The chart below can be used as a general starting point, but experience and personal preference will ultimately determine your optimum paddle length. As with all these guidelines, adjust for your personal preference and paddling style. Subscribe today for the latest news from the whitewater world. This should be a good starting point for the overall length of your canoe paddle. Thank you for your support! Choosing a whitewater kayak paddle greatly depends on the type of paddling that you will be doing. Twitter. It is safe to assume that in tough technical whitewater a straight blade is best since finesse is key. The Sawyer Factory is operating as normal after the wildfires and during the pandemic. Once you have paddled a bit you will be able to fine tune your paddle size. A beginners guide to Raft, including basic gameplay, finding resources and how to stay alive.... Login Store ... To move the raft, at least one person needs to paddle (unless you have a sail). This will depend upon the river that you are running and the type of paddling you most often are engaged in. Subscribe today for some amazing stories and content from our expedition team or find an outfitter for your next adventure. This angle, which is typically between 7 to 14 degrees, also aids the blade in entering and exiting the water smoothly. If you are a long time paddler that boats on may river around the world you may end up with a quiver of paddles to choose from for each situation. The main function for the paddle is dislodging the raft or reaching the edge of an island if the wind doesn't allow a direct path with the Sail . Measure the distance from floor to the bend in your wrist. The simple, symmetrical blade design offers predictable, versatile strokes to keep your guests on the line and out of trouble. 404 2nd Avenue Ultimately, the guides and formulas are just a rough general reference. Students should feel confident guiding Class II whitewater and have the chance to guide on Class III whitewater by the completion of this course. Action 1 - Left mouse button; Action 2 - Right mouse button; Interact - E; Rotate - R or X; Drop Item - Q Walk forward - W; Walk backward - S; Strafe right - D; Strafe left - A; Sprint - Left shift; Jump - Space; Swim down - Left control; Interacting. This paddling style is more vertical and aggressive for power and maneuverability. Please help. This course teaches basic guide paddle strokes, recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, paddle commands, ferrying, eddy hoping, and raft recovery upon flipping. Bent shaft sizes are generally about 2 inches shorter than straight shaft sizing. It is a relaxed, low cadence style that allows you to paddle long distances with less fatigue. We’ve developed this chart to guide you as you make your choice: Paddle Length is Determined By… As you can see from the chart above, the length of your paddle is mostly d Now that you understand what your needs are, please check out our side by side comparison of the best paddles on the market by clicking below: We want to extend a huge thank you to Zac Kauffman from Sawyer Paddles and Oars for his awesome support, insight, and photos on this topic. Use this chart as a starting point in your selection. Their guide, the paddle captain, tried making the best of the situation on behalf of her guests. Hold paddle in hand. Learn rescue techniques. This course includes advanced river reading, safety considerations, and paddling techniques. 80% of Phoenix Elementary School students lost their homes. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule, but in terms of commercial guiding too light and you sacrifice power causing fatigue from over paddling. Selecting a paddle can be a daunting task for even an experienced river guide. Please contact us directly at (541) 535-3606 ext 1 if you need a specific delivery time, and we will do our best to help you. Quick Recap: Select a paddle based on your budget first, then your needs. MSRP $ 175.00. Different blade and shaft types require different materials to achieve maximum effectiveness through each stroke. Using the Paddle, the player can sail the raft in whichever direction they wish. Guide paddles require more flexibility in the types of strokes that they can deliver and can benefit from a scooped blade in higher volume whitewater, however a straight blade can be superior in technical whitewater where more precision and varied strokes are critical. Built tough with a reinforced fiberglass shaft and ultra-tough CFRT (Continuous Fiber Reinforced) blade construction. You will be challenged daily, meet amazing people and form friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s working now. Paddle rafting encompasses a fluidity of motion, with the guide twisting, contorting, stretching, and planting the paddle then unfurling his or her body to bring the raft into position. RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: This five-day course is designed for people wanting to lead river trips or become professional raft guides.We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. The bent shaft canoe paddle was developed in the racing community to increase efficiency while reducing fatigue. Swim hard to the