Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I did not want to wait to order a set of hand paddles, so I set out to make my own. I am sure others of you have done this already, but I thought I would do a short write up in case someone else is interested.

1 - 5 gallon plastic paint bucket
2 - 8" x 8" pieces of 1/8" or 1/4" thick minicell foam
2' 3/4" wide velcro tape (looks like this http://cableorganizer.com/panduit/tak-ty-strips-rolls/)
Weldwood

I made a template on a piece of paper for the size of paddle I wanted and where I wanted the velcro strap to attach. I then transferred it to the bucket and cut it out. I used steel snips to cut the bucket, good scissors or a utility knife would work too. I cut the mount holes for the velcro with the utility knife.

I then used the Weldwood to glue the minicell to the plastic. Once it was dry, I trimed off the excess foam and fed the velcro into the paddle.

They are not pretty but should get the job done. It took about an hour and $5 in parts, since I already had some Weldwood at home.

Nice! Are you taking orders?

They worked pretty good in the pool tonight.

If I get some free time this weekend, I'll make a few extra sets with my leftover parts.

If I were you I would make a set that has slightly more surface area (if you intend to use them for paddling). I bought a set of the "creeking whatevers" because I have a pro-deal and they were cheap, but they're a LOT bigger than that and I love them as a back-up since I'm too cheap to buy a break-down right now and they fit so nicely in my Jefe. I've paddled with them a bunch on the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas between 1k-2,500 cfs (wouldn't want to use them above that myself, but I'm a wuss and like POWER)

That being said, as far as making them yourself, I've been a part of similar operations several times and 75% were made from 50 Gallon drums (usually like $15 for enough plastic to make 8-10 sets of hand-paddles). The plastic from the drums might be a little more rigid, I dunno. The other 25% I have witnessed being born were made from the hulls of broken boats. It all works.

You may want to think about adding a loop big enough to put your middle-finger and ring-finger through. That will add better contact to the "paddle" and reduce the amount of movement when taking a stroke in current.

Those look sweet! Let us know how they work on some moving water!! :)



--Zach

Thanks for the tips Zach! My initial goal was just to make a small paddle to help me learn my hand roll. After trying to paddle around a bit, I can easily see how a larger paddle size would be beneficial.

I'm thinking I will try to make a set this weekend with the main plastic curve going the other direction.

Sculling will be a lot easier with the paddle not cutting down into the water.

Regud wrote:I'm thinking I will try to make a set this weekend with the main plastic curve going the other direction.

Sculling will be a lot easier with the paddle not cutting down into the water.

Yep, mine have more curvature on the wrist side than they do going away from my finger-tips. It definitely helps grab more water when I'm trying to take a forward stroke. Good luck!

If you're just trying to hand roll, you might try just holding on to an old golf disk. I can roll all day with a golf disk but the hand roll still escapes me. I can get OHHHHH so close, and then flop back over. Just a thought.

~Dave