Paddles are one of the most important organs of a kayak; without these recreational boats are deemed useless. Paddling your way through flat waters such as rivers and lakes requires a fair bit of effort, and needless to say the right paddle for your skill level. The Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle, just as the name suggests, is a paddle designed for novice kayakers, and makes a great choice for anyone looking to get their feet wet with the sport.
Lifetime was conceived in a garage in Riverdale, Utah in March 1986, and since then has transformed itself into a reputable brand for a wide range of sporting and recreational gear including basketball systems and picnic tables. The company has grown from a workforce of 15 employees to 1500 employees since its inception, and boasts a massive lineup of superior quality products, and the Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle is yet another great addition to their portfolio.
Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle Review
The Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle is exclusively designed for young kayakers looking for a comfortable yet highly exhilarating experience with the sport. This beginner two-piece junior kayak paddle measures 72 inches (183cm) long, and is fitted with two asymmetrical blades, which can be feathered between two positions to reduce wind resistance when paddling.
The shaft of the Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle is crafted from high quality aircraft-grade aluminum and is equipped with a push button to switch between the two feather positions (90 and 60 degrees). Adding to this, the shaft of the paddle is appointed with vinyl-covered hand grips for a comfortable yet efficient stoke, but you may want to install drip cups on each end to prevent water from dripping into the cockpit of your kayak.
Who is this Product For?
The Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle is a perfect choice for newbies to the sport owing to its narrow and comfortable to hold, 183 cm long shaft. Adding to this, the shaft of the kayak paddle measures 3.5 inches in diameter, making it easy for little hands to grip onto. Although it is was designed with kids in mind, adults looking to get their feet wet with kayaking may find the Lifetime Youth Paddle a great starter choice owing mostly to its lightweight design of just under 2 lbs.
This introduction paddle is available in only one junior size, and features a push button on its shaft to allow it to be separated easily in two halves, making it easy for young kayakers to pack up after the water adventures. It is easier to steer and maneuver than adult kayak paddles, yet its aluminum shaft allows it to cut through a larger amount of water with a single stroke. The stronger blades and shaft of the Lifetime kayak paddle make it a perfect choice for whitewater kayaking, giving your child the opportunity to gradually move from flat water to whitewater kayaking zones.
What’s included?
The Lifetime Kayak Youth Paddle is ready to go right out of the box and comes with a two piece shaft, drip cups and two asymmetrical blades to swiftly help propel the kayak forward.
Overview of Features
The Lifetime Youth Kayak Paddle rings in with several great features, some often only seen in higher priced models, including:
2-piece design – the Lifetime Youth Kayak paddle has a joint in the middle, making it easy to take apart for storage and transportation. Unlike one-piece paddles, it is adjustable in terms of feather angles, which is an important feature to have for beginner paddlers.
Asymmetrical Blades – the two 7 x 15-inch blades are crafted from molded polypropylene resin and are light and stiff for better efficiency when kayaking. Furthermore, this design lowers the blades deeper into the water for enhanced power and maneuverability, and reduces torque by exposing each half of the blade face to equal amounts of pressure.
Two feather blade positions – the blades of this paddle are rotated at an angle on the axis of its shaft, which decreases wind resistance and enhances overall speed. Additionally, this two-piece paddle offers two angle positions, which can be easily adjusted with the push button on the shaft of the paddle.
Shaft material – the shaft of the Lifetime Youth kayak paddle is made from aircraft grade aluminum, which is the standard materials used in the best kayak paddles, and is known to have a fairly strong weight to strength ratio.
Weight and size – the last thing you want is your child to be weighed down by a heavy and long paddle, which is where the Lifetime Youth paddle takes home the gold because it measures just 72 inches long and is lightweight at just 1.7 lbs.
Hand grips – the shaft of the paddle is fitted with vinyl-covered hand grips that make it comfortable to hold the paddle especially when kayaking across longer distances.
Alternatives
The Lifetime Youth Kayak Paddle showcases a sturdy design and comes in with all the right features for youth kayakers. However, it does not come with drip cups to prevent water from dripping into the kayak, and is available only in one color. If you’d like to buy a kids kayak paddle in different colors apart from black and with factory fitted drip cups, the Leader Accessories Marine Aluminum Kayak Paddle can be had in a choice of five exciting colors including blue, orange and yellow.
Final Thoughts
The Lifetime Youth Kayak Paddle is a two-piece paddle that is crafted from high grade material, so you can rest assured it will last you for many years to come. Further, it is lightweight and measures just 72 inches in length, and comes with a shaft that is easy to grip onto for little hands, making it a great choice for kids of all ages. Made in the USA, the Lifetime Youth Kayak Paddle is an unmatched choice for kids looking to get into the fun sport of kayaking and adapt to higher skill levels needed in more challenging rapids.