Dragon Boat Paddles and Racing
Dragon boat racing has been around for centuries but its resurgence as a competitive sport happened in the early 90's with the formation of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The sport's popularity has been growing steadily ever since. Most dragon boat races are sprints ranging from 250m to 2000m and are regulated by formal racing rules.
Dragon Boat Paddlers
The standard crew of a dragon boat is 22 people with 20 paddlers, one sweep that steers the boat and one drummer that sets the pace. The boat itself is ornamented with a dragon's head and tail. Paddlers sit in pairs beside each other on a bench and each take a side of the boat. They must be in synch as they follow the lead two paddlers and the drummer.
Dragon Boat Paddles
The dragon boat paddles in IDBF approved racing venues do not vary in shape or size but may vary greatly in materials. Dragon boat paddles must be built to IDBF Specification 202a to be approved for racing so creativity on the manufacturers part must be in materials used. Paddlers expect dragon boat paddles to be light, strong and comfortable.
KIALOA Hybrid Dragon Boat Paddles
KIALOA Hybrid Dragon Boat Paddles are inspired by our popular hybrid canoe paddles. A hybrid paddle consists of a wood shaft and a carbon blade. The blade is constructed with a foam core using a process called resin transfer molding (RTM) that creates an extremely strong, light and durable paddle. The triple laminated wood shaft is hand-shaped and oval for a comfortable grip. The superior finish creates a wonderful hand-feel. The Ergo-T™ is also hand-shaped of wood and fits nicely in the palm.
Why Choose a KIALOA Hybrid
KIALOA entered the dragon boat paddle market with the unique carbon and wood hybrid dragon boat paddle because we listened to the request of paddlers. The wood shaft not only has an exceptional feel but also has natural shock absorption unique to wood. After hours of weekly paddling the muscle and tendons in your arms and shoulders will feel the difference that this shock absorption provides. We are also proud to say that KIALOA Hybrid Dragon Boat Paddles are manufactured entirely in the USA and that all of our paddles come with a one year limited warranty against manufacturer defects.
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