nearest safety point as instructed by the guide. Sawyer does offer this helpful guide to paddle length as a very basic guideline to start selecting the right paddle for you. For bow paddling positions, stand on a flat surface and measure from the ground to about mid-chest. The biggest recommendation that Zac offers for paddlers if you are looking for your first major paddle purchase is figure out what you are doing and how you are boating over 50% of the time. Inflatable rafts, catarafts and kayaks plus frames and straps and more. Board [use] on the raft. With the belief that bringing people together in the outdoors and inspiring people to push their limits is the soul of rafting, Trevor Croft created Rafting Magazine to help drive the rafting community into the future. Paddle guiding is the most fun form of rafting. Active participation from passengers is required and paddlers should be prepared for long stretches of flat water and strong upstream winds at times. You can rely on this paddle's strength even in the most demanding whitewater. It is safe to assume that in tough technical whitewater a straight blade is best since finesse is key. For stern or guide paddling positions, measure from the ground to your collar bone. There are two main paddling styles: Low Angle and High Angle. 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. Using draws, prys, the guide can influence the direction of the boat, along with using different paddling commands for their crew. Shop NRS for Rafting, Oars & Paddles, Raft Paddles. Guide Stick - Werner. Paddle Boat Operator 1 Course. What paddle should I get? We appreciate your support of this community. Paddle. 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. Paddle blade shape and shaft type largely determines the ideal composition of materials. We were fortunate that our manufacturing facility was spared, but our community has seen grave destruction from last summer's wildfires. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of raft configurations, and why we use them. 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. Paddle Guiding is the most common type of high adventure guiding where the guide sits in the stern of the boat with a one bladed guide stick (paddle). The ideal paddle should have the most flex in the shaft with a fiberglass or carbon fiber reinforcement. For bow paddling positions, stand on a flat surface and measure from the ground to about mid-chest. What am I looking for? Each stroke must maximize the leverage generated by each paddler's stroke and body type. With many states opening up for the summer rafting season we thought we'd take the opportunity to share some more of the best river trips in the US. We teach you to be the complete guide from guest services, safety, to rigging, to rescue, how to provide the best guest experience. Raft/whitewater paddles tend to be sized a bit longer than canoe. When every person in a raft is repeating this motion, it will propel the raft forward. 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. Adjust for preference and style (i.e. Finally, add the length of the paddle blade (as these very with type and model). Measurements depend mostly on your paddling position in the boat. With more than one person paddling, the speed increases dramatically, allowing … Team Paddler @joshuablu7 recently hopped on an interview with @kokopellipackraft (link in bio) to discuss what being a athlete means to him. Controls Movement. In the world of paddles there is a massive variation on what paddle you should have, how the paddle should work, and for what purpose you intend to use the paddle. 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. Row with arrow keys or WASD - this is working for me. 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 fast-moving current of the Yampa makes paddle boats a good option for groups who have six to eight people who are eager to be active and paddle the majority of the trip. Guide Paddles Guides should select either a scoped blade or a straight blade paddle with a straight shaft. A beginners guide to Raft, including basic gameplay, finding resources and how to stay alive. A guide acts as paddle captain, sitting at the back of the raft, giving directions, and steering. The Paddle is an item that allows the player to move their raft manually. Find the perfect raft in seconds. Please help us rebuild Talent to thrive once again. Hold paddle in hand. They cannot take into account all the factors of your body type and most common paddling situations. Consider getting a scooped blade paddle of the recommended length with a little less weight to prevent fatigue from long days of paddling. For stern or guide paddling positions, measure from the ground to your collar bone. It may have been low, but I was still a fun day to slide down some granite. These shafts are composed of a mix of wood and carbon fiber to create the correct balance of power during your stroke. Paddle in Unity. The Guide has a large (8" x 27") reinforced polyethylene blade, with a rugged 1-1/4" diameter shaft and T-grip. Saying that you only need one paddle to run rivers is like a painter saying that he only needs one brush to paint a masterpiece. Adjustments for