Choosing a Kayak paddle can be an overwhelming decision however with a little information it is really not that hard at all. Kayak paddles have long shafts with two blades, one at each end. It is important to note that any kayak paddle will work with an inflatable kayak, however since the main advantage of an inflatable is portability and storage; most inflatable users prefer to get a kayak paddle that can be disassembled into smaller pieces.
Size is very important when picking a paddle. The larger the blade is the more powerful strokes you will be able to make however it is also much more difficult and thus can be tiring. In general, a paddle 196-200 cm in length is good for paddlers between 5 foot 8 inches and 6 foot 1 inch. For paddlers between 5 foot 3 inch and 5 foot 8 inch, a paddle 192-196 cm in length should work great. For paddlers taller than 6 foot 1 inch, a paddle between 200 and 204 cm will be of ample length.
The next decision in purchasing a paddle is offset. This means how the blades are aligned with each other. 0 degrees of offset means that the blades are parallel along the shaft. A 90 degree offset means that while one paddle is facing you the other will be facing the ground. Any offset in between has the paddles at the angle indicated. A large offset makes fast paddling easier, however many people prefer less offset because it requires less twisting of the wrist.
Materials of kayak paddles can differ greatly. The most popular choices are aluminum, plastic, fiberglass and carbon fibre. For the purpose of inflatable kayaks, the material doesn’t necessarily matter as much as it would to a hard shelled kayaker. In general the material affects durability, and weight as well as price. To see some paddles for sale, check out the auctions below. Good luck shopping!
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