Selecting a paddle for kayak touring...

[ssk44]

Ok, you have finally decided your going for it. Your jumping head first into kayaking. You're at REI and pretty much overwhelmed by all of the equipment to choose from. You got I real nice touring kayak picked out. You got an elaborate rack decided on for you car/truck. The realization has just kicked in on how expensive all this stuff really is. Between the boat and the rack your now up to about $1,200-$1,500. It seems like your forgetting something. The paddle!!

For some unfortunate reason, this is where everything falls apart for most beginners. The overall expense is so high that invariably many people will cut corners on the paddle and buy the cheapest one in the store. This is the last place you want to cut corners on. Spending $700+ on a kayak and than buying a $55 paddle is like buying a high performance sports car and putting truck tires on it. I just doesn't make any sense. The main significant difference between a cheep paddle and an expensive paddle is the weight. A cheep paddle typically weighs around 43oz +/- and will have ABS plastic blades and an aluminum shaft. A high-end paddle will weigh around 27oz +/- and will have fiberglass blades and a fiberglass shaft. That is a difference of around 1 pound. That 1 pound will feel like about 5 pounds at the end of the day. If you plan on really getting into kayak touring, it is imperative that you buy a lightweight paddle. A lightweight paddle is probably the most important item you will ever buy if you are going out on 7 to 12 mile day tours. To test what I am telling you, take a 2-3 pound weight and hold it straight out in front of you, just level with your shoulders, for about 2 minutes.

So what's the moral of this story? Don't buy a cheep paddle to go with a high-end kayak. No madder how tempting it is, don't do it. I promise that you will regret it latter. The most highly acclaimed touring paddle currently in existence is a fiberglass Werner "Camano". This paddle will set you back about $250. As expensive as that sounds, there is a carbon fiber version that costs around $330.

[Sredfield]

Why, are you heading up "that" creek?

[ssk44]

Ha, Ha...

[Hoffmaster]

Ha, Ha...

No, seriously... What was the reason for writing the dissertation on buying a paddle for kayaking? I think that was what Sredfield was getting at. I'm curious too. It is helpful info; it just seems out-of-the-blue and unsolicited; that's all.

[ssk44]

My intent for this subject was only for the purposes of giving newcomers into the sport of kayaking some helpful information. I have a passion for kayaking and thought the kayaking section of the forum could use informative topics. Are serious topics not allowed in the forum?

[mttgilbert]

I don't think that's what Matt or Sredfield were saying. I think they were just commenting on the fact that most posts revolve around questions or updates to commonly addressed subjects and your post contained neither. Serious posts are, of course, welcomed. You may consider expounding on the topic a little further and submitting it as an article.

[big_load]

Whatever fancy paddle you chose, I strongly suggest also getting a beater, something that can take scratches and abrasion without brining tears to your eyes.

[Hoffmaster]

No doubt about it, your info is helpful. I was just wondering why you wrote it. I guess I wasn't paying attention to the fact that we have a "kayaking" section on this site. I didn't mean any disrespect to you.

I'm moving to Ohio in about 10 days. I am going to be surrounded by rivers and lakes. A kayak is on the agenda, so I'm sure I will refer to your info.

[djui5]

Wow, I got a Kayak recently. The guy who gave it to me let me borrow his nice paddles, then after a couple of weeks gave me the one's that came with the Kayak (Coleman). Holy hell what a difference. The paddles that came with it are really really heavy and don't scoop the water well. It takes about 3x the effort as the nice ones I was borrowing. I really gotta get a good set one of these days, this is killing me, and I'm just using it for fishing

[Sredfield]

Does anyone know of any one or two day kayaking lessons? I'd like to get a taste of it but don't have the time for a many - day course.

[ssk44]

Wow, I got a Kayak recently. The guy who gave it to me let me borrow his nice paddles, then after a couple of weeks gave me the one's that came with the Kayak (Coleman). Holy hell what a difference. The paddles that came with it are really really heavy and don't scoop the water well. It takes about 3x the effort as the nice ones I was borrowing. I really gotta get a good set one of these days, this is killing me, and I'm just using it for fishing

It seems like all of my preferred fishing location on any given lake are about 4 miles from my truck... Spend one day on Roosevelt! There are two very helpful upper body shoulder exercises that I do throughout the year that really keep me in shape for when I do go out. I don't go out enough to stay fit just from kayaking itself. It's the same principal of using a treadmill throughout the year between hiking trips.

