The paddle is probably the most important piece of equipment you will buy. Saving a few pounds here is false economy, quality and comfort are king. A good paddle is expensive, but it should last you many years if looked after. 

Here are a few points to help choose the right paddle for you:

Primary variables

1. Blade size (area)

2. Paddle length (tip to tip)

3. Shaft stiffness

Secondary variables

1. Blade shape

2. Shaft section (oval/round)

3. Feather angle

Blade size
Blades range from 600 cm sq. to 840 cm sq. The physics tells us that a bigger blade can increase load, which in turn increases speed. However, as the user you have to be able to efficiently resist the loading on the blade through your body. In reality the smaller the blade the easier this is to do. 

The key point in choosing a paddle is selecting the size blade suitable for your current ability.

There is very little penalty to under-sizing a blade (beyond the first 20 strokes) and a significant penalty for oversizing it.

Using a paddle that is too big will increase your chances of early fatigue, injury and inefficiency.

As a rough guide, the strongest women in the world (those who can chin-up twice their body weight and finish a 500m in around 1.47) use a blade around 780 for sprint events. 

If you are not competing at this level, however strong you think you are,  you are not this strong!!

Paddle length
Paddle length is perhaps slightly easier to gauge for most people.

The age-old estimate of being able to reach up and curl your fingers over the top of the paddle is a reasonable starting point. 

This method may not be accurate however if you are over about 6ft 2" or under 5ft 2". 
The shortest you would want to go with a wing paddle is 190cm and the longest is 220cm (at its shortest).  

This bizarrely accurate formula also works for those within the standard height range.

(252+height in cm)/2 +1.5

Nearly all paddles these days come with either 5 or 10cm adjustment so if you are in doubt, buy a paddle with a bit of wriggle room either side of what you think may be your destination length.

Also remember paddles can always be shortened but we can't lengthen them!

Shaft stiffness
Current thinking is that stiffer shafts give better transfer of power to the blade.
This is not however a universal view.  

Top end sprinters tend to use stiff shafts, as do many top end marathon racers.  

Factors that may mean you want to move up the scale of flexibility in your paddle shaft include:

• Joint pains/injuries

• Athlete still growing

• Long distance events (25k plus)

• Ocean use

• Weaker athletes

• Athletes with poor technical skills.

Secondary Variables

1) Blade shape: Historically this has been dictated by fashion, however some people are more comfortable with some blades than others. I would suggest that a blade which feels stable in the water is the one that suits you. A paddle that wants to dictate to you is not a good choice. A paddle you can control with minimal effort is the way to go.

Tear drop: Probably the most common type of shape. Braca 1 and 4 is the industry standard and comes in all sizes.  

Twisted blades: Becoming increasingly popular: Jantex Gamma Braca 11 shape.  

Straight or parallel sided: Possibly considered old school now. Lettmann and Jantex Alpha. The world appears to have moved on from these.

2) Shaft section: Paddle shafts are generally round, but some are oval which some paddlers like as they feel it "locates" the shaft in their hands better. Location bumps can also be added to round shafts if the user feels they want to go that way.
Currently only Epic offer the oval shaft in our range.

3) Feather angle: There is ongoing debate over feather angle: However all our paddles are available as adjustable angle so you can choose that yourself on whatever paddle you buy.

The table below is a general guide to help you choose the right shaft stiffness for your paddle. It isn’t definitive and we can make you a paddle that falls outside these suggestions. If you’re considering an option outside these guidelines, we recommend getting in touch with us first to ensure it is what you need.

The table below is a general guide to help you choose the right blade size for your paddle. It isn’t definitive and we can make you a paddle that falls outside these suggestions. If you’re considering an option outside these guidelines, we recommend getting in touch with us first to ensure it is what you need.

Delivery

Processing Time – Paddles
All paddles are custom assembled by Ivan. We aim to have paddles made and dispatched within 7–10 days of ordering. If production is likely to take longer, we will contact you.

If you require a paddle urgently, please get in touch and we will do our best to prioritise your order.

Paddles are shipped via APC Parcel Service or Parcelforce 48 and require a signature on delivery.

Processing Time – Parts
Parts orders are usually processed and dispatched within 3 business days. Shipping is via Royal Mail 48 Hour or APC Parcel Service, with delivery typically taking 2–3 days. 

If your order is urgent, please let us know and we will do our best to expedite dispatch.

Shipping Restrictions
Paddles and Nelo parts are shipped within the United Kingdom only.
Nelo, Jantex, Braca and Epic products are available through authorised dealers worldwide. We are authorised to sell within the UK only.

International Featherweight Orders
International shipments may be subject to additional VAT, import duties and customs clearance charges. These fees vary by country and are outside of our control.

Return and Exchange Policy

Parts
We want you to feel confident with your purchase. If something doesn’t work out, most parts can be returned for a refund or exchange (minus shipping) within 30 days of delivery. Parts must in their original condition.

You can return your item in either of the following ways:

• Send or bring it to:
  Ultimate Kayaks
  47 Chobham Rd. 
  Ottershaw 
  KT160QE
• Arrange to return it in person at an event (just coordinate this with us ahead of time).

Return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility unless the part is defective or we made a mistake. Once we receive and inspect the item, we will process your refund promptly. Additional shipping charges apply when sending a replacement item for an exchange.

