Kids' whitewater

You’ll see there’s a lot of overlap in the sizes we suggest, as your choice comes down to your unique style. You can order a custom length if you want something in between.

The best way to find your style is to test out different combinations for yourself, through one of our retailers or demo events. The adjustable split paddles are also a great option to try out different length and feather combinations.

What do you use your paddle for most? Freestyle + surfing paddles are shorter than river running + creeking paddles. Speed and precision are more important than leverage for surfing and a shorter paddle helps keep the non-active paddle blade from catching water when surfing steep waves. But paddles which are this short will be inefficient for other styles of paddling. Do you plan to use your paddle for both surfing and river running? Then sizing up might be a good compromise, or choose a split paddle that can be extended.

Do you want to try out different styles or do you paddle several different boats? Consider an adjustable two-piece paddle so you can change the length and blade angle on the go to suit you. VE adjustable two-piece paddles can be extended by up to 10 cm in length and can be adjusted to any blade angle.

How wide is the kayak you normally use? A slightly longer paddle may make it easier to reach the water in a wide kayak with a high knee height. Conversely if your kayak is particularly narrow like a half slice you may want a slightly shorter paddle.

How long is the kayak you normally use? A long paddle will trace a longer arc in the water, slowing your cadence and giving you more leverage, good for long boats with high hull speed. You can reach the top speed of a short boat with a few quick, short power strokes, so no need for a long paddle.

Paddle length and blade size are similar to gears in a car or bike: A longer paddle or bigger blade is like a higher gear, potentially a higher top speed but more effort and time needed to get to that speed.

A bigger blade will ‘grip’ the water firmer than a smaller blade, which you may find fatiguing or overpowering.

Our most popular blade angle is thirty degrees (right handed), the second most popular is forty-five degrees and the zero degree paddles have a following with some freestylers who like to push on both blades at once to loop. Other angles and left-handed are available custom made.

The size chart is for paddles for kids kayaks (narrower than a small adult kayak). If the kayak is too big for the paddler (it happens, buying kids kayaks that they will grow out of is a commitment) then a longer paddle will be useful so they can reach the water.

The Wisp has a smaller blade, which also has a smaller diameter shaft, less fatiguing for smaller paddlers. If the Wisp is not for you then another model with a smaller blade size may be suitable and similarly a short paddle length.