Paddle

Paddle

A paddle is a tool used for pushing against liquids, either as a form of propulsion in a boat or as an implement for mixing.

Canoe/Kayak Paddles

Materials and designs

Paddles commonly used in canoes consist of a wooden, fibreglass carbon fiber or metal rod (the "shaft") with a handle on one end and a rigid sheet (the "blade") on the other end. Paddles for use in kayaks are longer, with a blade on each end; they are handled from the middle of the shaft.

Kayak paddles having blades in the same plane (when viewed down the shaft) are called "un-feathered." Paddles with blades in different planes (such as in the image) are called "feathered". Feathered paddles are measured by the degree of feather, such as 30, 45, or even 90 degrees. The paddle in the image to the right is feathered around 15 degrees. Many modern paddles can be adjusted by the user for feathered or unfeathered settings. The shaft is normally straight but in some cases a 'crank' is added with the aim of making the paddle more comfortable and reducing the strain on the wrist. Because the kayak paddle is not supported by the boat, paddles made of lighter materials are desired, it is not uncommon for a kayak paddle to be two pounds (32 ounces) or less in weight.

Use

The paddle is held with two hands, some distance apart from each other. For normal use, it is drawn through the water from front (bow) to back (stern) to drive the boat forwards. The two blades of a kayak paddle are dipped alternately on either side of the kayak. A paddle is distinguished from an oar in that the paddle is held in the user's hands and completely supported by the paddler, whereas an oar is primarily supported by the boat.

Other types

On mechanical paddle steamers, the motorized paddling is not done with a mass of paddles or oars but by rotating one or a few paddle wheels (rather the inverse of a water mill)

Racing paddles also have special designs. They are generally less flat and are curved to catch more water which will enable racing paddlers to maximize the efficiency of their stroke.

Paddle shifters are special kinds of paddles since it is used in cars equipped with a semi-automatic transmission. They are operated back and forth.

External links

ee also

Canoe#Paddle_strokes


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Paddle — Pad dle, n. [See {Paddle}, v. i.] 1. An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats. [1913 Webster] 2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paddle — paddle1 [pad′ l] n. [ME padell, small spade < ?] 1. a relatively short pole with a broad blade at one end or sometimes both ends, held in the hands and used to propel and steer a canoe, kayak, etc.: cf. OAR 2. any of various implements shaped… …   English World dictionary

  • Paddle — Pad dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paddled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Paddling}] 1. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently. [Obsolescent] [1913 Webster] To be paddling palms and pinching fingers. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To propel with, or as with, a paddle or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paddle — Paddle (устройство «колесо»)  аналоговый игровой контроллер, использовавшийся в ранних видеоигровых системах, таких как Pong. Он представляет собой пластиковый корпус с установленным внутри него переменным резистором, снабжённым декоративной …   Википедия

  • paddle — Ⅰ. paddle [1] ► NOUN 1) a short pole with a broad blade at one or both ends, used to propel a small boat through the water. 2) a paddle shaped implement for stirring or mixing. 3) a short handled bat such as that used in table tennis. 4) each of… …   English terms dictionary

  • Paddle — Pad dle, v. i. [Prob. for pattle, and a dim. of pat, v.; cf. also E. pad to tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to walk with short steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash, dash, dabble, F. patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a paw. [root]21.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paddle — (ingl.; pronunc. [pádel]) m. Juego de pelota semejante al tenis, que se juega con paletas de madera en una pista más pequeña y con la red más baja. ≃ Pádel. Paddle tenis. Paddle. * * * paddle. (Voz ingl.). m. Juego de pelota entre cuatro paredes …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Paddle —   [dt. »Schaufel«, »Paddel«], älteres Eingabegerät, das einem Joystick ähnelte und sich für bestimmte einfache Spiele eignete. Im Unterschied zum Joystick konnte ein Paddle nur Bewegungen in einer einzigen Richtung kontrollieren; dies geschah… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • paddle — [n] item used for propelling object oar, paddlewheel, pole, propeller, pull, scull, sweep; concepts 479,499 paddle [v] propel with arms or tool boat, cruise, cut water*, drift, drive, navigate, oar, pull, row, run rapids*, scull, sky an oar*,… …   New thesaurus

  • paddle — → pádel …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • paddle — (Voz ingl.). m. Juego de pelota entre cuatro paredes, en el que aquella se golpea con una pala de mango corto …   Diccionario de la lengua española

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