Choosing the right wood is important; it’s not just a aesthetic decision to please the eye! The right amount of flex and weight in the paddle shaft and blade can reduce shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries as well as making it more comfortable when paddling long or multi-day trips.

Types of Wood:

AMERICAN ASH

American Ash is heavier than European ash and is a strong, stiff and hardwearing wood. The grain is tighter which makes the wood great for paddles. This is a harder wood than black walnut or cherry; its strength when mixed with black walnut or cherry gives a nice flexibility.

AMERICAN CHERRY

This is another great paddle wood being strong, flexible and hardwearing but a softer wood than ash or maple. It has stunning rich deep golden red tones and grain. It’s medium weight with great flexibility. When mixed with ash and maple it’s very strong, mixed with black walnut gives reduced flex.

BLACK WALNUT

A beautiful paddle wood with a lovely chocolate brown colour and often great grain patterns; another softer wood than ash and maple. It’s medium weight with great flexibility. When mixed with ash and maple it’s very strong with reduced flex, mixed with cherry it’s lighter and more flex.

MAPLE

Maple is a medium weight wood which is still stiff, it’s strong, flexible and hardwearing. The grain has a unique look. This wood is great for paddles, a harder wood than black walnut and cherry, but the strength when mixed with black walnut or cherry gives a strong slightly flexible feel.

SPECIAL WOODS

I have a limited supply of local wood English cherry, walnut, elm, sycamore and willow. These woods are all strong with different amounts of flex.

Willow has a ridiculous amount of flex with out breaking and is very light so when mixed with other woods I can achieve enormous flex and mega light paddles.

Willow