CWTA - Resources - Canoe Basics - Types Of Canoe Paddles

Connecticut Water Trails Association

Table Of Contents

Connecticut Water Trails

Basic Concepts

Paddling Resources

Canoeing

How To Choose A Canoe Paddle

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Canoe Basics

Canoe Paddles - Types Of Canoe Paddles

Types Of Canoe Paddles - Based On Materials

Wood - Preferred by most canoeists, it has a beautiful appearance and a pleasant feel. Wood retains the warmth of your hands in cool weather and transmits the feel of the water well, helping you achieve a smooth stroke. Wood requires some maintenance. Many manufacturers increase the durability of wood paddles with tip guards - pieces of composite plastic or fiberglass built into the tips. Some also overlay their wooden paddles with fiberglass of Kevlar on the blade surface.

Fiberglass - Often found in the shaft and blades of more expensive paddles, it allows manufacturers to vary flexibility and performance to match intended end uses. Its durability makes fiberglass a fine choice for whitewater canoeing paddles. The weight of fiberglass paddles varies greatly, with the lighter ones being more expensive and the heavier, entry-level paddles being more affordable.

Polyethlyene / Aluminum - typically found in entry-level paddles, which have a polyethylene plastic blade attached to an aluminum shaft that has a plastic T-grip. These paddles are a durable choice for beginning paddlers and an affordable option as a spare paddle. The aluminum shaft is usually quite stiff, and the plastic blades flex a bit, which makes these paddles less comfortable to use for long periods of time. The aluminum shafts can also get cold, so most are covered with vinyl or foam where your lower hand grasps them.

Plastic - Made of polypropylene, polyethylene, or nylon, plastic paddles are durable and very low-maintenance, though heavier than fiber composites. Plastic blades with aluminum shafts make tough, inexpensive spares for touring.

Types Of Canoe Paddles According To The Shaft

Straight - This traditional style is great for all types of paddling conditions. On rivers, most paddlers use straight-shaft paddles because they can be used for a variety of maneuvering strokes.

Bent - Best used for flatwater paddling or cruising, these paddles feature a bend in the shaft that helps position it for maximum efficiency. The bend orients the paddle blade roughly vertical in the water at the strongest part of your stroke. It also helps the paddle enter and exit the water smoothly. Most bent shafts have a 14-degree bend. Some paddlers prefer a paddle with less bend, sacrificing some efficiency for the ability to perform a greater variety of strokes. Paddles with even a slight bend will still be more efficient than a straight-shaft paddle on flatwater.

Types Of Canoe Paddles According To Grip

Palm - This teardrop or pear-shaped grip fits comfortably into the palm of your hand. It gives you good control and is easy to use for hours.

T-Grip - Gives the most control over the angle of your paddle blade, making it a good choice for whitewater. This grip is also easy to hang onto in rough conditions, and easy for small hands to grasp.

Types Of Canoe Paddles According To Purpose

Recreational

Recreational canoe paddles are used for general and casual paddling.
They are usually made of aluminum, plastic, or cheaper wood varieties.
Most quality recreational paddles are made of laminated softwood, which are light and durable.
They also have an aesthetic appeal, and are often hung on walls as decoration.
The blades can have rounded or squared off edges.

Lakewater

Lake water Canoe Paddles are used for paddling in lakes and are designed for continuous smooth strokes.
They usually have long, narrow blades suitable for paddling over deep, flat waters.
Most models are made of hardwood, although this is mainly for aesthetic purposes.
Commonly used woods are cherry, ash, walnut, maple, mahogany, and poplar.
They can be made from single slabs of wood or laminated from several pieces.

Whitewater

Whitewater Canoe Paddles have short blades with straight tips.
They have shorter blades and longer shafts compared to lake water paddles.
They are also fitted with larger T-shaped grips.
They are designed for the quick, powerful strokes necessary for shallow, aerated whitewater.
They are usually made of much tougher materials, such as wood, fiberglass, and carbon.
This is to give them more protection against rocks and rough waters.
The blades are big and wide, and are either flat or spooned, for pulling large amounts of water.

Performance

Performance Canoe Paddles are used for racing or fitness paddling.
They are designed for speed and are much lighter than other paddle types.
They are usually made of composite materials such as carbon fiber or Kevlar, which provides durability without adding to the weight.
The shafts are usually slightly bent forward to keep them vertical during extremely powerful strokes.

Types According To Blade Shape

These blade shapes apply mostly to wooden paddles.

Western Cree

Western Cree paddles have straight-sided blades with slightly rounded edges and rounded grips. They are the simplest type of paddle blades and are used for general-purpose canoeing.

Northwest Voyageur

Voyageur blades are narrower than the Western Cree, with less rounded tips and flared grips. They are normally used for lake water paddles and produce smooth, straight strokes.

Beothuk

Beothuk blades are teardrop-shaped, with very rounded sides and sharp tips. They also have slimmer handles and larger round grips.

Beavertail

Ottertail

Ottertail blades are longer and narrower than other types. They have slightly tapered sides, square tips, and wide, rounded grips. They are also preferred for lakewater paddling.

Ashwing

Ashwing paddles have slightly rounded sides and squared-off tips. They are shaped much like the Western Cree, except for a flatter and wider grip.

Micmac

Tetes

Ojibway

Passamaquoddy

Sugar Island

Penobscot