If you’re in a hurry and still want to grab the best kayak paddles for beginners, then we recommend the SeaSense Kayak Paddle, as the best one.
Learning to kayak is not rocket science! All you need is the will to practice more and the passion to go out. But to do so you cannot avoid the importance of the right gears. I believe that you already own a good kayak. Now you are on your next hunt to look for some decent paddles. Something that would suit your riding style and needs.
Here I am to help you. Let me tell you I’ve done whole research for the last week over paddles just to get some perfect models. The information I got was really helpful and so now I’m here to write about it. It’s going to be a saga about the best kayak paddles for beginners.
Don’t mind me, I’m about to talk a lot! Because you need to hear everything about an ideal paddle before you give your money to one particular model. A comprehensive guide after some top kayak paddle reviews is on its way. Keep Anticipating!
10 Best Kayak Paddles for Beginners, By Comparison
Before I talk about kayak paddles I want you to have a look at some of the coolest pick for paddles that are a great choice for beginners. Here I’ll be including ten best options for noobs. These manufacturers are reliable and right now very popular with their models.
Paddle Name | Length (Inches) | Blades | |
|---|---|---|---|
84/96 | Feathered | ||
86/90/94 | Feathered | ||
96 | Contour Molded | ||
87/96 | Feathered | ||
86/90/94 | Asymmetrical | ||
84 | Plastic | ||
86/90/94 | Fiberglass-reinforced | ||
86/90/98/102 | Fiberglass-reinforced | ||
87 | Feathered | ||
96 | Ribbed |
Don’t just wander between the features but try to understand what is going to work for you. Most beginners will find the features really useful that these ten are ready to offer. Read well the reviews and think wisely. I’m sure you’ll be able to make a prominent choice quickly.
1. Seasense X-Treme II Kayak Paddle – The Convenient 3 Lock Positions
The Seasense X-treme II is a lightweight paddle to get for beginners. It feels super trivial on hand and so paddling for hours will be no problem with this model. It feels really convenient to hold it and the grips are solid plus safe.
Even a person with six feet in height would find the extra length of the paddles pretty useful. It comes with two size or length options. So you can choose accordingly depending on your requirements. The paddle comes with a convenient two-piece construction formula.
The blade comes with a feathered design for making the angle speed better. So while paddling you’ll find it easy to make clear strokes. It’s a convenient feature to appraise.
That’s why it’s super simple to transport in a vehicle. Even when you carry it this feels easy and so the portability is more than awesome. At least beginner kayakers would find this weight easy to travel with.
Also after using it, the two-piece folding option will help to keep it safely stored in one corner of your house.
With three locking positions, the paddles are adjustable according to user needs. That’s another great feature that makes the usability simple and user-friendly. The support ridge is also there to ensure that the user gets extra strength for paddling.
- Comes with a great convenient blade design.
- The paddles are super easy to store and transport.
- Comes with modifying drip guards.
- A great paddle with a support ridge.
- Three locking positions give versatility while kayaking.
- The blade materials are not so durable.
2. Carlisle Day Tripper Aluminum Kayak Paddle – 2 Piece Foldable Paddle for a Perfect Noon Ride
The Carlisle Daytripper aluminum kayak paddle is a decent choice for beginners who want to have a convenient 2 piece kayak paddle in their kayaking kit. These paddles do a phenomenal job to get you a smooth and efficient paddling experience on a kayaking ride.
The Carlisle paddle comes with blades that are great for afternoon water. The asymmetrical polypropylene blades will give smooth and efficient strokes. That’s why it suits beginners who have less knowledge about the right paddling. Even they would find it easy to stroke.
The next fascinating thing about the Carlisle day tripper 2 piece kayak paddle is the weight. The shaft of these paddles is built from high-quality anodized aluminum.
That’s why the built-in is very light and easy to handle. This construction makes the paddle super easy for faster hand placements. Also, the grip is strong and firm for a safe kayaking ride.
The paddles come with feathered blades. There is a pushbutton to control the angle. You can set it at sixty degrees or control for right and left-handed inline. So the adjustability gives you better control over the whole ride.
There are three size options available. So riders from any height stage can enjoy these quality paddles from Carlisle. Just make sure to have a good idea about what length will suit your paddling style.
- Super light in weight and easy to handle.
- Comes with a pushbutton on blades that makes it easy to control.
- The length is suitable for any height.
