A (slightly longer than planned) introduction to selecting an all-rounder canoe paddle for your first canoeing experience.
Canoe paddles come in so many sizes, shapes and materials. But to have fun you only need one. This handy guide will tell you why – out of all the paddle designs across the globe – you’ll typically only find two different types of paddles in most canoes across Australia. We’ll also share with you a few handy tips for how to hold a paddle and how to size the right paddle for you.
You don’t need to know any technical terms to be able to mess about in boats but knowing a few words so we can use shorthand when talking about paddles can be incredibly helpful.
One hand over the top of the grip, and the other hand wrapped around the shaft just above the throat. Simple!
If you’re going for a short paddle and there is only one size of paddle, then correct size of paddle for you is the one that you have! But if there are a range of paddle sizes available then you can start getting a little pickier.
The quick and dirty sizing rule is to stand holding the paddle in front of you with the blade on the ground. The grip should be somewhere between the pit of your neck and your chin. If you have a long torso (compared to your overall body length) then lean towards a slightly longer paddle, and if you have a short torso then lean towards a slightly shorter paddle.
More technical paddle sizing than this depends on the type of paddle you are using and the type of water you’ll be paddling (eg flat water or white water). Generally speaking though, the aim of paddle sizing is that when you are sitting (or kneeling) in your canoe, and your top hand holding the paddle grip is extended in front of you and roughly level with your chin, that the whole paddle blade (up to the top of the shoulder, just below the throat) will be under water.
There are two main paddle grip designs that you’ll encounter. A T-grip and a palm grip.
As a beginner paddler there is no huge advantage in one style of grip or the other. T-grip’s are usually considered better for when you need control – which is great for a beginner paddler (and also on white water!). Palm grips on the other hand are usually considered to be more comfortable on your hands, and good for long days of flatwater paddling.
Canoe paddle blade shapes can be divided in to two main camps: ‘tripping’ paddles and whitewater paddles. Tripping paddles are usually long, narrow and have rounded tips. Whitewater paddles on the other hand are typically shorter, wider and have flat tips which are often reinforced.
There are LOTS of reasons why one might choose a tripping paddle vs a whitewater paddle, but for novices in Australia we always recommend a whitewater paddle.
Because of their wide tip and sharper corners, whitewater blades will have a quicker “catch” in the water and they make it easier to steer your canoe. Whitewater paddles are also preferable in shallow water because they allow maximum blade surface area in shallow water. Unsurprisingly they are the most common type of paddle in Australia where we aren’t known for the depth and breadth of our waterways!
A curved blade has a “face” and “back”. The face of the paddle is the inside of the curved part of the blade – like the inside of a spoon. This scooped face of the blade can also be thought of the ‘drive’ side of the paddle. If you have a curved blade paddle, then use this drive side of the blade to propel you forward.
A flat blade paddle has no front or back, you can use it any direction. Flat blades are great in white water where you might have to paddle in a range of different directions to control the boat. Flat bladed paddles are useful if you are paddling a canoe on your own. They are also preferable as you learn more advanced paddle strokes.
As a novice paddler you won’t notice much of a difference between a curved or flat blade paddle, but if you are looking to purchase one then we’d strongly recommend you buy a flat blade paddle because as you progress in your ability a flat blade paddle makes a world of difference to your paddling experience.
A straight shaft paddle is where the imaginary line running down the middle of the shaft continues through the blade. Straight shaft paddles are best for all around paddling and manoeuvring strokes. If you’re interested in poking around and having a look at things while you are out and about in your canoe, then stick with a straight shaft paddle. They are the best type of paddle for learning foundational paddle strokes and developing good technique. They are also preferred for whitewater paddling.
You may also see some people using paddles that have a ‘bend’ or kink in them around the throat of the shaft. These are called bent shaft paddles. Bent shafts are more efficient and ideal for racing. They are also commonly used on long-distance trips but you only get the benefit of a bent shaft if you have already mastered good technique. We don’t recommend bent shaft paddles to novice paddlers.
Most of the canoe paddle blades that you’ll see will be made of either plastic, timber, or something else. Canoe shafts are normally made from aluminium, timber, or something else. As beginner paddlers we can safely ignore the “something else” categories because they are either very expensive, very technical, or simply uncommon.
Plastic blades vary considerably in quality, and this can’t be stressed enough. The ideal plastic blade will be stiff, light, and durable. A heavy, flexible plastic makes paddling hard work – you have to lift more weight, you apply less force, and you don’t go as fast or as far. It is inefficient and not much fun. Plastic blades usually come with an aluminium shaft and plastic grip. Good quality plastic blades are a great choice for low maintenance, budget priced, general-purpose use – they are also our go to paddle for whitewater.
Good whitewater timber paddles for novices are relatively light and are usually made from several pieces of wood laminated together. The blades of a whitewater paddle will also usually have a reinforced tip – perhaps a plastic or fibreglass end. Even though they require a little more maintenance over their life, if you have a choice between a plastic paddle with an aluminium shaft or a wooden paddle, we’d steer you towards the wooden paddle 90% of the time. They are a pleasure to handle, are visually more appealing, and are less cold on the hands than an aluminium shaft in winter!
Despite all of the possible variations, the most common canoe paddles you will find in Australia are both straight shafted, flat, whitewater style blades with one of the following two material combinations: A plastic blade and plastic T-grip on an aluminium shaft (sometimes with a curved blade) or, a wooden paddle with a reinforced tip. These are both excellent options for novice paddlers and we recommend them wholeheartedly as you begin your foray into the world of canoeing.
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