How to Choose a Dragon Boat Paddle

Choosing a paddle can be a nightmare 

I guess choosing the right dragon boat paddle for your own individual needs is no less important than choosing which colour of the next oakley shades you're gonna buy. There are a variety of dragon boat paddles that range from many different prices and materials that you can choose from. Yet, the most important considerations would have to be your skill and style, Strength and Fitness and of course your budget. 

You can be sure that no two paddles that you try out while shopping for one will be the same and it's performance can vary tremendously based on the individual. You can always base on the few guidelines that we will be looking into and that we have to seriously consider before you make your virgin purchase of your paddle.


First and foremost, you should understand your current skill level which will largely predetermine your needs. Many fall into the trap of getting too much than they have to just because everyone is using it. That shouldn't be the case. Consider your involvement in the sport; are you a recreational paddler who only trains once a week? or a competitive paddler who makes the effort to train at least twice a week in the water. or a Racer who trains multiple sessions in a week where performance is a key success factor in your sport.

 Evaluating your team's paddling style may also determine the type of paddle you should buy. Are they top arm dominant, or rotation dominant team? Do you paddle with a high angle paddling style or a low angle? These styles I will talk about in another post and yet people do not seem to imagine how important these can mean. 

Your strength and fitness plays a big role in choosing the right paddle. Stronger paddlers who have mastered the basics and well conditioned would prefer a paddle with a good strong to weight ratio can aim for lighter paddles since they are able to withstand the forces exerted on such paddles better. Lighter and more novice paddler will want more weight in their paddles to compensate for the lack of strength exerted on their paddles for a start before moving on to paddles with higher strength to weight ratios. Heavier paddles will reduce the wear and tear of your joints due to fatigue after long hours of paddling. Comfort of the paddle can also be a factor in your choice as many handles and shafts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your hands. 

Then again your primary choice of paddle depends largely on your budget constraints as well. Many however, go for the best their money can buy but perform poorly at the fundamentals as I have mentioned many times in my previous articles. 

I'd hope for a better future where people can understand the relevance of buying the right paddle because it is not always about the paddle but the paddler himself. A good paddler will be able to adjust to the paddle that he uses regardless of the conditions he is placed in. Guess what, you can use a wooden paddle and be just as good or better. Speak to your teammates or even drop me a comment to see if you would want to share which paddles are the best in the market right now. Or the paddles you are using.
Cheers!

For more tips on choosing your paddle, go on to the advanced guide here! How to Choose a paddle Part 2