To Feather or Not To Feather, That is the Question

by

by Bert Millar

If you were to look around when paddling with groups you would notice that most people use feathered paddles. A feathered paddle is one where each blade is oriented at a different angle than the opposite blade usually between 60 and 90 degrees so that when the power side is in the water and moving toward the rear of the boat the non-power side, which is moving forward, is at right angles to the air and slicing through the headwind instead of pushing air. Sounds like a definite advantage, but is it? It would be if all we did was paddle into headwinds but fortunately wind and waves come from all different directions and rise and fall at the whim of Mother Nature. If you were to ask most novice kayakers why they feather their paddle they would answer that it’s because everyone else does so it must be the right thing to do … mmm. Let’s look into this further.

I will list below some pros and cons regarding feathering in order to encourage people to give it some thought before they decide which way to go.

ADVANTAGES OF A FEATHERED PADDLE

  1. Blade angle in the air provides less wind resistance in strong headwinds but only if the feather angle is between 60 and 90 degrees. It is only an advantage when you are actively paddling and the paddle is in motion.
  2. Some Olympic racing kayakers like feathered paddles, not because of the wind advantage but because it reinforces torso rotation.

ADVANTAGES OF AN UNFEATHERED PADDLE

  1. Biomechanically it is less likely to cause wrist stress injury or repetitive motion injury because you are not twisting the power blade into position for every stroke. (However some kayakers suffering from wrist pain report that the twisting motion necessary for feathered paddling actually gives some relief so that means that everyone’s body and injury is unique and may respond to different cures.)
  2. Lets you have a stronger stroke with wrist inline for pushing the non-power blade forward.
  3. Consistent blade position for bracing on the water on either side.
  4. Blade angle in the air has much less tendency to try to rip itself out of your hands or capsize you in a strong beam wind.
  5. Blade angle in the air is an advantage in tailwinds.
  6. Easier to brace across another kayak for multiple kayak rafting or rescues.
  7. Easier for most beginners to learn paddle stroke techniques
  8. Fits kayak deck contour better for standard kayak entry or exit braces from shore or dock.
  9. Fits kayak deck contour better for paddle float rescues.
  10. Inboard blade clears kayak bottom more easily during eskimo roll set-up and paddle sweep.
  11. Parallel blades slice through very large waves or surf with less paddle twist.
  12. Parallel blades make it simpler to set up for a roll on either side of the kayak. (One less thing to think about when upside down and gasping for air, and one key to successful eskimo rolling is simplicity.)

Some people may suggest that they could paddle feathered into a headwind and unfeathered for beam or tailwinds. Sounds good on paper but bracing, sculling and rolling have to be instinctive, split-second reactions so it’s much better to burn one blade angle into your muscle memory and stick with it.

I hope these suggestions will give paddlers something to ponder and then make an educated decision regarding which way they would like to snap their paddle together. But the most important thing is to get out there and paddle with your friends, develop your skills, enjoy the wind, waves and scenery; but do it now because the meter of life is ticking. Paddle on.

This article appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of QAYAQ

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RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

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