Having the right size, and right kind, of canoe paddle makes a big difference. Nobody likes to be fully prepared to get on the water and then realize they don't have the right size or kind of canoe paddle. This leads to wasted energy and frustration trying to make the wrong canoe paddle work.
If you end up with a paddle that’s too short for you, you’ll be leaning further over the side of the boat, possibly scraping the gunwale (bad form), and throwing off your balance while challenging your body's endurance.
On the flip side, a paddle that’s too long means more resistance on every stoke and you maybe have difficulties fully lifting the canoe blade out of the water. Being comfortable with your paddling setup makes you more efficient at moving through the water and sets you up for a more positive experience.
The shape and materials of your canoe paddle absolutely comes down to application and preference.
In this article we’ll have a look at different styles so you can choose the best paddle for you, and how to properly size your canoe paddle.
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How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle
Parts of a Canoe Paddle
Let’s quickly go over the parts of a canoe paddle so you have the best idea of the landmarks we are using to measure them.
The main parts of a canoe paddle are: handle, shaft, throat, shoulder, blade, tip/ edge.
How to Size a Canoe Paddle
The right way to size a canoe paddle is a highly debated topic. The only right answer here is the shortest paddle that allows you to reach the water comfortably. At the middle of your stroke, your top hand should be level to your nose and your entire paddle blade should be just submerged under water.
My go-to way to size a canoe paddle is to set the blade on the top of your foot. The ideal length here is to have the handle grip rest between your nose and chin when standing straight.
Another method is to sit in a chair. Set the canoe paddle upside down between your legs so that the handle rests on the seat. The throat or neck (where the blade begins on the shaft) should be level with the hairline on your forehead.
If you don’t have the paddle in front of you, or it’s for someone else, you can measure the torso of the paddler. This will be almost the same distance as with the sitting technique: From the seat to your nose. Once you have that measurement, you can compare with our guide to get the best estimate for you.
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Canoe Paddle Size Chart
If you can’t guess the right length for a paddle for someone else, or want several people to be able to use the same paddle, you can find length adjustable ones like the Werner Bandito Glass 2pc Adjustable Canoe Paddle.
Werner Bandito Glass 2pc Adjustable Canoe Paddle
$350.00
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The Bandito is an aggressive spooned canoe paddle for technical river runners and slalom canoeists. Performance and reliability are the goal for our white water canoe paddles. Premium Performance uses material choice… Read More
Canoe Paddle Handles
Let’s talk about the different canoe handles and grips. In the first diagram, you saw an example of a “palm grip” and a “T grip” and you may be wondering what the difference is.
Typically, T grips are best for a tighter hold. Think children or anyone paddling whitewater. Otherwise, the palm grip is a more comfortable hold for longer trips.
What is a Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle?
Canoe paddles also come in lots of different shapes! Most canoe paddles have a straight shaft, so why would you make a bent one?
Bent shaft canoe paddles excel in boosting your speed and efficiency by extending the length of your stroke where the blade stays perpendicular to the water.
The drawback here (pun intended) is that they make maneuvering strokes harder to complete. A bent shaft paddle is best for you if you’re doing long, flatwater trips.
Check out the Bending Branches Viper!
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Bending Branches Viper Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle
$304.95
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The Viper is ergonomically designed with a double bend shaft to help keep both wrists aligned when paddling. This reduces fatigue and is a great benefit for wilderness tripping. This paddle is… Read More
How to Choose a Canoe Paddle Blade
Choosing the right shaped canoe blade will also depend on what kind of paddling you’re doing and where you’re going.
Sugar Island/ Classic Canoe Paddle Blade
The classic canoe paddle shape is called “sugar island” and is the most versatile blade. Usually, a wider blade also means a shorter blade.
Rounded Square Canoe Paddle Blade
The wider and shorter it is, the better versed it will be for paddling rivers or shallow areas where there is a risk of scraping or catching on the bottom. Bending Branches’ Expedition Plus is a great example.
