Paddle
From CanoePolo.org
Canoe polo uses a two sided kayak type paddle. In additional to moving the kayak, the paddle is also use to handle the ball and block shots. As a result this places a special requirement on canoe polo paddles.
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[edit] Contruction
A paddle consist of a shaft and two blades. There are design (like Lettmann) that integrates the shaft and blade.
Paddles are made of a number of materials. High end paddles are typically made of carbon. Mixed contruction of kevlar and carbon are also common. Training paddles typically have metal or fiberglass shaft with plastic blades.
To protect the paddle edge, some players laminate kevlar type alone the edge.
[edit] Feather Angle
The feather angle of a paddle refers to the angle made by the to opposite blade. Due to the twisting action when paddling a kayak, the blades are set at an offset angle to eachother. This angle varies from player to player.
[edit] Length
In general, a longer paddle allows deeper powerful strokes required to achieve higher speed. A shorter paddle allows the boat to be turned quick.
With a longer paddle there is the added advantage of extended reach while blocking.
Length of paddle also depends on the build of the player. Most canoe polo players have paddle length between 200cm to 205cm. The goalkeeper usually use slightly longer paddle to reach the top of the goal.
[edit] Shape of blade
Selection of blade shape is influenced by paddling style. The kinetic style blades are used by paddlers with a more vertical style of paddling. The eclipse/tempest style blades are used by paddlers with a more horizontal style of paddling.
[edit] Size of blade
Size of the blade affects the catch in the water. A weaker player using a large blade will struggle to push the blade through the water at a quick enough rate.
[edit] Diameter of shaft
Selection of shaft diameter depends on hand size. The diameter of the shaft dramatically affects the stiffness of the shaft.
[edit] Material characteristics
Carbon is strong under tension, i.e. it is rigid but cannot stand up well under impact. Kevlar is strong under compression i.e. it is stronger under impact but is more flexible. Based on these properties, a mix of these material gives certain characteristic to the paddle.
For the shaft, a slight amount of flex is desiable, this creates a snapping or whip like action at the end of the stroke. Glass shaft is sometime preferred over carbon or kevlar for the low cost and good durability.
For the blade, good stiffness is preferred as the energy is lost if it flexes during the paddle stroke.
It is belived that stiff full carbon paddle is hard on the arms/joints/bones in the long term.