Paddles
Our paddles are custom assembled to your specifications. For this reason, not all paddles are eligible for return or exchange. Returns must be requested within 30 days of delivery. Where a return/exchange is approved, a £50 restocking fee will be applied to cover reassembly costs. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

We can take back most paddles. For some paddles, mainly those with a particularly short shaft or special order blades we will only be able to offer a refund for parts that can be re-used. If you are unsure about your paddle choice, please check with us before ordering to avoid disappointment.

Returned paddles must be in their original condition, ANY sign of use will render it second hand and not eligible for a full refund.

You can return your item in either of the following ways:

• Send or bring it to:
  Ultimate Kayaks
  47 Chobham Rd. 
  Ottershaw 
  KT160QE
• Arrange to return it in person at an event (coordinate this with us ahead of time)

Return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility unless the paddle is defective or we made a mistake. Once we receive and inspect the item, we will process your refund promptly. Additional shipping charges apply when sending a replacement item for an exchange.
 

Jantex

Jantex warrants your paddle, when properly used, for a period of 24 months.
To benefit from the Warranty you must buy your paddle from an authorised Jantex dealer (check distributor list on the Jantex website) or directly from Jantex.
Any manufacturing defect or malfunction should be reported within 48 hours of the purchase (or receipt of the paddle in case of delivery).


Warranty will be voided if:


The paddle is not assembled by an authorised dealer
Jantex blades are assembled with a non-Jantex shaft


Any part of the paddle was repaired


Warranty does not include:


Blades used in rocky rivers


Clamp systems or any other parts that are not Jantex


Sun damages


Collision damages


Salt oxidation

Minor blemishes or bubbles do not entitle you to deductions or returns.


In order to make a claim under these clauses you must do the following:
Report the defect to Ultimate Kayaks within thirty days of discovering it. The report must identify the Serial Number, date of purchase and include photos.
Make the paddle available for inspection if requested.
Make the paddle available, when required, to be repaired by Jantex or authorised personnel.
Jantex shall perform its obligations under the terms of this warranty and remains its decision to either repair or replace defective paddles or parts. Any repair or new parts do not extend the warranty period.

Braca

Braca provides a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase for all paddles (except polo and slalom products). The warranty covers all manufacturing defects which may arise during proper usage only. The carbon shafts are very light and strong, but not impact resistant. Please be very careful during transportation and handling. We strongly recommend you use a paddle cover.

This document sets out the sole and limited warranty which Nelo is giving on Kayaks. This warranty should be reviewed carefully, together with the User Manual.

Basic Warranty 
Nelo warrants the boat, except for excluded items, and when properly used, will be free of defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months from the time of delivery of the boat.

Warranty on other Composite Parts
The following parts: Seat, Foot Rest, Rudder, Hatch and Hold Number warranted to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months from the time of delivery of the boat. Warranty is valid only when the products are properly used.

Transfer of Warranty
If you sell the boat during warranty period, your buyer may receive the benefit of the balance of the warranty by agreeing to be bound by its terms.

Authorised Dealers
To obtain a list or confirm that you are dealing with an Authorised Dealer contact Nelo on nelo@nelo.eu.

Excluded Items
The following are not covered under warranty:

– Any components not manufactured by Nelo.
– Sun damage: If the boat is exposed to the sun for long periods of time it may cause some damages to the composite material. In that case, the warranty shall be voided.
– Osmotic Blistering: A primary factor in the design of the boats is high performance, top speed and trailing ability. The vast majority of the boats are dry sailed and as a result surface coatings and the thickness there of were chosen with respect to their potential performance characteristics.
If the boat is left in a wet cover wet, the osmosis warranty shall be voided.
– Collision damage: Damages resultants from collisions or misusage are not covered by warranty.
– Salt oxidation: If the boat is used on salt water and isn’t regularly washed after use that may oxidate some boat parts. In that case, the warranty shall be voided.
– All repairs not made by Nelo or Authorised Persons are not covered under this warranty.

Proper Use
All of the above warranty clauses are expressly conditioned upon the proper use of the boat. This means that you follow the indications reviewed at the manuals and perform suggested maintenance to the boat as recommended in it.

Warranty Claims
In order to make a claim under these clauses you must do the following:
– Report the defect to Ultimate Kayaks within thirty days of discovering it. The report must identify the Serial Number, date of delivery and photos.
– Make the boat available for inspection if requested.
– Make the boat available, when required, for repairs by Nelo

Authorised Persons
Nelo reserves the right to choose an outside technician to do the repair. All warranty requests must be accompanied by a detailed written estimate prior to beginning any warranty work and it must be approved by Nelo.

Repair or Replacement
Nelo shall perform its obligations under the terms of this warranty at its option either repairing or replacing defective part or component. Parts or components do not extend the warranty period but these repairs or replacements will be covered for the balance of the warranty period.

Exclusion of Implied Warranties
The foregoing warranty is intended to be in lieu of all other warranties express or implied. NELO disclaims all implied warranties including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In such jurisdictions these exclusions are limited the NELO expressly limits any implied warranties to the greatest extent and to the shortest duration allowed by law.

Limitation of Damages
Nelo disclaims any liability to you for incidental, consequential or indirect damages, including loss of time, loss of use, loss of revenue, travel expenses, transportation charges, food or lodging charges or loss of personal property. In such jurisdictions that these exclusions are limited to Nelo expressly limits its liability for damages to the greatest extent allowed by law.

Whole Agreement 
This warranty is the sole warranty given by Nelo.