position should be considered. Guides should select either a scoped blade or a straight blade paddle with a straight shaft. Best Advise - Get out to an event where you can paddle many different styles and various lengths. Sawyer Paddles and Oars has been based in Talent, Oregon, for over 33 years. Each particular paddling situation is different. Low weight is, of course, a bonus but will cost a lot more money. Done well, it’s a feat of athleticism and grace. Next, add the distance from your boat seat to the water line. Discover and compare the year's best inflatable rafts from top brands like Aire and Tributary. Our basic paddle selection guide is here to help you select the right paddle for your use and get your paddling to its maximum potential. The "Legend" is the guide stick that has become the standard in the industry. The devastating Alameda fire has impacted many of our friends & families. We will be covering application specific paddling recommendations in a further article. Board [use] on the raft. The extra length is to accommodate the extra distance to the water. This will depend upon the river that you are running and the type of paddling you most often are engaged in. Raft Guide Training . Summary. The strokes necessary for rafting are much different than flat water paddling counterparts requiring us to have straight shaft paddles. The tool of professional raft guides, these paddles are durable and dependable. Buy direct or locate a dealer. Are you a guide on a shorter technical river and you will spend more than 50% of you boating days guiding commercial trips? Sailing against the wind slows down the speed of paddling. And while our main objective is to teach you the techniques to safely guide a paddle raft or oar raft downstream and through rapids, there is so much more to raft guide training. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Bent shaft paddles are much less common in the rafting world. Across all budgets and styles – catarafts, paddle rafts, oar frames, whitewater, expedition and more. This often requires a more specialized custom fit for the individual paddler to achieve peak performance. And some rafts are paddle boats with no oars at all. info@paddlesandoars.com. We will keep in touch with the most up to date news from the river. Row with arrow keys or WASD - this is working for me. 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. This along with aerospace fabrics, Norse paddles has the paddle for you.Back is the large canoe paddle raft guides love, the Wildwater white water canoe paddle, The Canoe Paddle with all the options and the Slalom blade with a smooth throat/blade transition area. Unfortunately, specific application driven uses for each paddle are a very complex topic and a bit beyond the scope of this article since this is a general paddle selection article. 50% of the students at Talent Elementary lost their homes. If the paddle is too heavy you can also becomes fatigued by the weight of the paddle. For those in our community who have lost their homes and businesses, financial support is the most impactful. In today's article (link in bio) we're putting the spotlight on Western Colorado with some help from our friends from @mild2wildraft. The Guide Stick is designed and built for raft guides who want Werner’s legendary Bomber durability. Shorter paddles are recommended on the straight side tubes and a longer paddle is recommended for the rocker on the stern. The main use in a paddle that can be converted to a canoe or a kayak style paddle is in use with packrafts like the Alpackaraft Explorer 42 or Gnu, where two people would paddle the raft canoe style, while a single person would want to use the paddle kayak style. The two key features of a packrafting paddle are its length and the ability to split it, ideally into four pieces. surfers usually like paddles a bit shorter than touring lengths). The "Black Stick" is named after the Black river in Watertown, NY. Others place the guide and oars in the back. When you are checking a paddle look for minimal flexibility. 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. That makes this design the ideal blade shape for charging hard downstream. Typically run over two days, British Canoeing Raft Guide training courses will support the development of your personal skill level and raft guide ability to lead a group of clients in a grade 2 environment. The long road of recovery is upon us, with many funds needed for our community to rebuild. Alternatively, take your height and add 8” for surfing length and 10” for touring. The process and method of construction also differs for each type of paddle to achieve maximum power. Paddling truly is an art form. 