How to Feather a Kayak Paddle

Feathered kayak paddles were first created with the intent of decreasing air resistance against the blade. A feathered paddle has one blade offset at an angle from the other: A feathered paddle laying on the ground would have one blade resting flat while the other would be at an angle. Almost all kayak paddle manufacturers make adjustable paddle shafts, which allow for either simple feathering using a single setting spring button or multiple feathering options using an adjustable ferrule system.

Things You'll Need

• Two-piece kayak paddle

Instructions

Simple Feather

1. Grasp the paddle firmly with one hand on each side of the spring button, located at the midpoint of the paddle shaft.

2. Press the spring button with your thumb while simultaneously pulling the two halves of the paddle shaft apart.

3. Rotate the right half of the paddle shaft either forward or backward to lock into the next open button hole in that direction. If you rotate the shaft forward, the left paddle blade will feather. If you move the shaft backward, the right paddle blade will feather. Most right-handed people prefer to feather the right paddle blade, while left-handers prefer to feather the left paddle blade.

Adjustable Ferrule

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 from Section 1.

2. Find the small pointer arrow toward the inside edge of the right paddle shaft near the spring button, and the numbered notches that ring the inside edge of the left paddle shaft.

3. Rotate, with the two paddle ends loosely connected but not locked in place, the pointer arrow either forward or backward along the numbered notches. The number notches indicate, in 15-degree increments, the angle of the blade. If you rotate the shaft forward, the left paddle blade will feather to that angle. If you move the shaft backward, the right paddle blade will feather.

4. Slide the two halves of the paddle together to lock into place with the pointer aligning with the desired angle number.

Tips & Warnings

• First time paddlers often find it easier to learn the forward stroke with an non-feathered paddle.

• A higher feather angle pushes less air and creates less resistance, but a lower angle requires less wrist rotation. Choose an angle that is most comfortable for your style and frequency of paddling.

• Do not attempt to rotate the paddle halves while they are connected. Always make sure the spring button has been released to avoid damage.

• The closer to 90 degrees a paddle is feathered, the greater the strain on the wrist with repetitive paddle strokes

References

• Canoe & Kayak
• Epic Kayaks
• Shelley Johnson; Sea Kayaker's Handbook; 2002