Importance of Kayak Paddle Length
The paddle’s length when one wants to obtain this accessory to start a first time experience on a kayak is one of the most important things when it comes to choosing it. Depending on if the paddle is short or long, and the shape of the tip, comes it’s ease of use or maximum speed. When the paddle’s pole is short and the tip is not so wide and it’s reinforced with light materials, the strength required to row is lower and the kayak travels more distance with less rows but the speed it can reach and the distance it can travel in a certain time decreases.
The opposite happens when the pole is long and the shape of the paddle’s tip is longer or wider, the tip will have to force more water and the pole will be harder to handle and heavier, but the boat will travel faster and cover distance more quickly. The easier to use paddles are best for tourists and people that are beginning in the world of boat navigation, the later is more used by experienced users and in competitions such as olympic events for it’s ability to reach higher speeds.
To choose the right paddle take into consideration the body size and physical condition of the occupant. Light paddles allow beginners a more aggresive style and a variety of strokes. It puts less stress on the shoulder, left part of the torso and upper arm. The effect produced with the short length paddle is more of a soft pass through the water, like splitting it. The one produced with the longer ones is more like a sweep stroke. Also when using a long paddle, the boat loses more balance and stability, since the force and friction with the water are higher, and it zig-zags more.