Best paddle?

What is a good paddle to buy? My paddle I ordered online got sent to me 20cm shorter than I ordered and its like paddling with spoons.

I love the swift paddle

http://www.kayaklakemead.com/swift-paddles-store.html

we've got matching paddles!

Paul and Mooch, which model Swifts do y'all have? I was thinking of getting one of the sea swifts (the big one).

And what size?  How do you all select an appropriate size?

-Allen

the longer you are from water to shoulders and the wider the kayak, the longer the paddle.
since you are an extra-large dude and you are paddling a triple, they probably don't even make
a paddle long enough for you.


granite dive, if I got a swift I would go with the small blade. you can still get up to top kayak speed,
the only thing you sacrifice is the time it takes to get up to top speed and you get some benefits
from smaller blades like slow speed manuevers are easier, the blade does not catch wind and chop.

j

Ahhh ... perhaps I should clarify.  I do know the width that works for ME.  It's more of a general question for my girlfriend.  I know she probably doesn't have the patience to try a bunch of different paddles, rather she'll just ask me to get her the "right one", whatever that is, hence the question.  She does know she wants a lighter paddle as she tried mine once which is way lighter that the cheap loaner I have from a buddy.

I paddle with a Werner Kauai 230 that I've been carrying back and forth between Seattle and San Jose.  I've tried 240's and they feel too long.  I've been considering getting a Werner Corryvrecken for myself for Seattle.  It's a bigger paddle blade than the Kauai.  I've heard all about the fatigue factor when using larger faced paddles, but I think I can handle it.

-Allen

Paul and Mooch, which model Swifts do y'all have? I was thinking of getting one of the sea swifts (the big one).

Rich, I use the mid-swift  240

The Mid Swift delivers plenty of juice for rough water conditions, yet is quite well behaved when the wind pounds on it.  An ideal paddle for extended paddling in varied and changeable conditions.  AVG. Wt: 29.4 OZ

When I was trying to find the right paddle, I learned a few basic guidelines about sizing:
-  Shorter paddles are usually less than 220cm
-  Longer paddles are usually over 230cm

- The wider the kayak the longer the paddle
-  Low, casual (touring) paddling style require a longer shafts/narrower blades
-  High, aggressive (competition/performance) paddling style requires shorter shafts/wider blades
-  For maximum efficiency, choose the shortest paddle the fits your paddling style

Bottom-line.... demo as many different paddles as you can to find out what works for you.  I originally thought the best paddle for me was a more common 230cm w/ medium width blade.  But to my surprise, a shorter 215cm paddle with a wider winged-blade felt much more natural to me.  I have an unusually high (and very wet) paddling style.

hey mickfish

I'm not insecure about my masculinity but don't get any funny ideas

besides, I'm not into ff's

Hey Blue....that's too bad....we would have made a perfect couple = we both like fishing for salmon    And...please don't judge me by my FF  I happen to be a really nice guy  ....just ask comrad Bill 

The Werner paddle site has a guided thing that tells you what paddle to get depending on your size, boat and preferences. 

Pat

Thanks for that info Pat.  It says I should get a Shuna 215 for the girlfriend.  It also says I should get a 220 for myself (not very tuned to MY needs).

Pat, what size do you paddle with?

-Allen

bluekayak, i wasn't even thinking about the ergo grip paddles.  I've never had a problem with the straight shaft.  But now that you mention it ... will it help me to paddle for the next 30 years?

And yes, height is a big factor in paddle length, but so is paddling style, and width of boat ... at least those of the factors used on the werner site.  However, I took a look at a couple of other "sizing" suggestion sites.  Almost all think a wide kayak is in the 22" range, which suggests SIK to me and it seems they all want me to paddle a 220.  The SOT are more in the 28-32" range.

-Allen

Allen - you're taller than me and your kayak is a little wider than mine as well - try a 240.

FYI: you can test some paddles out at the REI Paddle Demo Days on the 29th at Shoreline Park / Mountain View. Werner will be there.

Thanks Mooch.

But you guys are missing my point.  I know what paddle is best for ME.  Or at least I have a really good idea.  I'm perfectly happy with a 230 medium blade.  But I do want to spend some time paddling with a large blade, so I'll get one of those for Seattle.  I've tried a 240 a couple times and find it too long.

But I need to get a new paddle for the girlfriend.  And she probably won't take the time to test paddle different paddles.

-Allen