One thing I’ve noticed is that most kayakers spend more time picking their kayak than picking their paddle. And the wrong paddle can impact your kayak adventure in Door County more than you might think.
For years, in my kayak talks and articles, I have suggested that people buy the lightest, most expensive paddle they can afford. Lighter paddles are less fatiguing, meaning you can enjoy your time on the water longer and feel less tired at the end of the day. More expensive paddles use better materials and will often last longer. I would suggest finding a paddle that weighs no more than 31 or 32 ounces. Personally, I prefer a paddle that weighs less than 30 ounces. Ideally, when you are kayaking, you should be enjoying all the beauty Door County has to offer, not thinking about your tired shoulders and arms from a heavy paddle.
For lighter recreational and touring sit-in kayaks, a standard-sized blade is what you will be looking for. For heavier sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks, most paddlers choose a paddle with oversized blades. These have a bigger bite to help propel the heavier SOT kayaks.
For my heavier fishing kayaks, I use the Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon and Angler Pro with the Versa-Lok feature, which gives you a 15-centimeter range to adjust the length for varying conditions. At a lower price point, but still high quality and lightweight, take a look at the Aqua-Bound Manta Ray and Manta Ray Hybrid.
Picking the proper paddle length is also very important, and there are online charts that can help. The correct paddle length is determined by a combination of your height and the width of your kayak. Most recreational and touring kayaks are narrower and require a shorter paddle. Most SOT kayaks, in addition to being heavier, are also wider and usually require a longer paddle.
Times are challenging, and for many people, the price of products is a major consideration. Your kayak and paddle are likely to last for many years, so any investment you make can be a worthwhile one.
If you have any questions related to kayaking, I’d be happy to answer them. Just email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com.
As noted in past articles, if you would like a PDF of my Kayaking & Kayak Fishing Door County presentation, I’d be happy to email it to you. Along with other useful information, it highlights many of the best places to launch your kayak.