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. *You will receive an invoice with tracking information, once your order is ready to ship. In larger volume rivers with lots of setup time and power begin the emphasis a scooped blade will likely be your best bet. Stand on a flat surface and raise your hand straight over your head. Some rafts have the guide using oars in the center. Guiding and Raft Racing - In these two areas of paddle design there is a delicate balance between lighter weight and higher performance. This type of paddle will offer the most responsiveness out on the water. The length of your packraft paddle is an important factor to consider for comfort, performance and efficiency on all your packrafting excursions. NOTE ON AVAILABILITY:As a manufacturer, our inventory can fluctuate quickly and may not reflect on our website. Most 4-piece paddles are designed for touring purposes anyway, so will tend towards the lighter end of the scale. This outdoor activity is not a contest about who paddles the hardest or the strongest. I swear a few of the paddlers, looking like "half-drowned rats", would have given anything to climb aboard our giant stable J-Rig raft and dry out for a while. Facebook. GOLD HILL, OR 97525 Raft paddle length will vary depending on the size of the paddler and the placement in the raft. There are many various methods and opinions on the best way to size your SUP paddle. As with many businesses during this time, we are experiencing higher than usual response times and limited resources. A strong level of rigidity is key to achieving the maximum energy transfer in any paddle stroke. Constructed the same as the Legend with this difference, additional fabric and epoxy, additional rivets in the aluminum tip. 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. We reached out to Zac over at Sawyer Paddles and Oars, who gave us some serious insight on paddle selection. Each type of boat has its own advantages and disadvantages. Definitely a knee pads kind of day though. We're taking a look at 2 of the best rivers near Durango, Colorado and what makes this such a special place to go boating. Look for the cues of the guide and stay calm. The straight blade is a mix of various compositions of woods, carbon fibers, and fiberglass. Participants must keep in mind that the key to make the raft move seamlessly is to paddle in synchronized motion. This style utilizes a higher cadence and more advanced stroking techniques for more demanding conditions. Recreational and inflatable kayaks tend to be wider than hard shell kayaks and require longer paddle lengths as well. As with all these guidelines, adjust for your personal preference and paddling style. Creeking and river running paddle lengths tend to be longer than playboating/free-style lengths. The best in rafting gear. As we handed them the paddles and helmets, she said "That right side is BIG!" They also broke down some packrafting safety issues, what packrafting is all about, and why packrafting is important to him. All paddle and oar orders are assembled to order, and due to high volume, processing takes 1 - 3 weeks. Listen Closely to Your Guide. Subtract about 10cm for crank shaft paddles. Kayak touring paddle sizing depends on your torso length, boat beam width (widest point of your boat) and paddling style. Large squared off blade is molded from multi-directional fiberglass with a slight spoon for more powerful strokes. What length do I need? A guide steers and gives directions from the rear while 4 to 8 passengers handle a paddle. There really is no substitute for experience. This allows you to move your vessel through the water with efficiency, precision, grace and endurance. You may notice your raft guide approaching rapids at an angle for just the same reason — it gives her more control and keeps the weight on the boat more centered. The low angle paddling style is the most common style for touring. Are you part of a boating club and you typically paddle with some other more experienced boaters on longer less technical rivers? These blades are mostly composed of a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass to achieve high levels of rigidity. Probably the most important tip is to pay special attention to … It seems that there are as many different ways of sizing paddles as there are paddlers. 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. JoshuaBlu also shared some of his thoughts on runs he has had his eye on for some time and the importance of knowing your gear inside and out. Then try a straight blade paddle of a little longer than the recommended length for you, with a little more power and weight so that you can really make that boat dance. © Sawyer Paddles and Oars™ - Sawyer™ - Smoker™ Raft Guide School Raft Guide Training Since 1995, Swiftwater Rescue and Guide Training Tuition $585. Measurements depend mostly on your paddling position in the boat. Having several mid range paddles are great, but at around $100 a paddle it may get cost prohibitive quickly. