
A very important thing to build an excellent paddle is the choice of wood. This must be of first quality, it must not have knots or other imperfections, the fiber must be straight, homogeneous and compact.
Wood is a natural composite material, made up of cellulose molecules with long chains, connected by cross-links and linked together by lignin. The properties of strength, hardness, flexibility, buoyancy and durability over time derive from this particular structure.
Weight for weight, it is a material much sturdier than steel.The AVATAK paddles are built with eleven inserts of various essences.
For a paddle weighing around 900 grams, no less than 8 kg of wood is needed! Usually the central core, which corresponds to the length of the paddle, is in spruce or red cedar, very light and flexible woods.Laterally the blades are reinforced with hard woods such as mahogany, teak, wengé, padouk, iroko, larch, okoumé, etc. to have extra protection against possible blows.
The outside of the handle is also made of hardwoods which ends up with the characteristic spear shape.


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