Important Parts of a Paddle Board
A paddle has a close resemblance to an oar. The only difference is that paddles can have one or two blades while oars have a single blade. Stand up paddles have a single place too. Oars are attached to the boat and are used for rowing while paddles are free standing. Blades are the wide flat surface on one end of a paddle attached to a shaft which is the long pole-like part where you hold the paddle. On the other end of the shaft, there is a grip. There are different types of grips; symmetric palm grip, asymmetric palm grip and T-grip which is widely used in white waters. A paddle’s height should be higher than yours. There should be at least a six-inch difference between your height and the paddle length.
Deck
This is the upper part of a paddle. It holds the deck pad, which is the part where you stand on. It should be made of a comfortable material such as foam or rubber since you will be standing for a long time and in case you fall, you won't get hurt. It should not be slippery since you are in water. Some manufacturers are going the extra mile and adding extra grip on the parts where your legs lie to avoid slipping. The size of the deck determines the activities you can undertake and the number of people on board. Inflatable sup are often larger and can carry two people. The density of the deck is crucial in determining the weight capacity. Thick boards can handle more weight. You don't need to worry about the weight or width; they will be given by manufacturers under product description.
Nose
This is the front part of your paddle. It can be pointed or curved. Paddles with a pointed nose are faster than other shapes because they can cut through waves faster. These should be used by professionals. Beginners should opt for an oval nose as they are much easier to control.
Other accessories
Leash – It is a cord that ties you to the paddle so that in case you fall off, you don't lose the paddle. A leash can be coiled or just standard. Its length should be the same as the board length.
Buoyancy aids – In case of an emergency, these keep you afloat until help comes your way. Ensure your aids meet the approved standards.
Bungee straps – These help you keep your personal equipment like mobile phones safe from water. They can be either on the front or the back of the stand up paddle.
Board bag – This is usually for inflatable stand up paddles. It is for carrying around the board when not in use. When deflated, the blade is much smaller and can be folded to fit in a bag. Some come with straps where you can wrap your deflated paddle instead of a bag.
A paddle has a close resemblance to an oar. The only difference is that paddles can have one or two blades while oars have a single blade. Stand up paddles have a single place too. Oars are attached to the boat and are used for rowing while paddles are free standing. Blades are the wide flat surface on one end of a paddle attached to a shaft which is the long pole-like part where you hold the paddle. On the other end of the shaft, there is a grip. There are different types of grips; symmetric palm grip, asymmetric palm grip and T-grip which is widely used in white waters. A paddle’s height should be higher than yours. There should be at least a six-inch difference between your height and the paddle length.
Deck
This is the upper part of a paddle. It holds the deck pad, which is the part where you stand on. It should be made of a comfortable material such as foam or rubber since you will be standing for a long time and in case you fall, you won't get hurt. It should not be slippery since you are in water. Some manufacturers are going the extra mile and adding extra grip on the parts where your legs lie to avoid slipping. The size of the deck determines the activities you can undertake and the number of people on board. Inflatable sup are often larger and can carry two people. The density of the deck is crucial in determining the weight capacity. Thick boards can handle more weight. You don't need to worry about the weight or width; they will be given by manufacturers under product description.
Nose
This is the front part of your paddle. It can be pointed or curved. Paddles with a pointed nose are faster than other shapes because they can cut through waves faster. These should be used by professionals. Beginners should opt for an oval nose as they are much easier to control.
Other accessories
Leash – It is a cord that ties you to the paddle so that in case you fall off, you don't lose the paddle. A leash can be coiled or just standard. Its length should be the same as the board length.
Buoyancy aids – In case of an emergency, these keep you afloat until help comes your way. Ensure your aids meet the approved standards.
Bungee straps – These help you keep your personal equipment like mobile phones safe from water. They can be either on the front or the back of the stand up paddle.
Board bag – This is usually for inflatable stand up paddles. It is for carrying around the board when not in use. When deflated, the blade is much smaller and can be folded to fit in a bag. Some come with straps where you can wrap your deflated paddle instead of a bag.