When most people take up canoeing, they assume that any paddle will do. This is not the case--there are numerous types of paddles available. They are made from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, polyethylene, fiberglass and carbon fiber, according to Pickynet.com. Each type of paddle is designed for a specific use. Choosing the right paddles will help you get the most out of canoeing.
Recreatonal
According to Paddling.net, recreational paddles are designed for everyday, light use. These paddles are suitable for lake waters and small rapids. They typically are made of lower-quality wood or aluminum. Some recreational paddles are made of plastic, with aluminum handles. Although these paddles are inexpensive, they offer less-responsive handling than other types of paddles.
Lake
Lake-water paddles are crafted for distance paddling requiring thousands of strokes. They typically are made from a single piece of wood or laminated wood, and they have narrow, long blades. As the name suggests, these paddles are made for use on lakes and other calm waters. According to Paddling.net, you should sand and apply oil to scrapes on the tips to prolong the life of your paddles.
Whitewater
Because whitewater canoeing is hard on paddle blades, these paddles are built with durability in mind. They most often are made of wood, Kevlar or fiberglass, and the blade tips typically are reinforced with metal or resin, according to Paddling.net. Whitewater paddles have long handles and short, square blades for quick, powerful paddling in rough rapids.
Performance
Performance paddles are designed for racing. According to Paddling.net, these paddles are made with lightness and stroke efficiency in mind. Performance paddles can be made from a variety of composite materials to maximize strength and minimize weight. Some performance paddles feature angled shafts to position the blades perpendicular to the water's surface during power strokes. This helps maximize thrust and allows racers to achieve relatively high speeds on the water.
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