Beavertail Traditional Wood Canoe Paddle

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Beavertail Traditional Wood Canoe Paddle

Bending Branches’ Beavertail wood canoe paddle is efficient for deep water lake paddling with a classic long, narrow blade. The traditional symmetrical palm grip is strong and durable as well as beautiful. Blade has five laminates of black willow and red alder.

Product Specifications
Blade Size: 
6.75" x 25"
Grip Type: 
Freestyle Palm Grip
Beavertail Traditional Wood Canoe Paddle Freestyle Palm Grip
Lengths Available: 
54 in
57 in
60 in
63 in
Rockgard Color: 
Caramel
Shaft Type: 
Solid Black Willow : Shafts are ovalized for more natural feel and comfort.
Weight: 
20 oz : weight based on average weight of 54” paddle: due to the natural variations in wood, weight could vary by +/- 10%
Wood Type: 
Black Willow and Red Alder
Find Your Size

If you’re taking short trips with your family or friends, fishing or shore exploring, a straight-shaft recreational paddle would be the right style of paddle for you.

  • The old-fashioned Beavertail paddle. A wood laminate or one piece of wood, with a long rounded blade is a great choice. These narrow and longer bladed paddles pull extremely smooth through the water, and the length helps with sweep strokes.

While many methods exist, a simple and accurate way is to measure your torso. Sit up straight on a flat surface and measure from the surface in between your legs to your nose. Follow the chart below:

Canoe Paddle Sizing Chart
Torso Size Straight Shaft Canoe Paddle Length
20" Youth 36"
22" Youth 42"
24" Youth 48"
26" 51" or 52"
28" 54"
30" 56" or 57"
32" 57" or 58"
34" 60"
36" 62"
38" 64"

An easy way to measure in the field is to place the grip of the paddle between your legs (while sitting) and mark where the shoulder is (where blade meets shaft). The shoulder on a straight shaft should be at your forehead; the shoulder on a bent shaft should be at your nose. Note: this is only a guideline to sizing. Seat height, style of paddling, and arm length can all effect the size you need. Demo paddling is always recommended.

Canoe Paddle Sizing Video
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Please Note
We’ve done our best to show you the dealers in your area who carry our products. However, please call ahead to make sure your local dealer has the specific product you want in the specific size you need. In the unlikely event that you can’t find exactly what you want, any of our dealers will gladly handle your special order for any Bending Branches paddle. All of our paddles are readily available from our factory.

Comments

Submitted by BranchesMediaAnchor on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 08:43

I saw a BB Beaver tail at my local paddle store and having used an Otter tail in the past, decided to give one a try. I paid extra to have one made to my length (59"). The catch is quiet and solid without being jarring and the blade has enough area to get a good bite in the water with absolutely no flutter. Reasonable weight and good balance for a full day of paddling. For touring this is my paddle of choice.

Submitted by BranchesMediaAnchor on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 08:44

After using a "standard" paddle, and an ottertail, I thought the BB Beavertail might be worth a try. It isn't as easy to paddle as my ottertail, but does move my canoe with greater authority. It can be as quiet as my ottertail when entering the water, but requires a bit more attention to technique. When the wind kicked up this afternoon, it was the BB Beavertail that moved me to windward best!

The paddle is supposed to weigh 24 oz, and according to my digital scale, the 63" model weighs 22.55oz !!! The blade is sanded down to 1/4" at the outside edges on its lower half, and grows much thicker toward the shaft. The shaft and grip are large in size, but that's fine: if someday I decide the paddle could use a trim, it's much easier to subtract wood than to add it!

Speaking of the wood, the grain on mine is very attractive, and it's medium dark hue matches my canoe's wood gunwales. The beavertail is a steal at $60, and will be my new all-around paddle. I'll have to buy one for my wife as well.