A whitewater paddle is the tool you use to move and steer a kayak through moving water. If you're new to this, here's everything you need to know before you look at a single product.
The only two questions that actually matter
1. What length do you need? This depends on your height and the width of your boat, nothing else on this page. If you don't know your length yet, don't guess, just ask us and we'll figure it out with you.
2. How much do you want to spend? That's really the main decision here. More expensive paddles are lighter and more comfortable over a long day. Less expensive paddles do the same basic job, they're just a bit heavier. Neither one is the "wrong" choice, especially when you're just starting out.
Everything else is just extra detail, not a decision you need to make yet
You'll see words on this page like blade, shaft, one-piece, two-piece, MCQ, Elite, Ergo. None of these are things you need to understand before buying your first paddle. They're details that matter more once you've been paddling a while and start to develop your own preferences. For now, it's completely fine to ignore all of them.
One thing worth knowing
This page is specifically for whitewater kayak paddles, the kind used in a single kayak on river rapids. If you're looking for gear for canoeing or for competitive racing, those are different products, just ask and we'll point you the right way.
Paddle Sizing Chart
