Whitewater Kayak Paddles

Now and then I build a whitewater kayak paddle. I've taken to the Jimi Snyder style of paddles. The the whitewater paddles that I have built the past few years have all been of the small tulip shaped symmetrical blades in either a standard tulip or squirt cut-away configuration.

That standard blade size is about 91 sq inches and I can easily vary that up or down, several have been approximately 95 Sq inches, just by adding a 1/8” perimeter to the 91” size . The standard blade offset is 45 degrees.

Construction is to order, the shaft is normally a hollow core combination of pine and ash. The blades can either be made from black willow or cedar. The willow is tougher and the cedar lighter, it is your choice. The standard blade edging is dynel with a 30 (3/8”)layer dynel tip. Blade reinforcing can be either 2 oz fiberglass or 4 oz S-glass. The S-glass is much more durable, but the fiberglass seems to be sufficient for most people.

Weights for a typical 194 length have been around 34 oz.

Price $300 +shipping of $35

I still have the patterns around for both a symmetrical 7-3/4”x17” spoon blade and asymmetric of similar size if that is what you are looking for. Weights are heavier, I could never get them below about 38 oz.