Paddle
A paddle is a tool, originally a propulsion implement for mixing or pushing against
liquids, typically in order to propel a
boat. Paddles for use in
canoes consist of a
wooden,
fibreglass or
metal rod with a handle on one end and a rigid sheet on the other end. Paddles for use in
kayaks are longer, with a blade on each end, and usually no handles.
The paddle is held with two hands, some distance apart from each other. For normal use, it is drawn through the water in a backwards direction. The two blades of a kayak paddle are dipped alternately on either side of the kayak.
Encyclopedia
A
paddle is a tool, originally a propulsion implement for mixing or pushing against
liquids, typically in order to propel a
boat. Paddles for use in
canoes consist of a
wooden,
fibreglass or
metal rod with a handle on one end and a rigid sheet on the other end. Paddles for use in
kayaks are longer, with a blade on each end, and usually no handles.
The paddle is held with two hands, some distance apart from each other. For normal use, it is drawn through the water in a backwards direction. 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. 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 or less in weight.
Paddles come in a wide variety of materials and designs. Paddles in which the blades are in-line when viewed from an axial standpoint are called "un-feathered" and ones such as in the image below 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 is likely feathered around 15 degrees. Many modern paddles can be adjusted by the user for feathered or unfeathered settings.
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