Hand Paddles Kayaking Glossary from Schmeg.com

   

Contemporary Hand Paddles Kayaking Glossary:

Blade - The lowest, widest part of the paddle, used for maximum resistance.

Blade Taper - A loss of thickness from top to bottom and from center to edges of the blade.

Catch - The absolute beginning of the stroke, when the tip of the paddle makes contact with the water.

Catch Side - That side which hits the water first, facing the paddler, or the stern of the canoe.

Concave - Inward, (from flat) or slightly sunken, surface.

Convex - Outward, (from flat) or slightly bulged surface.

Corners - Lower right and left portions of the blade, between the side edges and the tip.

Exit - The point at which the stroke ends and the blade is abruptly removed from the water.

Far Side - That side of the paddle, away from the paddler, facing the bow.

Finger Relief Area - The concave surface on the far side of the top grip.

Flat - The catch side of the blade, void of change. Neither convex, nor concave.

Pressure Range - That submerged part of the stroke, between the catch and the exit, that propels the craft.

Shaft - The long, oval tube connecting the top grip and the blade of the paddle.

Shaft Taper - A loss of diameter in the shaft from blade to top grip.

Shoulders - The upper part of the blade, just below the transition area.

Stroke - A process of maneuvers, where a craft is slid past a planted paddle.

Stroke Tail - The latter part of the low pressure range, preceding the exit.

Thumb Relief Area - The lower underside of the top grip.

Top Grip - Uppermost part of the paddle, attached to the top of the shaft.

Transition Area - The shaft-to-blade area, which is neither blade nor shaft.

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