Select Kayak

Choosing your Paddle

Several parameters must be taken into account when choosing the appropriate model of paddle which will make your trip a special moment. A good paddle must let itself be forgotten. It cannot, at anytime, create the least discomfort, either for the experienced paddler or for the occasional user. But it is hard for a paddle to let itself be forgotten by the beginner who has not acquired the smooth and relaxed movements yet. After a few trips, a good paddle corrects inaccurate movements and everything goes back to normal!

This document is available as a pdf download

First parameter : boat's width.

You must know the width of your boat. This measure is important as it is essential to determine the length of your paddle!
There is a multitude of kayaks on the market, but it is nevertheless easy to determine three sizes:

• small : from 48 to 55 cm
• medium : from 57 to 63cm
• large : from 65 cm on
  
  

Caution
Values in the choice table (below) are for medium boat (width from 57 to 63cm). Reduce length by 5 cm for a'Small' boat (width from 48 to 55cm) or increase length by 5cm if your boat is large (over 65 cm).

Second Parameter : your size.

Your height is also determining for the length of your paddle.
If you are between 155 and 165-cm tall, you will have a shorter paddle than someone who’s height is between 175 and 185 cm, and if your height is over 190 cm, you will need an even longer paddle!
And this is true regardless of the type of boat you are using.

The Vario S Lock Select offers 10cm setting.

Third parameter : Your style of paddle stroke

2 differents styles :

• “Hi angle”> A vertical paddle stroke :
  The paddle stroke is much more vertical, the paddle is close to the boat’s bottom, the directional stability is good. It is a dynamic paddle stroke, rates of striking are high, the search for brace is important, power is the goal to reach in order to do fast maneuvers, some physical conditioning or to maneuver in difficult conditions. It is the European style, which is taught in many paddle sport schools!
  
  
• “Low angle”> A more horizontal paddle stroke :
  The catch is softer and rates of striking are lower.
  The movement of the paddle is rounder, directional stability on boats with no fin nor rudder is not as good. It is less tiring for muscles and joints during long trips. It is also very good for backaches! The LOW ANGLE style comes from North America.

Fourth Parameter : Size of the blades

It depends on the paddler’s level of experience and of its physical condition :

• Large : for those who are powerful and in a good physical condition.
• Medium : is the most representative size, the most polyvalent one.

You can compare this to a bicycle bracket : a Large paddle takes in much more water and the rate of striking will be lower and will ask for more power. With a Medium paddle, the rate of striking can increase without needing to develop a strong power.

Fifth Parameter : The crossing angle of the blades

What is its purpose?
We owe this crossing angle to the athletes who practice kayak races in lane: they noticed that blades forming a 90° angle with one another offered much less aerodynamic resistance on the aerial blade. This advantage was even more pronounced with a headwind with which a significant part of the energy of the paddle stroke was lost in pushing some air, not to mention the decrease of the rate of striking build-up due to this resistance!
After decades of 90° crossings, angles were decreased to

• 60° on most of the touring paddles
• 55° in lane race
• and 45° in whitewater paddles

The decrease of the angle enabled a more comfortable paddle stroke. The 30° and 45° reductions helped limit the movement of the wrist (mostly the right one) responsible for pivoting

Left or right crossing?
90 % of people do right crossings!!
For LEFT crossings, don’t panic, we make these paddles on demand!

Le Vario S-LOCK Select also offers the possibility of adjusting crossing angles.

Sixth paremeter : Grip or not!

Gripping can be made directly on the tube or by adding a removable part. We chose to index the SELECT paddles for those who want with removable ERGODRIVE that can be positioned very accurately according to the hands position!
The indexer or GRIP is not in any way compulsory but it brings additional comfort to the hand which controls the crossing, generally, the right hand.
It also constitutes a plus in difficult conditions (Eskimo roll, sailing in a strong current, etc.) where it is difficult to know how the hand is located relative to the blade.

Seventh parameter : STRAIGHT shaft or ERGONOMIC shaft?

Straight shaft is the shaft that is used most often as the hand positioning is free on its whole length.
Ergo shaft : This type of shaft enables the paddler to keep the alignment of his arm with his hand.
The effect of this is less joint stress on the wrist and much more contact surface with the shaft. It is a comfortable hold and we recommend this type of shaft on TOURING paddles for experienced paddlers who perfectly master their hand placement as the small ergonomic area imposes a very precise positioning.
On WHITE WATER paddles, which are regularly under 2 meters, the hand positioning is done more out of instinct and this is where the ergo shaft can bring a comfort in use from the very first use.