- The shaft material is strong and convenient.
- Suitable for any skill kayaker.
- Blades are not sealed properly.
3. Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddle – The Flawless Contour Molded Blades for Flutter Free Strokes
The Shoreline marine kayak paddle is a ninety-six inches paddling tool that is quite popular among the beginner folks who are into kayaking. The features and usability are full of surprise package that any level rider would really enjoy having.
It comes with a convenient drip guard feature. These are really well used when you ride in rough water. That situations are hard to kayak and also sometimes the rider gets wet. The guards will keep you dry while paddling.
The blades are contour molded type. They work pretty well and make effortless strokes on the water with less push. I really like the shape that makes usability and paddling even simpler.
There is also a three-position system within the paddle. Now you can easily adjust it according to your convenience of riding. This feature enables the possibility of freely paddling with maximum flexibility. No matter what type of paddler you are there’s always a better position for you with it.
The next great thing about the Shoreline marine paddle is that it comes with a two-piece foldable configuration. The paddle is that’s why super easy to transport with. You can easily fit it inside your car trick or store it in your house.
- The drip guards work nicely to keep your hand dry.
- The grip is comfortable to hold.
- You can have fitting according to your style.
- The transportation is simple and portability is good.
- It’s budget-friendly also.
- Not compatible for heavyweight riders.
4. Leader Accessories Kayak Paddle – The Beautiful Paddle with Five Beach Friendly Color Options
The Leader Accessories aluminum kayak paddle is a great choice for any novice who wants to have a great paddling experience with an easy storage facility. It comes with a bunch of good-looking features that are suitable for any purpose paddling condition.
In a battle between fiberglass vs aluminum kayak paddles, I’m sure most experts would go for fiberglass construction. There’s zero doubt to that fact. I agree! But you are a beginner paddler. So obviously you would want to go with lightweight materials. That’s the same case with this paddle.
The two-piece aluminum paddle still got a great construction quality to withstand rough situations. However for best usability, one should get these paddles for practice and calm water situations.
The blades are molded plastic made and also feathered. This makes every stroke smooth and easy to paddle on the water.
There is a push button as well that gives you better control over the paddle. Most of the time the water situation keeps on altering so a paddle that reacts that way should be a great option to choose.
- It’s super easy to use and paddle.
- The functionality is really simple.
- Breaks down in a two-piece to give better storage ability.
- Ideal for any kayaker.
- The weight is minimal and easy to handle.
- Not for too rough water conditions.
5. Carlisle Magic Plus Kayak Paddle – The Vigorous Fiberglass Shaft
The Carlisle simply magic paddle is simply a bliss tool to have for your kayaking needs. It’s super firm to hold and at the same time very convenient to use in light water situations. The built-in quality, flexibility, and usability are all on point to give you a great beginner-level paddling experience overall.
Carlisle’s asymmetrical blades are a masterpiece to make easy stroking on water. The shape is kind of oval, like a spoon. This design goes very well with the shaft that is made of fiberglass. The high-quality construction of this shaft with the effortless blade shape blends together to give you powerful strokes on the water.
Now even if the shaft is made of fiberglass don’t worry about it being too stiff to get pain on your hand. Instead, the whole design is so comfortable that you’ll be able to work with the needed flex. So that the stress on your hands is always eliminating and you can paddle for a long time.
- Super easy to paddle with.
- Suits any type of kayak.
- The usability and handling are very simple.
- Comes with three different length options for better convenience.
- Extremely lightweight to ensure proper maneuver and control.
- The snap button is a bit hard to press.
6. SeaSense Kayak Paddle – Easy Paddling In a Budget
The SeaSense X-1 kayak paddle is a quality paddling tool that you can get for your rides with very reasonable pricing. It comes with good built-in quality with some great functional ability to ensure you have safe and easy paddling all the way.
The two-piece paddle is basically made of aluminum. To the novice riders, the most important thing is not the material. It’s about handling and maneuverability. This paddle performs quite well at the price.
Since it’s made of aluminum the paddle gives you the freedom to make easy strokes on calm water. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to have paddles for practice sessions. Even as a spare paddle this model will do a great job to serve you.
The lightweight material also gives you the black molded plastic blades that are really made well. The quality of the blades ensures you can have smooth strokes while paddling. This reduces any cumbersome or tiring moments from the tour efficiently.
