Canoe Paddle Guide
Canoe paddles have a long, rich history in Canada. With so many options it can be hard to find the right one for you. Using our canoe paddle guide, you can be sure you're set with the right canoe paddle.
Canoe Paddle Types
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Beavertail Canoe Paddle
The Beavertail paddle offers a mix of all styles when it comes to canoe paddles. The blade shape is long, but not too narrow, meaning it has the ability to offer solid maneuverability while sterning, as well as still offering a strong stroke.
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Ottertail Canoe Paddle
The Ottertail paddle has a slightly longer and narrower blade than the famous beavertail. This blade is what makes the ottertail a perfect paddle for stern seat paddlers. The longer blade aids to efficancy in manouvaerabilty and control when in the stern seat.
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Square Tip Canoe Paddle
Square tip canoe paddles often have a blade that is much shorter and wider than other options. These paddles are great for bow seat paddlers who want to provide power to propel the boat forwards.
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Whitewater Canoe Paddle
Whitewater canoe paddles are tough and durable, ready to take on the most rugged paddling conditions. Often reinforced to be stronger than the average canoe paddle, if you're paddling in whitewater, this is the option for you.
Beavertail Canoe Paddle
In lakes and deep rivers the beavertail canoe paddle is the way to go. With enough width on the blade to provide a strong stoke this paddle will take you places. Set for both bow and stern paddling, this canoe is a great option for beginners and experts alike.
Sizing for canoe paddles featured at bottom of page.
Ottertail Canoe Paddle
If you are the type of paddler who often finds themselves in the stern of the canoe, or even taking yourself out on solo trips, then the Ottertail canoe paddle is the one for you. With a long and narrow blade, control and maneuverability come easier than with other paddles. This paddle is suited for lake and deep river usage.
Square Tip Canoe Paddle
Also known as the "Sugar Island" or "Hammerhead", the square tip canoe paddle is perfect for bow paddlers who want to be the driving force of power in their canoe. This short and wide blade allows paddlers to pull large amounts of water with each stroke. Suited for both deep and shallow water, the square tip canoe paddle is sure to get you where you need to go!
Whitewater Canoe Paddle
These are paddles made for the river runners, adventures and adrenaline junkies! The whitewater canoe paddle is made to handle the toughest of conditions as they built with more reinforcements than a recreational style canoe paddle. These paddles were created with performance and reliability on the mind.
Sizing Canoe Paddles
When measuring, it's important to remember that the length of the paddle shaft should equal the distance from your shoulder to the waterline of your canoe. To determine this length, it’s recommended that you sit on a hard, flat chair and measure the distance from your chin to the flat part of the chair. For traditional paddles, we recommend adding 6” to account for the distance to the waterline. For example, if your measurement from chin to chair is 28”, you would add 6” to end with a shaft length of 34”.
Another form of measurement is holding the paddle above your head, with one hand on the grip of the paddle and the other at the end of the shaft, right at the start of the blade. Lift the paddle so you’re holding it right above your head. What we are looking for is a 90 degree angle in both arms, this method can involve testing a few different sizes.
Always remember that small variations in sizes, around a couple inches is unlikely to make a large difference, and finding something you are comfortable with is the end goal.