Guide to Touring Paddles

The Kayaking Journal has written up a good guide to picking the touring paddle that is right for you. I need a new paddle and will studying this carefully before I buy anything.

"To strike a balance between weight, durability, and price, most premium paddles are made of fiberglass and epoxy resins. Carbon fiber construction reduces swing weight and increases performance. A 12-15% reduction in weight multiplied by thousands of strokes equals a significant decrease in fatigue and strain. If your outings are more than a couple of hours long, consider investing in carbon."

 (Submitted by Noel Mon Aug 8, 2005 )