Low weight is, of course, a bonus but will cost a lot more money. Bent shaft paddles are much less common in the rafting world. Here is a very basic guideline to get you started and as with all paddling styles, you will fine tune your paddle length with experience. Zac offers up this advice on the topic of paddle length: Typical paddle length varies from 62"-66" with petite paddlers requiring shorter paddles and tall paddlers requiring longer paddles. Measurements depend mostly on your paddling position in the boat. Probably the most important tip is to pay special attention to … Across all budgets and styles – catarafts, paddle rafts, oar frames, whitewater, expedition and more. The Whitewater Rafting - Paddle course is for individuals interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle a raft on rivers with class II-III rapids. Subscribe today for the latest news from the whitewater world. Sawyer Pro Stick Raft Paddle. A guide steers and gives directions from the rear while 4 to 8 passengers handle a paddle. Adjustments for position should be considered. Row with arrow keys or WASD - this is working for me. A strong level of rigidity is key to achieving the maximum energy transfer in any paddle stroke. We will be covering application specific paddling recommendations in a further article. If you are looking to become a professional guide or looking to put together your personal rafting system and want to get yourself a guide paddle we recommend you look first at your height and length of arms, and if you’re a taller person (over 6 foot) go with a 64” or 65” paddle, and reserve the 66” paddles for the Amazons and Sasquatch like paddlers out there. Walk forward - W; Walk backward - S; Strafe right - D; Strafe left - A; Sprint - Left shift; Jump - Space; Swim down - Left control; Interacting. This angle, which is typically between 7 to 14 degrees, also aids the blade in entering and exiting the water smoothly. Adjust for preference and style (i.e. Using the Paddle, the player can sail the raft in whichever direction they wish. Recreational and inflatable kayaks tend to be wider than hard shell kayaks and require longer paddle lengths as well. Alternatively, take your height and add 8” for surfing length and 10” for touring. Another factor to consider when choosing general purpose raft paddles is how likely you are to lose them. If you are paddling in a paddle raft or bow paddling an oar boat you should generally select a scooped blade with a straight shaft for maximum power and effectiveness. Raft racing requires an emphasis on speed and power , thus this style of boating is best accompanied with a scooped blade on a bent shaft. 50% of the students at Talent Elementary lost their homes. There are many various methods and opinions on the best way to size your SUP paddle. As with all these guidelines, adjust for your personal preference and paddling style. What paddle should I get? Guide Paddles Guides should select either a scoped blade or a straight blade paddle with a straight shaft. Swim hard to the nearest safety point as instructed by the guide. Each particular paddling situation is different. A scooped blade offers the most effective power in your stroke when used for a forward paddle. Paddlers in the bow generally prefer a slightly shorter and paddlers in the stern, prefer a paddle that is a bit longer. And some rafts are paddle boats with no oars at all. As you get the hang of rowing and reading the water in easy sections, we work into paddle boating (where the guide is in the back of the raft steering with a single paddle and calling paddle commands to the crew) in class III and class IV whitewater. General Purpose Paddles - Weight is typically not a big factor in this equation and there tend to be a wide variety of paddle weights used in this application. The Guide has a large (8" x 27") reinforced polyethylene blade, with a rugged 1-1/4" diameter shaft and T-grip. While these paddles are great for forward strokes, they are not ideal for whitewater or other stroking styles, which require maneuverability. For stern or guide paddling positions, measure from the ground to your collar bone. The process and method of construction also differs for each type of paddle to achieve maximum power. Board [use] on the raft. This outdoor activity is not a contest about who paddles the hardest or the strongest. They also broke down some packrafting safety issues, what packrafting is all about, and why packrafting is important to him. With your hands in place, and both legs inside the raft, lift the T-grip end of the paddle until it is above your shoulder, then lower the paddle at a slight angle, breaking the water, before pushing the paddle down, back, and through. Subtract about 10cm for crank shaft paddles. Shorter paddles are recommended on the straight side tubes and a longer paddle is recommended for the rocker on the stern. First, sit on a flat surface and measure the distance from your seat to your eye level. Stand on a flat surface and raise your hand straight over your head. Choosing a whitewater kayak paddle greatly depends on the type of paddling that you will be doing. For stern or guide paddling positions, measure from the ground to your collar bone. Paddle blade shape and shaft type largely determines the ideal composition of materials. Sawyer does offer this helpful guide to paddle length as a very basic guideline to start selecting the right paddle for you. From expedition boating to helping new people coming into the rafting world Trevor puts his passion to work developing initiatives focused on wonder of rivers throughout the world. These guidelines will help provide you with the basics to get started and are based on the goal of providing you with a paddle length that will put the whole blade in the water during the power phase of your stroke while leaving your body in a comfortable paddling position. Whitewater raft guides who want Werner ’ s a quick overview of raft. Are composed of a packrafting paddle are its length and 10 ” for surfing length 10! Key to make the raft in whichever direction they wish for rafting are much different how to guide a paddle raft! Other stroking styles, which require maneuverability recommended for the latest news from the river that you receive. And paddlers in the most common paddling situations the right paddle for.. A more specialized custom fit for the overall length of the stroke providing most... 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