How to Make a REAL Canoe Paddle (from a serious canoeist)

Welcome to this channel's first practical DIY project! Don't get used to it :)

I've paddled many styles of canoe paddle (and my uncle grew up racing kayaks and canoes in England) so we know a thing or two about design, shape, and balance of canoe paddles. Sure, it is not the flashiest, most beautiful paddle out there, but it will feel the best at the end of a long 30 mile day. :) This paddle design is part of the Otter Tail family, meaning the widest part of the paddle is closer to your hand, offering the paddler more control.

I built a 14' Lutra design and paddle a 62" paddle (I am ~5'5"-6"). You may ask about guided builds when you reach out with an order.
I made my paddle with a large blade, but for a novice paddler of my same build, I would recommend a medium blade.

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Xyla Foxlin
3727 W. Magnolia Blvd. # 174
Burbank, CA 91505

💥 Many many thanks to TotalBoat for sponsoring this video and providing the varnish used in this video. 💥
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TotalBoat Products Used:
*I have refinished the paddle using TotalBoat Teak Oil on the shaft after a season of use*

[cjc]

Love how you show young people not only what a 'maker' can do, but you also highlight an outdoors/active lifestyle. Thanks so much for sharing your journey!

[MitchNesbitt]

Your uncle is a cool guy. I'm glad you got to spend time with him working on this.

[LeoDoesItAll]

Your uncle peter is a very delightful fellow. He's really wholesome, charismatic and dishevelled. I hope he's had a great few years.

[mltorrefranca]

Seeing the visible wood grain shift with the sped up video of the planer at higher speed (~6m 50s) was super cool!

[Eulemunin]

I came for the paddle and stayed for the boring. Very informative, good to see the basics being taught. Learned this at my father’s knee.

[nathanhess]

Flipping the pattern is genius. I love watching a master craftsman. Great video...Thank you

[johnsim]

For a video which wasn't supposed to be entertaining I enjoyed ever minute watching the paddle being made! And every time when I thought of a question you answered it, thank you!

[mcpheonixx]

My favorite paddle was one my grandfather made. Almost the same shape as the one on the video but shorter in the blade and a bit wider! Another feature my Grandfather added was a bronze tip rabbited into the wood and pinned and epoxied in place. The bronze was soft enough so that it allowed for " Traction " when pushing off of rocks but hard enough to not deform too badly with knocks and scrapes! Blade was White oak with cherry layers in the shaft! Best paddle ever!

[farmingclouds]

When we got to making the oars at a folk college course in wooden boatbuilding here in Sweden, it turned out that I was the only one who really enjoyed the process and ended up making all of them. Building a tool to fit your hands, by your hands, is a special kind of zen practice <3

[alastairleung]

Your uncle has EXCELLENT facial expressions. Also, this was incredibly well crafted; the video, and the paddle.

[cavokdotcom]

Another great video, thank you! I love that you went straight to drownings from "colourless", and "odourless". That was an unexpected laugh this morning!

[CV_CA]

11:30 So good to see you know how to paddle. At the end of the pull need to push out to straight out the canoe, just like you do. Often in movies and commercials people don't know that they keep on switching side to side as beginners do.

[idjles]

I love seeing an uncle and niece doing something creative together!

[CoolTurtleCreations]

As a kayaker, woodworker, and a general connoisseur of informative videos I have really been loving the content you have been putting out. Keep up the great work.

[normpeplow]

I am totally amazed by your projects. As an engineer and wood worker I love watching your videos. They are very entertaining and informative. Thanks.

[jimking]

I liked Peter's explanation of the paddle shape. It's great hearing from someone who really knows their stuff.

[chadfalardeau]

As a woodcarving hobbyist I truly enjoy watching Xyla make stuff. She's also easy on the brain because she doesn't complicate things.

[alanmuddypaws]

You say it may not be the flashiest paddle, but to my eyes it is an object of great beauty.
Also, Uncle Peter rocks! It must be cool to have such a talented maker/teacher in the family.

[Mr.Stacey-L-SCC]

Xyla, your enthusiasm and energy are infectious. Despite the warning of educational vs entertainment, I can assure you I was thoroughly entertained. Thanks so much for sharing! P.S. your Uncle seems pretty cool!

[nihil]

Thanks veritasium for pointing me to this channel. You're an awesome communicator and watching your content is a joy!