP paddles tend to have similar qualities to short and wide canoe paddle blades.
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Weight
The weight of a paddle can have a significant effect on efficiency. Even a small amount of additional effort can add up over thousands of strokes on a longer trip. Lightweight paddles are more expensive but are a good investment for those that paddle a lot. For casual, recreational paddlers who are not doing long trips then more standard paddles that are a bit heavier are usually fine.
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Shaft
A straight shaft is the most common style for both canoe and kayak paddles. Kayak paddles can also have a bent shaft which some prefer for increased efficiency and less effort for the wrists. Most also have a feature called 'feathering' which allows the blades to be offset at different angles. This can aid efficiency by requiring less turning of the wrist and also help minimize the effects of wind. It's also common for kayak paddles to split into 2 pieces (or more) to make them easier to transport.
Canoe paddles with a bent shaft are also more efficient and are designed to keep the blade vertical in the water for longer to aid efficiency. These are favored by those doing longer trips or for performance. Canoe paddles also have different styles of grips. A T grip allows a little more turning control and a palm grip is more comfortable and well suited to relaxed touring.
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SUP paddles are comparable to canoe paddles for the most part although it is quite common for them to come in multiple pieces for easier transport.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
General advice when considering which type of paddle will be best for you. Paddling is easy to learn but you can spend a lifetime perfecting your technique if you choose to.
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​Select a paddle that is best suited to what you will use it for the most
As you gain paddling experience you will naturally learn your preferred paddling style and the type of trips you do the most. Are you happy to cruise along and just take everything in at a relaxed pace? Do you prefer to cover some distance and get a workout? As a real-world example, one of our guides takes a 230cm low angle kayak paddle when leading relaxed sightseeing trips but chooses a 215cm high angle paddle on his days off when tackling longer trips alone. For this reason some people own a range of paddles to suit different scenarios.
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Don't underestimate the importance of efficiency
As with most sports, a beginner will expend a lot more effort than someone who is experienced, has better equipment and utilizes proper technique. Even if you are just looking for a casual, easy experience, a little thought put into your paddle selection and practicing some basic efficiency techniques will greatly enhance your time on the water. As an example, make sure your blade is fully immersed in the water on every stroke, try to keep your arms mostly straight and power your stroke with your core (kayaking), don't over-paddle past your seat and waste effort. These little tweaks could significantly extend your time paddling comfortably and the distance you can travel.
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Tune into your style and preferences
Paddling can be a beautiful, immersive and deeply personal experience. It's very easy to get started and can open up a whole new world of outdoor adventures. Our advice aims to get you started but we encourage you to experiment and be conscious of the things you enjoy as well as the things that don't work so well for you and adapt as necessary. If you can, try different boats, paddles, techniques and types of trips to see what appeals to you most. ​
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Always test a paddle before buying
This is the only way to know for sure that you are making the right choice. How a paddle feels to you is ultimately all that matters. Design specs and other peoples opinions cannot give you that. We offer free, no obligation demos.