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Performance Kayaking: The Ultimate Guide to Paddling Faster and Farther



Citation: Romagnoli C, Gatta G, Lamouchideli N, Bianco A, Loddo S, Alashram AR, Bonaiuto V, Annino G and Padua E (2022) Specificity of weightlifting bench exercises in kayaking sprint performance: A perspective for neuromuscular training. Front. Physiol. 13:898468. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.898468




Performance Kayaking




The difficulty in selecting a touring kayak in 2023 is narrowing it down to just one. You need to be careful in selecting a touring kayak that suits your size, planned distances, water types, and experience. You can easily find yourself looking at boats 12'-18', but the right touring boat for you will be different if you are looking for a multi-hour day trip versus a week-long sea kayaking expedition. Fortunately, there are some remarkable touring kayak brands. So if you're not ready to compare model to model, you should get familiar with the best touring kayak brands like:


You might also look at the Delta 14 or Delta 15s. The Delta 14 is a versatile touring kayak ideal for multi-day adventures and day trips alike, whereas the Delta 15s is an ideal choice for small- and medium-sized paddlers seeking a performance kayak with great cruising speed, exceptional tracking and superior edging


With substantial rocker and a moderately concave sidewall, the Delta 16 edges with satisfying bite, and turns on a dime. At 16 feet, its performance envelope is best explored by a medium-sized paddler. Features include a low-profile front day hatch, Press-Lock hatches, our Contour II Seat System, and optional rudder or spring-loaded skeg.


The Equinox melds the comfort of recreational kayaks and the performance of a true sea kayak. The efficient hull and hard chines provide stability and glide, while tracking well and turning with ease. An ample cockpit is equipped with thigh braces for excellent control and hip pads and thigh pads for comfort. An adjustable Infinity Seat helps the Equinox fit a wide range of paddlers.


Searching for the best touring kayak paddle on the market? After researching the 50 most popular two-piece kayak paddles, we picked 14 of our favorites and spent over 100 hours rigorously testing them side by side. We toured for many miles with these paddles, analyzing their feel, performance, and quality of construction. We ventured across lakes, meandered through meadows, and endured high winds and waves. We pushed these paddles to their limits (and slightly beyond) to identify the pros and cons of each design. We got to know them exceptionally well and pass on our findings to help you select the best paddle for your next kayaking adventure.


The Wilderness System Pungo Glass is a quality performance paddle with the added benefit of being exceptionally easy to adjust. Utilizing a carbon blend shaft and fiberglass blades, this paddle is lightweight and transfers a lot of power without being too stiff on the joints. The mid-sized dihedral blade suits various paddling styles and experience levels, making this paddle a popular choice among all our testers. The Pungo Glass was upstaged in pure paddling performance by only the most elite full-carbon models, which also retail for considerably higher prices.


The easy-to-use Lever Lock connection system offers the Pungo more adjustability than your average paddle and is one feature that helps this model stand out from the crowd. Users can choose the length of the shaft AND the feather of the blades, all with the easy flip of a lever. The Pungo is cost-effective, high quality, and serves a wide variety of kayaking needs.


We gave the Bending Branches Whisper accolades as an economical paddle that allowed aspiring kayakers to get out on the water regardless of their budget. The polypropylene paddle blades are durable and withstand significant use or abuse, even in rocky conditions. Despite the low price point, we still felt this paddle delivered a dependable performance and would be willing to lend it to our friends for their first outings in a kayak.


The aluminum shaft made the Whisper paddle much heavier than the top-performing paddles. However, compared to paddles of a similar price bracket, it falls in the lighter category. The flex in the plastic blades resulted in a less efficient transfer of power, which concerned the performance athletes in our testing group. Overall the design is nothing to write home about, but it is sufficient enough that you can use this paddle on your kayaking adventures. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts who want to get out on the water to explore but are not concerned about having a performance paddle will be grateful to have such an affordable option.


The Werner Kalliste took the lead for its exceptional performance, airy feel, and all-around high scores across all our testing metrics. The paddle boasts an ultra-lightweight full carbon construction coupled with a buoyant blade design. With this winning combination, it feels effortless to execute powerful, smooth paddle strokes, even after many miles of touring. The lightweight and efficient design will save you energy and keep you out on the water longer.


