I am going to look at the different types of equipment that are need for people who are beginners of kayaking and also the more advanced kayakers.

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Hannah Watson

Equipment for Kayaking

I am going to look at the different types of equipment that are need for people who are beginners of kayaking and also the more advanced kayakers.  

The different types of equipment I am going to look at are

  • Paddles
  • Buoyancy aid
  • Helmets  

Paddlers

There are different types of paddles that can be used by people who are at different skill levels.  The beginner should use a basic shaped paddle, which can be used in different circumstances but not in strong waters like for whitewater kayaking.

There are 3 different points that you need to consider before you buy a paddle and they are

1. Blade length and shape.
2. Shaft length and shape.
3. The materials used to construct the paddle.

Before you do choose the paddle it is important that you what type of paddling you will be doing as this will help determine what type of paddle is the right one for you.    

You also need to work it out with your height and body strength, and also the width and length of your kayak.

The Blade length and shape

The paddle blades can come in different shapes they can be long, short, narrow, wide, feathered, unfeathered, symmetrical, asymmetrical, spooned or dihedral.

A blade that has a wide blade with a large surface area can provide greater acceleration, but may cause more resistance in the water.  It also takes more effort to use a large bladed paddle.

A long narrow blade will take more strokes to move through the same amount of water, but the paddler will be less tired while doing this.    

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Shaft Length and Shape

Different types of kayaks need different lengths of the paddles.  Long paddlers may provide more power but it also creates more resistance.  Whitewater kayakers will prefer to use the shorter paddles, as they will increase the amount of manoeuvrability quickness and strength.
Most paddles have straight shafts but there are several that have bent-shaft models this can increase the paddlers comfort as well as providing a stronger more effective stroke.  

Materials Used In Construction
The materials used to construct the paddle will determine its weight, durability and flexibility.

Paddles can be made from

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