Blade Anatomy
The following is an OPINION-
Choosing a blade shape that compliments your paddling style and performs for you can be very difficult. Understanding blade anatomy can be very useful in determining the right shape for you.
ROUND IS BETTER- Most of the instability of a paddle stroke is caused by the unequal low pressure areas caused by the blade during the stroke. Water cavitations increases as it flows past flat spots and sharp radiuses initiating unequal low pressure areas causing unnecessary instability. Round shapes with a round tip shape dissipate unequal low pressure areas better then blocky shapes with a square tip shape.
LENGTH AND WIDTH BLADES- Length and width of a blade shape control where the power is located. Long narrow shapes keep most of the purchase close to the shaft and have a softer feel. Long narrow shapes have a soft entry and exit with purchase in the middle of the paddle stroke. Short wide shapes have a solid feel- all purchase all the time- Large surface area at the end of a lever.
OVERALL LENGTH- The shape of the blade and your body type determine the overall length of a paddle. A paddle with all the surface area at the tip can be shorter then a paddle that has to move surface area around to compensate for tip shape.
WIDE TIP SHAPE- Wide tip shapes offer great stability and have a solid feel with ample purchase. Allows the overall paddle length to be shorter. drawback- all that surface area at the end of a lever.
MEDIUM TIP SHAPE- A medium width tip shapes offer good stability and good purchase. drawback- does not have the solid feel of a wider shape and is not as fast as a narrow tip shape.
NARROW TIP SHAPE- Narrow width tip shapes have a softer feel and are capable of a very fast stroke rate. drawback- small amount of surface area at the tip force the shape to get purchase from somewhere else.
UPWARD TILTED BLADES- Most of the power comes from a place that has more surface area on the top of the shape then on the bottom with any imbalance corrected with tip shape. Perform best with an upright aggressive paddling stoke. drawback- can be hard on the joints and being able to feather the stroke is required.
DOWNWARD TILTED SHAPES- "relaxed paddle stroke" Most of the purchase comes from a place that has more surface area on the bottom of the shape then on the top with any imbalance corrected with tip shape. Allows the paddler to drop the shaft height during a stroke from eye level to chest level without compromising performance. drawbacks- can be exposed to deeper and sometimes more powerful currents so, care should be exercised.
SYMMETRICAL
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Paddle pictured to the left. A classic shape that does not have a
designated top or bottom. drawback- A naturally unstable design when you
consider the mechanics of a paddle stroke from the seated position in a
kayak. Canoe paddles are the exception due to the vertical mechanics of
a paddle stroke in a canoe.
ASSYMETRCAL- Paddle pictured to the left is an example of adjusting the
shape to match the mechanics of a paddle stroke. drawback-the shape has a
designated top and bottom with a completely different feel if the paddle
is tipped over.
Anderson Oars and Paddles
P.O. Box 7006
Brookings OR, 97415
541-469-0652