I posted on breaking a paddle shaft during float re entry practice.I'm not finding claims, tests, or flack for paddle shaft strengths.
Of course testing paddle shafts is expensive but without merit for selling paddles ?
Is strength information available online ?
I haven't seen any 'breaking point' data on paddle shafts online. It's tough enough to get the manufacturers to be honest about paddle weights!
I think the general assumption (tested only by user experience, I think) is that most paddles are 'strong enough to do the job', but will break at some point if 'abused'.
A couple of 'rules of thumb' that I use:
One-piece paddles are stronger than ones with take-apart joints.
The cheaper and heavier the paddle type, the stronger/tougher. So an aluminum-shaft paddle is going to survive more abuse than a $500 carbon paddle, IMO.
You are not alone in breaking paddle shafts when doing self-rescue practice. I was at a (drop-in) pool session recently when somebody broke a paddle (Accent brand, 'Carbon Select' sold by MEC in Canada) right at the joint.
I think more paddles are damaged by being stepped on, than while paddling... (???)
And, as others have pointed out, the solution for self-rescue is to use 'better' technique rather than looking for an 'unbreakable' shaft support. Perhaps using a float with less flotation (foam vs inflatable) could reduce the paddle-breaking hazard (and force better technique- most foam floats will just sink if loaded with full body weight) , but IMO the foam floats are a poor second choice unless you want something you can grab while underwater to do an assisted roll (Now, that's a good 'trick' to practice!)
Messages In This Thread
- Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 4/27/2013, 8:49 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/27/2013, 12:23 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 4/27/2013, 8:20 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Mike Savage -- 4/28/2013, 6:42 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Brian Nystrom -- 4/29/2013, 6:39 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 4/29/2013, 9:06 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Brian Nystrom -- 5/1/2013, 7:17 am
- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
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risto -- 4/29/2013, 3:37 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 4/30/2013, 10:24 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Bill Hamm -- 5/1/2013, 1:42 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/1/2013, 7:12 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Bill Hamm -- 5/2/2013, 10:05 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/2/2013, 12:07 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Mike Savage -- 5/2/2013, 1:49 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Mark Vander Horck -- 5/2/2013, 2:13 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/4/2013, 11:43 pm
- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/6/2013, 9:28 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Mike Savage -- 5/6/2013, 2:28 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/6/2013, 7:37 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Roy Martin -- 5/6/2013, 7:51 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Bill Hamm -- 5/7/2013, 1:26 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Etienne Muller -- 5/7/2013, 4:00 am- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/7/2013, 8:03 am
- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
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Mike Savage -- 5/7/2013, 2:24 pm- Re: Paddle: PADDLE SHAFT STRENGTH TESTS
Gene -- 5/7/2013, 7:52 pm
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