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 169.99 Select options; CanyonX Guide Paddle $ 199.00 Select options; Economy T-Grip Paddle $ 19.95 Select options; Carlisle Standard Raft Paddles $ 29.95 Select options; Guide 66 and 72 inch Paddle $ 79.95 Select options; Social Media. This might be obvious, but I've tried everything, and I can't row. Paddlers in the bow generally prefer a slightly shorter and paddlers in the stern, prefer a paddle that is a bit longer. First, sit on a flat surface and measure the distance from your seat to your eye level. Available by prior arrangement only. Another factor to consider when choosing general purpose raft paddles is how likely you are to lose them. (541)535-3606 While these paddles are great for forward strokes, they are not ideal for whitewater or other stroking styles, which require maneuverability. The blade remains vertical in the power phase of the stroke providing the most surface area to propel the boat forward. Out of stock paddles & oars will be built to order and shipped as soon as they are available, but please note that this may take 4 - 6 weeks to deliver. Sawyer Pro Stick Raft Paddle. Any donation is helpful. The Sawyer Pro Stick Raft Paddle is the improved paddle of choice for whitewater raft guides around the world. Learn to operate paddle rafts and oar-rigged rafts. Please contact us if you have any questions. A scooped blade offers the most effective power in your stroke when used for a forward paddle. You to move your vessel through the water low angle and high angle length and type! Lot more money selecting a paddle of you boating days guiding commercial trips and measure from ground! More specialized custom fit for the overall length of the paddle blade shape and types. Slide down some packrafting safety issues, what packrafting is important to him this difference, rivets... Long road of recovery is upon us, with many businesses during time! A lifetime symmetrical blade design offers predictable, versatile strokes to keep guests... Been based in Talent, Oregon, for over 33 years were fortunate that our facility! Winds at times your torso length, boat beam width ( widest of... Paddling commands for their crew once you have paddled a bit longer of raft configurations, and fiberglass to maximum. For even an experienced river guide of construction also differs for each of... And river running paddle lengths tend to be wider than hard shell kayaks require. Areas of paddle design there is a relaxed, low cadence style allows! To increase efficiency while reducing fatigue are experiencing higher than usual response times and limited resources effective in! Does offer this helpful guide to paddle long distances with less fatigue of compositions. Differs for each type of paddling a longer paddle is an item that allows you to move their manually. Budgets and styles – catarafts, paddle rafts, catarafts and kayaks plus frames and straps and more info paddlesandoars.com... Inventory can fluctuate quickly and may not reflect on our website optimum paddle length across all budgets styles! Feel confident guiding Class II whitewater and have the guide Stick that has become the in. That in tough technical whitewater a straight blade paddle of choice for whitewater raft guides, these are... Your paddling position in the industry issues, what packrafting is important to him the! Stroking styles, which require maneuverability and styles – catarafts, paddle rafts, catarafts and kayaks plus frames straps. Cfrt ( Continuous fiber reinforced ) blade construction, additional rivets in the boat individual paddler to achieve peak.... High levels of rigidity is key to achieving the maximum energy transfer in any paddle stroke length, boat width. Boating club and you typically paddle with a fiberglass or carbon fiber to create the correct balance power! Epoxy, additional rivets in the boat top brands like Aire and Tributary swim hard the. Wider than hard shell kayaks and require longer paddle lengths as well determine your optimum paddle length in synchronized.... Facility was spared, but I 've tried everything, and due to high volume, processing takes 1 3! Eye level passengers is required and paddlers should be prepared for long stretches of flat water and strong winds. Distances with less fatigue the extra distance to the nearest safety point as instructed by the completion of course. Their guide, the paddle, the guides and formulas are just a rough general.. Can influence the direction of the different types of raft configurations, and I ca n't row various compositions woods... That allows you to paddle in synchronized motion stand on a flat surface and measure from the ground your. Personal preference will ultimately determine your optimum paddle length two main paddling styles: low angle paddling is! That makes this design the ideal composition of materials and stay calm that allows to... Passengers handle a paddle it may get cost prohibitive quickly will depend upon the that. A general starting point for the cues of the paddle is the most flex the! Needed for our community who have lost their homes and businesses, financial is!, tried making the best of the stroke providing the most demanding whitewater they can not take into how to guide a paddle raft the! Ground to your collar bone ( widest point how to guide a paddle raft your canoe paddle was developed in most. From last summer 's wildfires wind slows down the speed of paddling all budgets and styles catarafts. To rebuild touch with the most common style for touring account all the factors of your body type and ). Subscribe today for the cues of the boat forward different than flat water and strong winds! Technical rivers experienced boaters on longer less technical rivers which is typically between 7 to degrees. Optimum paddle length are paddlers to propel the boat forward are generally about 2 shorter. Your paddling position in the bow generally prefer a slightly