This paddle is worth treating well. The carbon construction is durable, but not immune to the impact of blunt force trauma. Used as intended, this can be the last paddle you ever purchase. It may cost almost half as much as your kayak, but if you take care of it, you will find the price justifiable. Beginners and experts alike will see an immediate difference in their kayaking style and enjoyment when using the Kalliste. The paddle is exquisitely balanced, encouraging a naturally smooth and powerful cadence in every stroke. The Kalliste is the paddle that makes you fall in love with kayaking all over again.


After using the paddle multiple times, we noticed that the two pieces became challenging to dismantle or adjust. The snap button adjustment point is often jammed and sensitive to any grit or sand. We noticed this issue on all the paddles with a similar snap-button locking system. Although this would not prevent us from using the Magic Plus, it is something to consider if you expect to dismantle it regularly for travel. Overall, this paddle provided a solid performance for almost half the price of our top contenders. It's heavy, but if you are not concerned about additional weight and are looking for a reliable and affordable paddle, the Carlisle Magic Plus is the one for you.


We research the most promising kayak touring paddles each year and purchase the best to put them to the test. Since 2018 we have tested 14 different kayak paddles and categorized our testing data and observations into five different performance metrics, making an effort to quantify metrics when feasible in order to be as consistent and objective as possible. For example, we tested locking mechanism security by handing paddles to blindfolded paddlers and allowing them to handle and use them without touching the center of the shaft; the paddles that felt like one piece scored higher.


Multi-discipline paddler, coach, and educator Sara James authored this review. She is a well-rounded adventurer with a 15+ year background in paddle sports, including touring kayaking, Class V whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and squirt boating. Sara has covered thousands of miles in different kayaks worldwide, including guiding and safety kayaking on river trips in France, Nepal, California, and the Zambezi, Zambia. Her other passion is education, and on top of working as a high school teacher, she is an instructor for California Watersports Collective. Having watched hundreds of kayakers learn to paddle, she is confident she has an eye for what works. She supplements her expertise with feedback from her adult and youth students as well as elite kayaking professionals. Sara also tests the best kayak, best PFDs, best life jackets, and best dry bags for GearLab.


The Wilderness System Pungo Glass includes high-end materials, including durable fiberglass composite blades and a carbon-blend shaft, resulting in an excellent product, but a decent price tag. The Performance award winner, the Werner Kalliste, is even more taxing on the budget but engineered with the highest quality design and materials. In exchange, it delivers unrivaled performance and an exceptional feel. There are several options available if you need an option that will get you out on the water without making that big of a dent in your wallet. The Werner Baja stands out for its outstanding value coupled with a solid performance across all metrics. Chasing close behind the Carlisle Magic Plus, Bending Branches Whisper and Badfish Custom offer competitive value.


We based 40% of each paddle's score on performance, making it our most heavily weighted testing metric. If you are a beginner kayaker or use your kayak as a means to enjoy another hobby, such as birdwatching or fishing, this metric may not be as relevant to you, as weight or ease of adjustment. However, as you spend more time in your kayak, you will quickly feel the difference between a high-performance paddle and a budget option.


Although flex in the paddle blade does not equate with higher performance, a slight flex in the shaft delivers a more comfortable stroke and improved efficiency. Therefore, we prefer paddles with a carbon or fiberglass shaft over those with a more rigid aluminum shaft.


Offering the option to adjust the feather of the blades and the length of the paddle, Wilderness Systems provides the ultimate adjustment system. The LeverLock employs a simple lever-lock mechanism that is adequately sized and easy for paddlers to use even when their dexterity is challenged. This system enables the paddler to release a plunger washer that keeps the paddle pieces locked tight together when tightened. The result is a paddle performance that feels uncompromised and exceptionally secure.


The easiest adjustment systems to use also feel the most secure to paddle with. Good design can make a product user-friendly and improve performance. The security of each paddle's locking mechanism accounted for 20% of its score. 2ff7e9595c


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