Also, the paddle floats and so if accidentally you lose the grip, don’t worry. It would not drown in the water instead it would float and you’ll be able to get them back.
- A smooth padding experience.
- The price range is very reasonable.
- Works excellently with lightweight material.
- The paddles can float so no fear of losing them.
- It comes with good quality blades.
- The blade shape should have been a bit rounded.
7. Cannon Cascade Kayak Paddle – A Textbook Entry-Level Paddle
Cannon cascade paddle is a popular choice for entry-level paddling and most beginners have already known about it for the quality it provides. The built-in and efficiency of paddling is one of the main reasons for a good combination of strong but smooth.
The Cannon paddle includes aluminum shafts in it. This shaft is really strong to give you smooth and enhanced performance in water conditions. The grip is solid and firm to make sure they hold never slips and you can enjoy safe paddling.
Also, the blades are made of lightweight and durable fiberglass material that is reinforced for better quality. This makes room for blade stability beyond awesome. So whenever you take these excellent paddles into the water you would love the ease while pulling it through waves.
- A perfect beginner-level paddle in the budget.
- The shafts are very strong and heat-treated.
- It comes with flexible blades that perform outstandingly in water.
- The paddle is super easy to store and carry.
- Comes with control settings within.
- The handles need improvement.
- Folks who are looking for feathered blades will not find it useful.
8. BENDING BRANCHES Angler Classic Paddle – A Conventional Design with Innovative Value
The BENDING BRANCHES angler classic paddle is a budget-friendly fishing paddle that is meant for fishermen’s needs. I wanted to include one paddle specifically meant for kayak fishing, those readers who are into sports.
Your skill level won’t matter with the Bending branches angler classic plus. These classic design paddles are meant to give you the smoothest pull through water environments. You’ll be maintaining flutter-free strokes no matter what type of paddling style you like to pull.
Another great facility is the construction quality. The recreational paddle comes with adjustable features. So that you can easily break it down into two pieces. This makes the paddles super simple to store and compact for traveling needs.
Moreover, there’s a snap-button ferrule with three holes. It’s adjustable and you can have angles from 0 to 60 degrees depending on what hand control you need to have.
From four length options, you will have the opportunity to pick one ideal size for your kayaking needs. The convenience of having four sizes gives flexibility to any height user. Also, the blades made of strong fiberglass material will ensure you get a flawless blend of durability as well as weight. So that the paddling experience goes smooth and you feel less pain or stress on your hands.
- Multiple adjustable controls available for ease of use.
- The design is classic and gives smooth paddling.
- The strokes on the water seem to be clutter-free.
- It’s a compact paddle that is super for travel and storing.
- The ovalized grip is very comfortable.
- The paddle ends are a bit heavy.
9. Naviskin Kayak Paddles – The 2-Piece Convenient Paddle with Vibrant Color Options
The Naviskin kayak paddle is a great choice for all-day paddling with some effortless features that make paddling a piece of cake for literally any skilled rider.
It comes with a very cool design that looks super beach-friendly to me. The design is something that you can call both simple and stunning. Now there are three color options you get for this model to choose from. That’s a huge thing for folks who care about shades.
It comes in dark black, bright yellow, and simple white shades that look phenomenal. Now talking about the blades, these are feathered. So the stroking on the water is even and flutter less to the most. It comes with very good quality construction that ensures it won’t fall apart pretty soon. But of course, you would have to be careful while going for Maintainance and storage stages.
Also, the paddles come with two-piece construction. This makes it super easy to fold and store in any place of your home. You can easily use the collapsible feature to put it in the back of your car trunk while going on a kayaking ride also.
The lightweight material makes sure that the kayak is easy to control as well as maneuver. So it’s going to be ideal for noob-level riders. Just because it’s lightweight that does not mean it isn’t durable. In fact, for the price, it’s pretty solid.
- A nice and durable design.
- Makes flutter-free paddling.
- Gives a lightweight feel while handling.
- Easy to control and maneuver.
- Comes with pretty three shade options
- Ends are not built well and need improvement.
10. Intex Dual Purpose Kayak Paddle – The Advanced Single-Paddle to Double-Boat-Oars Formula
The Intex dual-purpose kayak paddle is a great choice for riders who are using an inflatable kayak. This pair goes very well with the design. It is a combo paddle deal that makes a single paddle for kayak and when you need it, you can also use it as double boat oars.
