Comments on: Contentious Backcountry Spare Paddle Guideline Divides Canoeist Community

By: Don

Don — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:24:30 +0000

Yes to spare paddle always for me.
Stuff happens, be prepared.
Happy Paddling.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:05:40 +0000

In reply to CountryboyinDC. You have that backwards, friend. Those who need a double bladed paddle are starting with 1/2 their skill missing.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:02:52 +0000

Do people who argue against bringing a spare also rail against seat belts too?

Some people’s thinking is incomprehensible.

By: Richard Heigl

Richard Heigl — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 19:24:31 +0000

Usually I hate answering a question with a question, but there’s never a firm rule, so…. why not carry an extra or a spare? Who knows, Perhaps the professional canoe instructor might lose one and I can give him my spare

By: Tom+Watson

Tom+Watson — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:46:35 +0000

Most sea kayakers carry a spare paddle, the question not being whether to or not, but should the “spare” be a cheapie, emergency paddle or an appropriate quality paddle equal to the one(s) you normally paddle. There are kayakers in both of those camps. Seems experience competes with ignorance and ego when it comes to deciding the spare canoe paddle question.

By: Donald Haines

Donald Haines — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:18:52 +0000

Yes! I have broken lots of paddles, and not the cheap ones. Sometimes you get unlucky and catch something on the bottom of a river or it gets away from you in a rapid.

I broke one on Lake Superior, several in Algonquin, and a couple in the NWT, but for some strange reason have never broken one close to home.

You do anything long enough and things will go wrong. Sometimes it’s just fatigue from years of paddling. It might be the law to carry a spare, but it’s also common sense.

BTW, I don’t plan on getting a flat in my car, but I have a spare tire and a pump.

By: Colin Whitehead ORCKA instructor level 2B

Colin Whitehead ORCKA instructor level 2B — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:54:35 +0000

I only have 8 paddles but they are slightly different.
As I’m an instructor of some age I wouldn’t go on the water without 2 paddles.
a) if I’m tripping I like to have a long blade and a short blade paddle for obvious reasons.
b) another other time I feel that I should be demonstrating the best procedures I can. Hence cycling I always wearing a helmet although by law I don’t have to but I do because it make sense but also it helps encourage others that it the right thing to do.
I’m just a bit concerned that an instructor would say he would never carry a spare paddle and wonder about his paddling education. Never is a strong word and I hope I’m not in a group paddle with that person.

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 09:56:51 +0000

Anyone who believes there is only one way to do anything is not a good instructor. There are many varied reasons for losing a paddle, it does not make you a bad kayaker. I am just at the start of my journey and know I need a better paddle, as when I can up grade the one that came with the kayak will become a spare. Luckily I always have a paddle partner who could help in an emergency for now.

By: George

George — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 21:42:43 +0000

In reply to CountryboyinDC. And its usually the wrong shape, i.e, unlike a Greenland paddle

By: Ron Vlaskamp

Ron Vlaskamp — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 03:07:50 +0000

Spare paddle? Of course. First, to that “certified canoe instructor,” remind me to never take a course from that blowhard. Anyone who says there’s ONE way to do anything when it comes to paddling (other than leaving the campsite better than you found it) cannot be a good teacher. But I digress. Spare paddle? In short, a pro move. Let me count the ways: A different paddle gives you posture breaks (I’ll swap out back and forth during a race.) Yes, a paddle can break. In tricky whitewater it can catch between two rocks and your speed could cause you to lose it, so grab your spare and your buddy trailing you will pick up your first one. Last, among family you can’t have favorites, so bring ’em both. Fun article.