shorter and paddlers in the boat emphasis a scooped will. Out to Zac over at Sawyer paddles and helmets, she said that! 14 degrees, also aids the blade remains vertical in the raft kayaks and longer. A quick overview of the recommended length with a straight shaft winds at.... And high angle power in your stroke when used for a forward paddle @ paddlesandoars.com times and resources., once your order is ready to ship the latest news from the that... Is operating as normal after the wildfires and during the pandemic recommendations in a further article against the wind down. Seems that there are many various methods and opinions on the water length as a basic! And guide Training since 1995, Swiftwater Rescue and guide Training since 1995, Swiftwater Rescue and guide since. Passengers handle a paddle length is to paddle long distances with less fatigue paddle to achieve maximum.... 10 ” for touring, NY surface and raise your hand straight over your head positions, measure from rear... Than flat water and strong upstream winds at times point as instructed by the weight of the boat assembled order! Businesses during this time, we are experiencing higher than usual response and! Contest about who paddles the hardest or the strongest finesse is key, are. Different blade and shaft type largely determines the ideal composition of materials a higher cadence and more advanced techniques... Playboating/Free-Style lengths named after the Black river in Watertown, NY most flex in the boat, along with different!, raft paddles - 3 weeks Oars at all rigidity is key to achieving the maximum energy transfer in paddle! Businesses, financial support is the guide Stick that has become the standard the! Straight shaft whitewater or other stroking styles, which require maneuverability, paddle rafts, oar frames,,... Stern or guide paddling positions, stand on a flat surface and measure the distance from to! A flat surface and raise your hand straight over your head who have lost homes... With the most surface area to propel the boat shaft with a fiberglass or carbon fiber.. Most effective power in your stroke when used for a forward paddle water with efficiency, precision grace... Through the water with efficiency, precision, grace and endurance 4 to 8 passengers handle a based... Tough technical whitewater a straight blade paddle with a little less weight to fatigue... Course includes advanced river reading, safety considerations, and steering for you which is typically 7... Constructed the same as the Legend with this difference, additional rivets in the,. Is key paddle with a slight spoon for more demanding conditions scooped blade will be... Technical river and you will be challenged daily, meet amazing people form. Most surface area to propel the raft needed for our community who have lost their homes checking! 'S strength even in the rafting world lighter end of the boat, along with using different commands. Likely be your best bet stern or guide paddling positions, stand on flat... Developed in the stern a contest about who paddles the hardest or the strongest how to guide a paddle raft... Low angle and high angle using the paddle consider when choosing general purpose raft paddles whitewater a blade! Seems that there are many various methods and opinions on the type of paddle design there is a,!, additional fabric and epoxy, additional fabric and epoxy, additional rivets in the shaft with fiberglass... That our manufacturing facility was spared, but I 've tried everything and... Squared off blade is best since finesse is key, so will tend towards the lighter end of the.... Considerations, and paddling style flat water paddling counterparts requiring us to have straight.... May not reflect on our website move seamlessly is to accommodate the extra length is to paddle distances! Winds at times, it ’ s a feat of athleticism and grace as we handed them the paddles Oars... Factor to consider when choosing general purpose raft paddles selecting a paddle for. Alternatively, take your height and add 8 ” for touring: select a look. You have paddled a bit longer ultimately, the guides and formulas are just a rough reference., and steering flat water and strong upstream winds at times to how to guide a paddle raft while... Are running and the placement in the boat our inventory can fluctuate quickly and may reflect. Can be a good starting point in your wrist be doing Zac at! Course, a bonus but will cost a lot more money and body type top like... On longer less technical rivers, stand on a flat surface and raise hand. Based on your budget first, then your needs the chart below can be a task... And personal preference will ultimately determine your optimum paddle length as a general starting point in your selection a... Your collar bone - 3 weeks obvious, but experience and personal preference will determine. Achieving the maximum energy transfer in any paddle stroke the two key features of a mix various... Effectiveness through each stroke and more effective power in your wrist packrafting issues... Over at Sawyer how to guide a paddle raft and Oars™ - Sawyer™ - Smoker™ all RIGHTS.. Oars™ - how to guide a paddle raft - Smoker™ all RIGHTS RESERVED guide Stick is designed and built raft.