[azbackpackr]

I am going through my own sort of kayaking hell lately. I have a whitewater kayak, an old Perception Dancer circa 1990, and by the way I got my kayak the way I get a lot of stuff--it was free. However, it is a good brand of kayak. I have NO INTEREST in lake kayaking--none, zero, zilch!! I am only interested in river kayaking. I think lake kayaking would get boring real quick, just as lake canoeing does--I have been there, done that. The only exception I would make to that is I would enjoy multi-day sea kayaking on an extremely large lake, or ocean kayaking. I would also like to learn surf kayaking. Of course, I know that as a newbie I may need to practice on lakes at first.

Ok, so I am trying to sign up for a kayaking class which is offered at Arizona Western College in Yuma. (I say "trying" to sign up because they don't seem to have an online way to do it due to the fact that Arizonans, excluding myself, all voted for that dumb citizenship law, which only makes it harder for citizens to do anything and probably wouldn't stop an illegal alien. I keep trying to get them to let me fax my ID to them, but they aren't very organized.) This class is Nov. 21-23. I have talked to the instructor and she says that all the kayaks they use are sit-on-tops. She is from NC originally and she says she has no idea why Arizonans seem to be so in love with sit-on-tops, she doesn't like them herself, but that is what she has available from Yuma Parks and Rec to teach with. However she is willing to teach me the Eskimo Roll and other techniques I need to get started with my boat. I am going to take her sit-on-top class because I am sure I can pick up some info that way, too. I just ordered a sprayskirt and PFD (lifejacket) from NRS. NRS (Northwest River Supply) in Moscow, Idaho, is where you should order boating stuff from because that is what they specialize in, and their employees are all ACTUAL BOATMEN and can answer all your questions if you call or email them!

I have tried and tried to find a current instructor in the Valley. No responses to email addresses I've been given. Nancy "Kanu" Wright, who owned Canyons and Coastlines, is pretty much out of the business now although she will teach you if you want to pay her a lot and IF you have a big pool. So I'm hoping that this Yuma gig will work for me. I will be in Yuma all winter starting in November.

I would like to organize a river trip from Blyth, CA to Imperial Dam, which is a distance of over 100 miles--several camps can be made and there are some interesting side hikes along the route. This river trip would be suitable for newbies like myself because there are no real rapids. You can do it in a canoe, also. I will post that here later.

As for paddles, I can sure see what ssk44 was trying to get at. However, some of us just have to start with what we have available. I will try to get a better paddle later. My son bought me the one I have for Christmas, and I'm sure it cost less than $100.

One thing I know about paddles--if you are going to do whitewater and do the roll in a traditional kayak, the blades on the paddle need to be offset from one another, not at the same angle. That much I can tell you.

[ssk44]

I think lake kayaking would get boring real quick, just as lake canoeing does--I have been there, done that.

Kayak touring on lakes is not about excitement. There is something about kayaking that cleanses the sole. Skimming across a calm lake only inches above the water with the only audible sound being your paddle entering and exiting the water does something to a person. For some reason, fish and wildlife have very little fear if any towards someone in a kayak. There was one trip where I was litterally only twenty feet away from a beautiful bald eagle that had no concern towards my presence. On trips to Carnero Lake in the White Mountains you can experience falcons diving for trout right next to your boat. On one trip I watched a coyote for about thirty minutes going back and forth on the shore peeking in and out of bushes at me while he was hunting mice. If you lift your paddle and slowly glide along a clear water shoreline you will notice that bass will literally just sit there without any fear. In contrast do we only hike for excitement or some sort of quick adrenaline rush? I hike because I have a true love and passion for the outdoors. Being in the outdoors is about connecting with Gods creation. Slow down and truly experience the beauty of where you are. It's a special experience that is to be treasured.

[ssk44]

However she is willing to teach me the Eskimo Roll and other techniques I need to get started with my boat.