Bending Branches Expedition Plus Canoe Paddle
$304.95
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The Expedition Plus is Bending Branches‚ most durable canoe paddle. The Expedition stands up to the most demanding conditions on long wilderness trips.Handcrafted from closed grain, lightweight and durable hardwoods, the Expedition… Read More
Beavertail Canoe Paddle Blade
Deep lakes open you up to using longer paddle blades to pull a higher volume of water. There is a special type of paddle in this category called “beavertail” after its namesake. The more surface area you have on your blade, the higher volume of water you can move, but the longer your blade is, the further underwater you have to stroke. This can be a disadvantage on rivers when you need to react quickly.
Beavertail paddles are almost always made of wood and the Bending Branches is a great one.
Bending Branches Beavertail Canoe Paddle
$189.95
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle With its long, slender blade shape, the Beavertail recreational canoe paddle is a terrific choice for lake paddling in deep water. This narrower and longer bladed paddle pulls smoothly through the water,… Read More
Beavertail and bent shaft paddles are usually measured a bit differently, which you can find in the previous canoe paddle sizing chart above.
Canoe Paddle Materials
Materials make a big impact on the weight and longevity of your canoe paddle, as well as how stiff it is. The stiffer the paddle, the more effective your strokes will be. Most die-hard canoeists will tell you that wood is the only way to go.
Wood Canoe Paddle
We have a special place in our hearts for wood canoe paddles. They have that natural beauty that just oozes timeless charm. The warmth and comfort of wood make every stroke a pleasure, and they've got this cool flex that soaks up shocks and vibrations, giving your hands and arms a break. Plus, they actually float. So, if you accidentally drop one overboard, no worries, you can easily scoop it back up.
Aluminum Canoe Paddle
Another popular budget option is aluminum shafts paired with a plastic or fibreglass blade. These are popular because of their price point but are by far the heaviest. One of the major advantages of aluminum canoe paddles is durability. They are highly resistant to impact, making them suitable for paddling in rocky or shallow waters without worrying about damage. They can withstand rough handling and are less likely to break or crack compared to other paddle materials. Aluminum paddles have natural buoyancy too, which can be advantageous in certain situations.
Fibreglass Canoe Paddle
Fibreglass is a bit lighter and stiffer than plastic but aluminum shafts can be quite cold on the hands as well. Fiberglass is known for its strength and resilience. Canoe paddles made from fiberglass are highly resistant to impact, making them more durable and able to withstand the rigors of various water conditions, including rocky riverbeds or shallow waters. This paddle type is suitable for a wide range of canoeing disciplines too; including recreational paddling, touring, racing, and even whitewater paddling.
Carbon Canoe Paddle
With their lightweight construction, carbon canoe paddles offer enhanced maneuverability and reduced fatigue, allowing for longer and more efficient paddling sessions. They sit at a higher price point than their aluminum, plastic or fibreglass counterparts. There's a reason for this price jump. The exceptional strength-to-weight ratio of carbon fiber ensures optimal power transfer and responsive control, resulting in superior performance on the water. Another benefit is that carbon paddles dampen vibrations, and resist corrosion, making them a preferred option for experienced paddlers seeking high-performance gear.
The Werner Bandit is a great paddle to compare in both the fibreglass and carbon version. The Werner Bandit is also one of the best carbon canoe paddles.
Werner Bandit Carbon Canoe Paddle
$350.00
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The Werner Bandit Carbon Canoe Paddle is an aggressive spooned canoe paddle for technical river runners and slalom canoeists. If you want performance and reliability, the Werner Bandit Carbon Canoe Paddle is… Read More
Werner Bandit Glass Canoe Paddle
$285.00
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The Werner Bandit Glass Canoe Paddle is an aggressive spooned canoe paddle for technical river runners and slalom canoeists. The Bandit is made with choice materials and years of high end manufacturing… Read More
Thanks for checking out this article about choosing and sizing the right canoe paddle! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at AQ Outdoors, using the information below.
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