The 96 inches length is quite big and suitable for tall people. However, it also suits the riders who are short. They just need to disconnect it and there would be two 48-inches oars to use. This detachable feature also helps to tour with the paddles easily. You can store them anywhere with the collapsible style.
The shaft is made of rock-solid aluminum. This material is pretty lightweight but not poor quality for sure. The trivial weight helps to get better maneuverability in the water. Also, the chances to paddle straight increases since you’ll be easily controlling the weight.
- An easy to maneuver paddling experience.
- The weight is minimal to handle with ease.
- It comes with the detachable paddle to oars formula.
- There are drip rings included.
- Huge black blades for better strokes.
- The ends are flat.
Choosing the Best Kayak Paddle for Beginners: Buyer's Guide
There are some factors to choose ideal paddles for you. Here are some of the major ones to keep in mind.
1. The Length of the Paddle
There are various length options to choose from when looking for quality paddles. This usually ranges from 210 cm to 260 cm.
Picking one perfect length for your kayaking depends on three things. Height, paddling style, and kayak dimension. One simple rule is, the more height you have the more length you need in a kayak.
- An athletic kayaker would want to go for long paddles and wide blades.
- A heavy or tall kayaker would want to go for a wide blade and long paddles.
- A speed-conscious short or small kayaker should go for a smaller blade with less area.
2. The Material of Blade
Depending on your strength, weight, and budget there is three material I want to talk about. If you want to go for a colorful paddle blade at a reasonable cost then go for fiberglass paddles. These are best for strength and not so heavy. Most recreational kayakers prefer this material.
When you want a blade that is built for power but also is lightweight then choose the carbon fiber ones. It might be a bit more costly. However, if you are serious about kayaking then this is the right pick for you.
The final material is aluminum. These are strong and inexpensive. It needs your proper maintenance to survive. Recreational paddlers would love to have these blades for their first adventure.
3. The Shape of Blade
Most kayakers used to love symmetrical blades in past days. Now asymmetrical dihedral blades are more popular and preferred by most kayakers. This shape is really convenient to invest less energy. So that you can effortlessly paddle in the water.
4. An Ideal Shaft
This is an important factor to consider. While looking for the right shaft you need to fix what feels right. There are two types of shaft you can choose and both are excellent in quality. You need to pick one depending on what type of kayaker you are.
The first one is a straight shaft. These are a flawless choice for a more advanced type of kayakers. This gives better maneuverability and flexibility.
The next type is known as a bent shaft. The beginners should go for this shaft design. It gives you calmness in your arm by taking away unwanted pressure from the wrist area. A pro kayaker can use it also by eliminating the inflammation.
5. Collapsible
There is some paddle that you can break apart for better storage and portability. Most would come in one to four-piece collapsing ability. The benefit of using a four-piece paddle is more than the two-piece for a beginner. Since the paddle will easily fit in your bag pack.
Two Major Things to Consider Before Making a Choice!
When buying a paddle there are some situations you need to think about. These conditions would have an impact on your choice later. So better think about them earlier. I’m going to talk about two major ones. Ask yourself these two questions and then you are ready to move on to the next section.
Are You Prepared With Maintenance & Storage Requirements?
The size of your paddle will determine storage ability and safety as well. So when you plan on storing the paddles for a long time then be sure to face deformed and uneven blades. Also, there are chances of tarnishing and scratches. That’s completely ruining its aesthetics.
There are some brands that consider the problem and work to give a good solution. Collapsible paddles are one of them. These types of paddles would help to break down your kayak oars into 3 or 4 pieces. The small pieces are comparatively easy to store.
You might believe this is the most perfect solution but hang on! There’s more to it! Most of the time the only negative you have to face while using collapsible paddles is rusting.
This one problem can make the whole paddle defective and your next ride is surely going to lose its fun and ease. Also, you can misplace one part and the whole design will get disturbed.
The easiest fix here is appropriate maintenance and storage habits. Do you have them? Or maybe, are you willing to invest your time to follow them? Consider!
What Water Condition Would You Paddle In?
The water type where you paddle would play an important part to fix your paddle choice. You might have guessed that we would be talking about the water temperature? But that’s not what I am going to tell you to think about. It’s actually the speed!
That’s why I’m telling you to consider the water situation. When the water situations change then the paddles should alter as well.
