Learning about proper terminology, sizing and styles of paddles available will make paddle selection decisions for canoeists easier.
Canoe paddles transmit human effort into the movement of their canoe. Paddles can be made of many materials, sized for different paddlers and come in different shapes. Knowing the parts of a paddle and differences in style will help a canoeist made a good paddle selection based on the type of paddling performed.
Canoe Paddle Parts
- Grip - The handle formed on the top of the paddle shaft
- Shaft - The section of the paddle between the grip and paddle blade
- Throat - The transition point between the shaft and paddle blade
- Paddle Blade - The surface of the paddle that contacts the water
- Powerface - The face of the paddle blade that contacts the water during a forward stroke
- Backface - The face of the paddle blade opposite of the powerface
- Tip - The extreme end of the paddle blade
Straight Shaft Paddles - Canoeists that paddle from a kneeling position prefer these paddles and they are the most commonly produced paddles. Paddling can be accomplished with either face of the paddle blade.
Bent Shaft Paddles - These paddles have a bend at the shaft throat of 10 to 15 degrees making them easier to use for seated paddlers. Bent shaft paddles can only be used with their bend angle facing forward. Forward movement is more efficient, but turning strokes are more difficult with these paddles.
Paddle Sizing - Most paddle blades are about 20 centimeters (8 inches) across the face and 45 centimeters (18 inches) to 60 centimeters (24 inches) long. Selection of the proper shaft length is dependent on torso length and paddling position in the canoe. Bow paddlers use a shorter stroke and may prefer a shorter paddle length. The opposite holds true for stern paddles and their longer strokes. Optimum shaft length will vary a little with changing canoe positions and loads. If you can, try using your friends' paddles to help find the best match.
This is the sizing method used by the American Canoe Association (ACA) - To determine the shaft length of your canoe paddle, sit on a flat surface with the grip between the legs and the blade extending upward. The throat of a straight shaft paddle should be even with the top of the head and the throat of a bent shaft paddle should be level with bridge of the nose. Sitting in a canoe, your hand on the grip should be at eye level when the paddle is vertically position and its blade is in the water.
An alternative method is offered by Northwest River Supply (NRS) for sizing a straight shaft paddle. Sitting on a flat surface, measure from that surface to the tip of your nose. Take this measurement and add the height of your canoe seat and length of the paddle blade to it determine overall paddle length.
