Your kayak paddle is arguably your most important piece of kayaking gear. Your paddle will control how comfortable you feel in your boat and how effectively you are able to use your boat. Its length will determine your balance and your speed, and its shape will determine your grace and maneuverability. Use the information below to help choose a paddle tha… read more
There are several different varieties of kayak paddles, each differing slightly depending on if it is used in the ocean, whitewater or river. All kayak paddles however, have the same three basic parts (shaft and two blades) and serve the same main purpose; propelling and steering a kayak. read more
Learning how to hold a kayak paddle properly is one of the first steps for beginning kayakers. In fact, even experienced kayakers sometimes hold the paddle incorrectly from time to time, grasping it backward or upside down. It's important to hold your kayak paddle the right way so you travel through the water safely and effectively. read more
After picking out a kayak, the next step is to get a paddle, something too many novice paddlers don't pay enough attention to. Getting the right kayak paddle involves looking at the blades and getting the right length for the application in which you'll use it. For instance, creek paddlers might prefer a slightly shorter paddle for the narrow confines of the… read more
Besides your kayak, your paddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will use in the activity of kayaking. A large consideration you will need to make is whether to kayak with your paddle feathered or unfeathered. Feathering means that the blades at each end of the paddles shaft are set at an angle (usually a right angle) to each other. Paddl… read more
Possibly the best thing about sea kayaking is, it doesn't cost much. Both the kayak and paddle can be built by hand at a fraction of the price of store-bought selections. read more
Your kayak paddle is the single most important piece of kayaking equipment you have. Using it effectively will keep you from capsizing, swamping your boat, drifting and beaching. You need to take ownership of your kayak paddle with a… read more
Three key factors must be considered when choosing the proper length for a kayak paddle: your height, the width of the kayak and your paddling style. Three more factors determine the type of paddle -- blade shape, shaft shape and compo… read more
Kayak paddle overall length is normally given in centimeters by manufacturers. Other measurements are figured by what system you're comfortable with. Three key factors go into choosing the proper length of a double-bladed kayak paddle… read more
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Three factors--your height, the width of the kayak and your paddling style--determine the best length of your paddle. Blade shape, shaft shape and composition materials vary according to the type of paddling you will do and your person… read more
Usually, a canoe is paddled by two people, each using a single-bladed paddle on either side of the canoe. Kayak paddles are double-bladed and designed to be used by a single boater on low-slung kayaks. Many canoe enthusiasts have disco… read more
The style of kayak paddle you pick should be based on a number of factors. These include your height and strength, the size of your kayak and the type of paddling you'll be doing. Whitewater paddles will need to be shorter, sturdier an… read more
If you notice a crack or damage in your wooden kayak paddle while you are at home, you have the option of purchasing a new one. However, if you are out on a kayak trip, you are less likely to find a replacement. You'll need a way to re… read more
You know you're a full-blooded kayaker the first time you hit the water with a beautiful, polished and handcrafted kayak paddle that you have made with your own hands. You may stick with your composite and titanium paddle for day-to-da… read more
Making a wooden paddle for your kayak is one of the easier ways to mark yourself as a serious kayaker. The design may be simple, but the hardest part is shaping the blade and thinning it. Patience and planning will help you make a pre… read more
The Greenland style of sea kayak paddle is long, lean and has a very narrow set of blades. Greenlandic Inuit use these to paddle their kayaks (spelled qajaq in Greenland) to hunt for walrus, seal and narwhal. The paddles themselves are… read more
A paddle set on the surface of the water while you do something else, like taking a picture or opening your day hatch, can quickly drift away. Keep your paddle close by making a kayak paddle lanyard, often called a paddle leash, to att… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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