Ah, the age-old question, originally posed thousands of years ago when the first animal skins were stretched over tree branches to make paddles: Single-blade or double-blade?
OK, so ancient Native Americans and Inuits probably didn’t debate the superiority of one paddle over another, but modern-day paddlers certainly do. We chatted with Rock/Creek manager and avid paddler Daxton Bacalman about the pros and cons of the two.
“I think it really comes down to the comfort level of the person,” Bacalman says. “A double-bladed paddle is all about balance, but a single-bladed paddle gives you higher leverage and forces you to sit in a more aggressive position.”
Even though double-bladed paddles are more common among kayakers and single-blades are more common among open-boaters, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, Bacalman says. He’s even seen playboaters come in and ask for single-blade paddles. Ultimately, it comes down to preference.
If you’re a novice or first-timer, you might find a double-bladed paddle more comfortable. The mechanics of changing sides with a single-bladed paddle can be a bit much for beginners, and a double-blade lets you sit more comfortably in the center of your kayak or canoe.