Whitewater Kayak Paddle Buying Guide
What to consider when shopping for your paddle
Choosing the right paddle for whitewater kayaking can be daunting with all the available paddle options to consider.
A whitewater paddle that matches your skill level and paddling style and meets your price demands is ideal. But weighing the options can be overwhelming.
Luckily, CKS Online paddle experts are here to help you understand what to consider when choosing a paddle that will work for you and how you paddle! And our team is always available if you have any questions this blog doesn't cover.
You'll want to consider
Kayaking Style + Paddle Sizing
Price and
Materials
Bent shaft paddle or straight shaft paddle
One-piece paddle or a breakdown paddle.
Your Paddle Style and Kayak Experience
Your whitewater kayaking experience and the style of kayaking you want to do make a difference in the type of paddle you choose, as well as the size paddle you choose. Paddle length (measured in cm), shaft width and blade dimensions are variables you will want to consider.
- For example, paddlers 5'3" to 5'8" would probably prefer a paddle between 190-196 cm, paddlers 5'9" to 6'1" would prefer a paddle between 196-200 cm, whereas those taller than 6'1" would prefer a paddle over 200 cm.
- Paddlers looking for more power and stability in their strokes may consider a larger blade size.
- On the other hand, you’ll generally get more efficiency in your paddle strokes with a mid-size blade.
- Shorter paddle lengths tend to be great for those who are looking for a more aggressive paddle stroke, which can be beneficial when performing play boat maneuvers.
Understanding your own experience and style can help you choose the right paddle blade, as well as the right length, blade size and desired offset. If you have any questions about your paddling style and the best paddle for you, our experts are always happy to chat paddling!
Material Choices
When looking at the best paddles for whitewater kayaking, there are several different materials to choose from. Each has its benefits.
Aluminum Shaft
Aluminum shaft whitewater paddles are a great choice for those who are looking for the most affordable option. This is regularly a preferred material choice for recreational kayakers, and those who don’t have a lot of experience under their belt.
Pro: This affordable material is durable and flexible.
Con: Flexibility can come at the cost of efficiency.
Fiberglass Shaft
Fiberglass whitewater kayak paddles hold a lot of benefits. Paddlers will quickly find that a fiberglass kayak paddle is strong, yet lightweight. It’s a little more flexible than other options like carbon, which is good for those with weaker or sensitive wrists.
Pro: Strong, yet lightweight and more flexible
Con: Fiberglass paddles tend to offer a little less power per stroke.
Carbon + Carbon Core
Carbon kayak paddles are a fantastic option if you’re looking for the most lightweight choice. They are also the most powerful of the material options, making them great for many whitewater kayaking adventures.
The benefits a carbon paddle offers are great, however, you’re going to be paying more for your paddle.Carbon is one of the most expensive kayak paddle options. In addition, while carbon paddles take a lot to wear down, they offer very little flexibility. Ultimately, they do not bend, and if they reach a certain pressure threshold, they will break.
Pro: Most powerful and lightweight choice. Great for whitewater kayaking.
Con: Most expensive option and less flexibility
How to Choose: Fiberglass and Carbon Whitewater Kayak Paddles
When browsing selections of high-quality Whitewater Kayak Paddles, you’ll find yourself comparing carbon paddles and fiberglass paddles. Choosing the right material for you is going to help you get the best out of your gear and boating experience. Following are pros and cons of each material type and how it’s used in the paddle.
Bent Shaft vs. Straight Shaft
Another item to consider when buying a whitewater kayak paddle is whether you want a bent shaft paddle or a straight shaft paddle. Each paddle type has its pros and cons.
Straight Shaft Kayak Paddle
Pro: Tends to be strong under pressure. This type of shaft offers the reliability that you need and the power that you’re looking for when performing things like low bracing and back paddling.
Con: A straight shaft does not allow for ergonomic wrist positions, and it’s easy to find your hands slipping down the paddle as you go.
Bent Shaft Kayak Paddle
Pro: Easier to keep your hands in the right position. This can help prevent wrist injuries or even the loss of your paddle.
Con: Bent shaft paddles tend to be a little more expensive than their straight counterparts. They are slightly more susceptible to breaking, due to the bend in the shaft. However, this doesn’t present as an issue in most cases.
How to Choose: Bent Shaft vs. Straight Shaft Kayak Paddles
When shopping for whitewater kayak paddles, you’ll notice many offerings are available in a bent shaft and a straight shaft paddle design. As you look at the variety of bent kayak paddles vs straight, you might be wondering what the difference is. We asked our experts to help readers understand the advantages and disadvantages of a bent shaft kayak paddle and a straight shaft kayak paddle.
1-Piece Paddle vs Breakdown Paddle
Whether you want a 1-piece kayaking paddle or a breakdown paddle is another consideration when buying a whitewater kayak paddle. Both are great options and offer their own justifications - it all really comes down to what you’re looking for.
1-piece Kayak Paddle
This paddle is a single, continuous piece. In general, this is the best option for most people. It offers higher durability than breakdown options because there are no weak spots where the paddle breaks down. This style also offers the best performance, overall. On top of this, 1-piece kayak paddles tend to be the lightest option.
Breakdown Paddle
Beneficial for those who simply don’t have the storage space needed for a larger, single-piece paddle. The more pieces your paddle breaks down into, the heavier it will be, and the more the durability will suffer. If you plan to travel frequently or need to conserve storage space, a breakdown paddle might be the best option for you.
How to Choose: 1-Piece or Breakdown Kayak Paddles
Kayak paddles are often available with different breakdown paddle shaft options, allowing you to choose the right paddle first, and then decide if you want a 1-piece, 2-piece, or 4-piece kayak paddle. Most high-quality kayak paddles come in a 1-piece, 2-piece, or 4-piece breakdown design.
Conclusion
There are many options to consider when buying a whitewater kayak paddle. From the paddler's paddle-style and paddle sizing to the price, storeability and more, you need to find the best paddle for you and your situation. Check out some of the best paddles for whitewater kayaking to take a closer look at each feature and what is best for you! Our Paddle Experts are always ready to chat and answer any questions you have!
