Paddle vs Oar: What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between a paddle and an oar—and can a kayak have oars? The simplest distinction is whether the equipment is attached to the boat. Oars pivot from a fixed point on the vessel, while paddles are normally held and controlled entirely by the paddler. Here’s a closer look, including one adaptive paddling system that combines elements of both.
What Is an Oar?
Definitions vary slightly, but generally speaking, an oar has one blade and is attached to the boat through an oarlock, pin or similar pivot point. Oars often come in pairs. Because each oar is secured to the vessel, the rower can let go without losing it overboard.
What Is a Paddle?
A paddle may have one blade, as with a canoe or stand-up paddleboard paddle, or two blades, as with a kayak paddle. Unlike an oar, a paddle is normally not attached to the boat. The paddler supports and controls it with their hands, which also means an unsecured paddle can drift away if it is dropped.
The Difference Between Oars and Paddles
Can a Kayak Have Oars? Meet the Versa Paddle
When we launched Angle Oar in 2013, we gave our signature adaptive paddling system the same name as the company. That was partly because the design borrowed elements from both an oar and a paddle.
A mount attaches to the kayak and supports the weight of the Versa Paddle. The blades can be angled downward on both sides, functioning somewhat like a pair of oars, or locked into a straight position like a traditional double-bladed kayak paddle. The Versa can also be removed from the mount and used independently.
By supporting the paddle’s weight and creating a central pivot point, the mounted system can reduce how much lifting is required and requires a smaller range of motion.
Once we began distributing it, however, we discovered that the Angle Oar name caused some confusion. Kayakers were accustomed to talking about kayak paddles—not kayak oars. We eventually renamed the product the Versa Paddle System, short for “versatile kayak paddle.”
The Gamut Paddle Holder takes a different approach. It supports the paddler’s existing straight kayak paddle at a central pivot point. Like the Versa, it reduces the amount of paddle weight the user must support, but it does not allow the blades to be angled downward.
So, is there such a thing as a kayak with oars? We’d say yes, although it is definitely the exception rather than the rule.
In the end, whether you call it a paddle, an oar or a garbanzo bean, as long as you’re out on the water having fun, who cares?