Eighth parameter : Fixed or adjustable paddle length?

Some purists only swear by fixed paddles. We used to be like this too, before we started to develop our own adjustable shafts! Most of the existing systems are, as far as we are concerned, not very reliable in the rotation blocks and, moreover, the flexion of the shaft is impaired by double collars! From this fact, we developed our own adjusting system and we designed adjustable tubes with constant flexion!

The Select VARIO S-LOCK was born : offering an adjustment of 10 cm.. Infinite possibility of crossing angle, resistance to sand and corrosion, and great reliability of clamping, to such an extent that we can use it on a WHITE WATER paddle! The VARIO S-LOCK is approved by world champions for its reliability and its advantages: transport, settings, dismantling.
There is no good reason not to have an adjustable Select paddle!

Ninth Parameter : Your Program.

Last parameter but not least : your program choice : you have already answered this question buying your kayak or canoe.

3 kayak programs :

• Touring ;
• White Water;
• Race.

Three tables were established following sailing programs.
These tables are quite precise in their recommandations. You can thus use them with confidence to choose your paddle.

Choosing a 'Touring' Paddles Hi-Angle - Medium

Values in the below table are for medium boat (width from 57 to 63 cm). Reduce length by 5 cm for a'Small' boat (width from 48 to 55 cm) or increase length by 5cm if your boat is large (over 65 cm).[

Touring Paddles - Hi Angle

User Height	Paddle Length		Large Blades	Medium Blades
	Fixed Shaft	Vario S Lock
152 / 160	205	200/210	Cross Over V12 Large V4 Large	V12 Medium V4 Medium
162 / 170	210	205/215
172 / 180	215	210 / 220
182 / 190	220	215/225
192 / 200	225	220/230	Cross Over V12 Large	V12 Medium

Choosing a 'Touring' Low-Angle - Medium

Values in the below table are for medium boat (width from 57 to 63 cm). Reduce length by 5 cm for a'Small' boat (width from 48 to 55 cm) or increase length by 5cm if your boat is large (over 65 cm).

Touring Paddles - Low Angle

Taille Utilisateur	Paddle Length		Large Blades	Medium Blades
	Fixed Shaft	Vario S Lock
152 / 160	210	205/215	Sea Cruiser L V8 Large V4 Large	Sea Cruiser M V8 Medium V4 Medium
162 / 170	215	210/220
172 / 180	220	215 / 225
182 / 190	225	220/230	Sea Cruiser L V8 Large	Sea Cruiser M V8 Medium
192 / 200	235	230/240

Choosing a 'white water' paddle

The size of the PADDLE depends a lot on the type of boat that is used. The volume should be taken into account: a short PADDLE will be interesting for the beginner and the Rodeo (hard to do figures with a bulky paddle); a longer PADDLE will yield more power in difficult rivers where maneuvers must be very precise.This table is intended for help only and not as something to impose. It only reflects the global trend!
Important note for small volume boats: please consider the first recommended value in RED.

White Water Paddles

Taille Utilisateur	Paddle Length			Large Blades	Medium Blades
	Fixed Shaft	Vario S Lock	Vario S Lock Ergo
152 / 160	185 / 194	188 / 198	188 / 191	Blast WW1 Large	W2 WW2 Medium
162 / 170	188 / 197	191 / 201	191 / 194
172 / 180	191 / 201	191 / 201	194 / 197
182 / 190	194 / 204	194 / 204	197 / 200
192 / 200	197 / 204	194 / 204	197 / 200

Choosing a 'Canoe' paddle

Here is a simple way of determining the length of a canoe paddle: Sit down on a chair or on the floor, then measure the distance between your eyes and the seating. This measure will help you choose your paddle in the following table. Important: this is only a way of validating an approach. The best way of choosing a paddle, as far as possible, is to try it out!

Canoe

Recorded Measure	Paddle Length		Large Blades	Medium Blades
	Fixed Shaft	Vario S Lock
66 / 67	130	-	C1 Large	C1 Medium C1 R
71 / 72	135 - 140	-
76 / 77	140 / 145	140 / 150
81 / 82	145 - 150	145 / 155
85 / 86	150 - 155	150 / 160
90 / 91	160	155 / 165
95 / 97	165	155 / 165