Suppose you are planning to go kayaking in rough waters. Then you need to consider some special features such as feathered ones with a strong angle. These types of paddles are easy to make a cut through the air fast. So you would be having faster strokes with these.
But, as far as I know, most of the beginners will decide to go for calm water kayaking. For that situation, you can choose a paddle with less powerful angles.
It would be better for overall efficiency. You don’t need to fight strong winds and currents in these water situations. So the leisurely and enjoyable paddling will need a basic oar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beginners Kayak Paddles
Understand Angle
So we need to understand paddling style beforehand to have an idea about what type of paddle you need. That should be your first task for choosing the best kayak paddles for beginners.
To be more specific, the paddling style can be divided into two types or sections. One is known to be low-angle and the other is the opposite, high angle.
The first one is a style that is basically relaxing and the paddles you use for this type are going to have slimmer blades. Usually, the blade touches the water with a slow stroking ratio. Here the length is a bit high for the paddle.
On the other hand, the high-angle style uses a fast stroking speed. This one is really comfortable for better haste and also it gives you better chances for control and maneuver.
But then again, the paddling needs you to be very strong. You would be investing more energy here than the low-angle one. Folks who are out there kayaking to stay fit will love the stamina-building method of high angle.
Now there is a possibility that some kayakers would prefer both styles. Since most kayakers would want to depend on the conditions to choose one particular style. I think for a few folks, this is an ideal decision to contemplate over.
The style you pick will have an impact on your decision for choosing a paddle. Also, you would be considering the height and width of the kayak. Once you understand the angle you will find it easy to pick a paddle length according to that.
Different Types of Kayak Paddles!
Well, when we talk about different types of kayaks there are actually huge categories I can speak about. However to keep it simple for beginners I’ll only discuss some important types. Don’t worry! These are more than enough. Just pay attention to each type. You might discover one specific kind to be perfect for your kayaking needs.
You might want to for fishing or maybe you are an enthusiast of whitewater sports. These specific types of paddles are called multipurpose because they are flawless for multiple uses. Most of the best kayak paddles for beginners fall in this category.
The paddle type includes carbon fiber shafts in the construction. It’s one of the best options for multiple activities. The paddles also come with nylon blades. These blades combine well with strong carbon to give better quality and long durability.
Most of the time, these types of paddles are really light in weight. So you’ll be sure to have better control over the paddles. You would find it super easy to achieve a needed speed.
The multipurpose paddles are available in so many online shops. A few reliable brands also include flexible shafts. So the length is adjustable according to shafts to match particular physic.
This type is usually made of fiberglass and is best for hard activities. These kayaking paddles are particularly made for whitewater sports. The paddles are built with precision and include a fiberglass shaft and blade.
These types of paddles will give you a huge blade option with trivial weight shafts. So it’s a great pick for people who need good speed and smooth controlling. If you already have a toured kayak then these types are specifically meant for you. The better tracking capacity is one of the most prominent features it offers.
You can select a convenient blade size depending on your physic and age. There are some brands that offer models with feathering and unfeathering buttons. These are undeniably very useful. I’ll suggest you pick these paddles with drip rings. This extension would help to keep you dry while kayaking.
The special blades are very helpful to maintain easy steering and stability. There are some good options available with sixty-degree fixed blades.
Remember one thing, never go for the feathering option when you select this type of paddles. The feature will manipulate efficiency in turbulent water. Instead, go for the models that offer four parts and are great for durability as well as portability.
So these paddles that most of the time comes with 72 inches of length are a perfect fit for long tours. An aluminum shaft with some asymmetrical aluminum blades will make kayaking even more comfortable. So make sure to note that!
Verdict
Paddles are going to be your very close companion while kayaking. So make sure you give a good amount of time doing a proper study before buying one particular model.
These ten best kayak paddles for beginners are all a perfect choice with great features and mind-blowing benefits. The listed price options are quite reasonable. However, don’t forget to check out the key factors while making a choice. Depend on your paddling style and conditions you’ll basically tour in.
While reading the reviews I’m sure you figured out that the prices vary. But there’s a reason they do so. Quality needs value! So if money is not a hassle for you then try to get something expensive. Even if you are a beginner but a serious paddler.
However, if you need a paddle merely for practicing then the less expensive models are great also. You can choose them as a good spare as well. The cheap ones are primarily good for slow-moving streams and smooth lakes.
Have A Great Day On The Shore!
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