Lets find you the perfect paddle

At Obsessed Paddlesports I take the paddler's preference as the main consideration in anything. If the paddler isn't comfortable, they won't have fun, and if they don't have fun, they won't keep paddling. No paddle is outright better than any other. The right paddle is the one that the paddler likes.

That being said, there are a lot of things we can try out. Just because you like a paddle doesn't mean you won't like a different one more. I also value the paddler understanding the differences between options and believe its important to decision making that the paddler knows how to use a piece of equipment properly to be able to give it a test paddle.

Having tried all of these different options personally I understand that knowing how they all impact your paddling and can give advice on how to modify your technique to get the best out of each when trying out something new.

There are three main modern paddle shapes for flatwater sprint, flatwater marathon and surf/ocean paddling disciplines. Whilst there is a core technique which is the same across all three shapes, there are subtle differences in how and where to apply power throughout the stroke which can have a big impact on how the paddle suits the paddler. These are explained below.

The parallel edge paddle shape was the original of the modern paddles, which came to prominance (at least as far as I'm aware) around the 1992 Barcelona olympics (Clint Robinson Gold for Australia, great race). It is the most forgiving and least efficient of the modern shapes. In my opinion its a great beginner paddle as it holds up well when you have a bad stroke. The counter to this is that it is the least efficient at catching the water in the blade. Its great for beginners, paddlers with less technical focus, iron persons and multi discipline paddlers, and paddlers in uncertain environments (i.e. surf).

Example paddle - Jantex Alpha series (left hand paddle in the photo).

The teardrop shape was the first major variation on the parallel edge paddle. It was initially popular in flatwater paddling disciplines gaining cross over into surf/ocean disciplines over time. The teardrop shape catches more water lower in the blade and is more efficient in holding it within the blade within the stroke. The pay off for this is that the paddle is very particular in how it wants to move through the water and can move sharply in different directions which affect balance in the boat when having technique errors or just having a bad stroke. It suits technically proficient paddlers and is more suitable in more predictable flatwater environments. That being said, it remains very popular and effective in surf/ocean paddling but can have a longer learning curve. It is definitely a good idea to have a technically experienced coach when learning how to use one of these paddles.

Example paddle - Jantex Beta series (middle paddle in the photo).

These are a further variation on the teardrop shape which places even more volume in the lower section of the paddle, making the catch phase of the stroke the heaviest of all three of these paddles. They are more efficient again than the teardrop shape but are designed to suit a very short stroke with an early and effortless exit. This shape was designed for quick accelaration and rapid changes of pace such as in surf and ocean paddling. Like the teardrop shape, these do have a way they 'want' to move through the water and can move unpredictably when you have a bad stroke, affecting stability in the boat. Again, these can be used in any environment and/or discipline but lend themselves well to surf and ocean paddling where the paddler needs to accelerate quickly and frequently to pick up runners and waves.

Example paddle - Jantex Gamma series (right paddle in the photo)

Blade size is a relatively simple consideration: the bigger the blade, the more effort required to pull it. Therefore, blade size is most affected by how strong the paddler is, but is also impacted by considerations such as how techincally proficient the paddler is, how and where they generate power within their stroke, what stroke rating they're comfortable with, what discipline they paddle in, and any injuries they may have. Generally speaking, marathon, long distance, ocean racing and surf paddlers use smaller blades with bigger blade sizes used in flatwater sprint paddling. The main determining factor is how well the paddler can maintain their stroke rating and technique for the duration of their event/activity, as well as how comfortable the paddler is.

Almost all paddles sold these days are adjustable in both length and angle. Gone are the days of the fixed length shaft. Adjustable shafts give paddlers the option to fine tune both the overall length of the paddle and the angle between the blades, as well as the ability for the paddle to suit both left and right handed paddlers (anyone who's seen a right handed paddler accidently use a left handed paddle, or vice-versa, understands how useful this can be). This means getting the shaft length right when ordering isn't as critical as it used to be. Most manufacturers offer 10cm of adjustment which is huge and offers a lot of versatility to change the length of the paddle to suit the conditions (i.e. surf size, wind conditions) or type of paddling (going between flatwater and surf, team boat paddling).

As a very rough guide, a good place to start is to hold a paddle as you would when paddling then lift the paddle directly above your head. When the paddle is above your head, each of your elbows should be at 90 degrees. If your elbows are less than 90 degrees, make the paddle longer; if your elbows are greater than 90 degrees, make the paddle shorter. Once you reach 90 degrees, measure the overall length of the paddle. This should sit somewhere in the middle of the adjustment range (i.e. if the length is 212 cm, a paddle adjustable from 207 - 217 cm is a good guide).

Speak to Obsessed Paddlesports to arrange a paddle fitting to find your right paddle length.

The best analogy I can think of for shaft stiffness is the shock absorbers in your car. The stiffness of your shaft impacts how the load of the paddle is transferred to your body, mainly your shoulders, throughout your stroke. A stiffer shaft is like harder suspension; all the load of the paddle goes directly through your shoulders without any dampening. A softer shaft absorbs some of the impact which transitions the load over a longer period of time meaning a less direct impact on your body.

What does it mean to your paddling though? In short, a stiffer shaft is more efficient and transitions load faster, as well as any movements your paddle makes throughout the stroke. Generally speaking, stiffer shafts are more common with larger blade sizes and in more predictable and higher energy events, such as flatwater sprint paddling. Softer shafts are more common with smaller blade sizes and/or unpredictable environments such as flatwater marathon, surf and ocean paddling where the likelihood of less predictable strokes is higher.

Which paddle suits the olympic K1 1000 champion and a recreational paddler in multiple disciplines are very different. If you're planning on paddling in surf, doing some ocean racing events and training on the flat water in the off season, you're likely to be better off with a more all-rounder paddle. Similarly, if you want to be the olympic champion, are racing in Surf Life Saving, are an iron person, or dream of winning a national flatwater marathon title, your paddle needs are going to be different.

Also, if you're planning ahead for a major training campaign towards a certain goal, you need to find the paddle which will suit you when you reach your goal, not now (i.e. if you're about to get a lot stronger, maybe you need a bigger blade size than what is comfortable now). Speak to me to help you find the right fit.

Budget is important. There are so many options available in the market now at a lot of different price points that I can help find you a solution which meets your budget. Obsessed Paddlesports has access to a range of suppliers to help balance your needs with your budget.

Obsessed Paddlesports holds a large range of demonstrator paddles for you to try out. Trying out these paddles is the best way to find the one which works best for you. We have an assortment of shapes, sizes, shaft stiffnesses and lengths to help you find the perfect paddle to suit how you paddle. I also work with a range of manufacturers and offer second hand equipment sales to offer options to suit every budget.

During a paddle fitting session, I don't just hand you paddles to try out. I take time to learn more about you. How long have you been paddling? What type of paddling do you do? What paddles have you used in the past? Do you have any injuries? What are your paddling goals?

Armed with all this information I watch how you paddle and note the strengths and weaknesses of your technique and match your attributes and goals to a paddle to try. I then work with you to fine tune your paddle selection to make sure you're happy. If you're not sure by the end of the session, we can come to an arrangement to give you more time to try a certain paddle or to arrange a follow on session so you're as happy as you can be before you place an order.

I don't just want to sell you a paddle, I want to sell you the perfect paddle.