My views on learning to roll...
Everyone is obsessed about knowing how to do a roll in a kayak. Doing a roll is one of the most advanced techniques you can learn. You need to learn to crawl before you can walk. There are only two types of kayaks that require learning how to roll. These boats are white water kayaks and sea kayaks, and all of which are advanced kayaks that beginners have no business starting out in. The average expedition sea kayak feel like trying to balance on a smooth log when sitting stationary, however that limited stability while sitting stationary, equates to rock solid performance and security while under way in dangerous conditions that are typically found in the ocean. Hence the name "sea" kayak. Most beginners will usually start out in a "recreation kayak" or a "day touring kayak". Recreational kayaks typically have the stability level of a barge. Even a performance day touring boat is difficult to tip over in. Sea kayaks and white water kayaks have a very snug and fitted cockpit with thigh and hip bolsters to hold you in place. If you attempt to do a roll in a recreational or day touring boat you will most likely fall out and fill the boat with water. A boat with a loose cockpit will not hold you in place during a roll even with a skirt. Learning to roll is most important for winter paddling when the water is to cold for a human body to endure prolonged exposure. If you do you kayaking in the late spring or summer, learning to roll is last thing you need to learn. If for some reason the thing tips over, stay calm and enjoy cool water because you're probably sweating anyways. Most kayaks have either flotation inserts or sealed bulkheads so it's not going to sink. Just relax, pull the boat to shore, bail it out and keep going. Many people are unfortunately completely paranoid to get into kayaking because of the brainwashing about having to immediately learn to roll. This is a highly exaggerated misconception. I might be predgidous, but the best kayaks you can buy that bridge an amazing balance between sufficient beginner stability and great performance for experienced paddlers is the "Pungo" line from Wilderness Systems.

[azbackpackr]

I can see your points, but, as I mentioned, the kayak I have is a whitewater model. I grew up at the beach and am a very good swimmer and body surfer, and am comfortable in the water and being tossed under big waves, so I am not really afraid of the roll, just need someone to teach it to me. I have heard it can be pretty easy to learn if you have someone with you who really knows how to teach it, but that it does take quite a bit of practice. I have been whitewater rafting several times on the Salt, and have seen lots of kayakers out there, and have seen and talked to lots of kayakers in the Grand Canyon and asked them how to learn, how long it takes to get good enough to run the Canyon, etc. They were always very encouraging. In somewhere like Oregon we wouldn't need to be having this conversation at all because classes are offered everywhere and lots of people have familiarity with it. I once saw a Willamette Community College schedule of classes book, and there were pages and pages of kayaking and canoeing classes! (Most of the kayakers I have met in the Canyon were from the Northwest.)

I have canoed on Carnero Lake! It's about a half hour from my front door. Great place to camp, too. But the aluminum canoe was noisy with the small waves slapping against it, whereas I'll bet your kayak is much quieter. I sold the canoe, though. (By the way, Carnero Lake was the location for the 1998 "Rainbow Festival." The locals still haven't stopped talking about the 20,000 hippies that arrived and overran the area! I wasn't living up here then, though.)

As for me, I enjoy travel, usually but not always having a destination, going on a journey, seeing what's around the next bend in the trail or river. The idea of multi-day river trips is what I am aiming for with this kayaking thing. My husband likes to creep around in the woods and see wildlife. I like that, too, but what I really long for are long backpacking journeys and river journeys. I see lots of wildlife when I'm out there in the woods, anyway, because I'm usually by myself (or with quiet hubby.)

[ssk44]

(By the way, Carnero Lake was the location for the 1998 "Rainbow Festival." The locals still haven't stopped talking about the 20,000 hippies that arrived and overran the area! I wasn't living up here then, though.)

I unfortunately remember that tragic event. I grew up in Pinetop and have friend up there to this day. What happened at Carnero Lake was nothing short of a crime scene. Absolute destruction of public land! To think that this Rainbow Group considers themselves gentle, nature loving people is a sick joke. To this day national forest representatives throughout the country cringe if they here a rumor that they might be considering having there abusive event in there forest.

[azbackpackr]

I believe there were actually two of those events held in the White Mtns. The other one was somewhere near Alpine, and I think was in the 80's. I hadn't heard about the area's destruction, but one can certainly imagine. My boss's husband was a forest ranger who worked many of those events as ranger/law enforcement. I will ask him about it sometime. The locals always talked about the ones who came to town--they would take their clothes off and bathe where there was a hose, and urinate in the Safeway parking lot, etc, and a lot of them were very drunk. The locals also kid around and gossip about who they knew (amongst good Mormons and Catholics) whose curiosity about it got the better of them and they drove up to Carnero to take a peek. For most of them, never having seen a lot of public nudity, it must have been quite shocking for them.