A Guide to Choosing a Paddle for Kayaking Once you have decided on the type of kayak to use, the next item needed is the paddle. This is a key piece of equipment because it will be your primary method of propulsion. Because of this, you want to make sure it is something comfortable to use. Remeber, you will be holding the paddle for an extended period of time on each outing. An uncomfortable paddle will result in an unpleasant experience on the water. ...