Dragon boat paddles might all look very similar but there are key differences to consider when buying your first paddle or replacing your current paddle. Other than size, you want to consider the material (weight, stiffness, durability), handle, and blade. Each of these components will affect performance and price.
Material
Almost all dragon boat paddles are made from either wood, fibreglass, or carbon fibre. Traditionally, dragon boat paddles were exclusively made out of plies of wood. They are relatively durable but as the paddles begin to wear, the coating deteriorates and the edges of the paddle start splintering. Once this happens, the wood absorbs water and eventually gets moldy. Two materials would revolutionize the world of water sport paddles: fibreglass and carbon fibre. These materials are lightweight and very durable. Wooden paddles are still widely used by paddling clubs, indoor practice pools, and festivals because of the low cost but almost all paddlers choose fibreglass and carbon fibre for their personal paddles. We will explore the differences between these two materials:
Fibreglass Paddles
Offer an excellent balance between affordability and performance.
- Affordability: Fiberglass paddles are generally more budget-friendly compared to carbon fiber paddles, making them a popular choice among recreational paddlers.
- Versatility: Fiberglass paddles offer a good compromise between stiffness and flexibility, catering to a wide range of paddling styles and preferences.
- Light-to-Moderate Weight: While not as lightweight as carbon fiber, fiberglass paddles are still relatively lightweight, providing a comfortable paddling experience.
- Impact Resistance: Fiberglass is known for its excellent impact resistance. There is a reason why the dragon boats are made of the same material. It may chip but it is unlikely to crack, making it more forgiving than carbon fiber when encountering obstacles or rough conditions.
- Less Stiffness: Fiberglass is not as rigid as carbon fiber, which can result in slightly reduced power transfer and efficiency during paddling strokes.
- Increased Flex: Some paddlers might find the flex in fiberglass paddles undesirable, as it may require more effort to maintain a consistent stroke.
- Susceptibility to Wear: Although fiberglass is durable, it may be more prone to surface scratches and wear over time
Carbon Fibre Paddles
Known for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
- Lightweight: Carbon fiber paddles are incredibly lightweight, making them ideal for long-distance paddling or extended periods of use.
- Stiffness: Carbon fiber is stiffer than fiberglass, providing increased power and efficiency with each stroke.
- Durability: Carbon fiber is highly resistant to impacts, abrasions, and flexing, ensuring longevity even in demanding conditions.
- Performance: Carbon fiber's superior strength and stiffness contribute to enhanced performance, allowing paddlers to generate more power and paddle with greater precision.
- Reduced Fatigue: The lightness of carbon fiber paddles helps reduce fatigue and strain on the arms and shoulders, enabling longer paddling sessions.
- Cost: Carbon fiber paddles tend to be more expensive compared to fiberglass paddles due to the higher cost of manufacturing and materials.
- Brittle: While carbon fiber is highly durable, it can be more brittle than other materials. A severe impact or mishandling can lead to cracks or breakages, requiring proper care and maintenance.
- Less Flexibility: Some paddlers prefer a certain amount of flex in their paddles for a softer feel. Carbon fiber paddles tend to be stiffer, which increases power transfer efficiency but may not suit everyone's preferences
Choosing between carbon fiber and fiberglass boat paddles depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Carbon fiber paddles excel in terms of lightweight design, stiffness, and overall performance, but they come at a higher cost. On the other hand, fiberglass paddles offer affordability, versatility, and impact resistance, although they may lack the stiffness and lightweight nature of carbon fiber. We normally recommend fibreglass paddles for beginners and paddlers looking for a low cost option. Carbon fibre paddles are better suited for intermediate and advanced paddlers.
Handles
There are many handle options for dragon boat paddles. Your choice of handle comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for you. Here are a few types of handles:
T-Grip
Simple and effective. The T-grip handle is comfortable and easy to control with flat ends, allowing the paddler to push their thumb against the end of the handle to rotate and pry. This handle is not currently used on Apex paddles.
Molded T-Grip
A modified T-grip handle with molded finger grip and tapered ends for more comfort. This handle has an asymmetric grip that is only used in one orientation, which means the same face of the blade is always forward. The Apex Bravo paddle features the Molded T-Grip.
Ergo T-Grip
An ergonomic handle combining the best features of a T-grip and a palm grip. The slight arch and rounded ends provides maximum control while reducing strain during long paddle sessions. The Apex Alpha and Apex Carbon paddles feature the Ergo T-Grip.
Blades
Dragon boat paddle blades can be flat or dihedral. A flat blade has a completely flat power surface, which means you see a straight line when looking down the paddle blade. A dihedral blade has a ridge running down from the top of the blade (where the shaft begins) to midway down the blade. If you look down the dihedral blade, you will see a V-shape forming two-power faces.
A flat blade provides more power as it increases water resistance. This blade is easier to control and better suited for long races. The flat blade is featured on the Apex Alpha and the Apex Bravo paddles.
A dihedral blade provides a smoother and faster stroke but it can be harder to control. This blade is suitable for more experienced paddlers and fast racing.
A hybrid blade incorporates a flat blade with a slight rib down the blade to maximize power while reducing flutter. The hybrid blade is featured on the Apex Carbon paddles.