Equipment Reviews by Michael Gray
Paddle Review: The Lendal Storm
First impression was that blade size and its 24 oz. weight made for very pleasurable all day touring. It feels very “strong” despite its lightweight and seems to have just enough flex. In forward strokes the stiffness of the shaft made for smooth power transfer with the blade catching smoothly and exiting quietly with no flutter at all. Despite the lack of drip rings, the paddle was quite dry to use. The blade also gripped well through sweep strokes and draws…that nicely shaped shaft coming into play again allowing very precise control with little ventilation. The blade worked predictably and felt completely natural through a whole litany of strokes, except one.
Choosing a Touring Kayak Paddle
Traditional Euro-Style
Most people spend a lot of time, energy and money choosing a kayak. They don’t often focus as much energy on their choice of paddle and frankly, that choice can make an even bigger difference at the end of a few miles than your boat.
Fit is one of the biggest factors affecting how well you’re going to enjoy your paddle.
Length: You want a paddle that is literally just long enough for you to reach the water for proper stroke position (see forward stroke article). The blade should be immersed all the way with your hands in optimal stroke position for touring. Any longer and you’re simply carrying around more paddle weight than you need to. Remember that if you have long arms, you can even get away with a shorter paddle because of your natural reach. You might be surprised to find some very skilled paddlers using paddles less than 215 cm long. Shaft size: People with smaller hands may find a smaller shaft diameter to be a bit more comfortable too, especially when combined with a relaxed hand grip technique.