As an avid long-distance/fitness paddler, I’ve recently been thinking it’s time for me to get a wing blade. I’ve known about them for decades…but never tried one. It’s clear, though—from paddlers like Greg Barton to Freya Hoffmeister—that if you want pure, efficient propulsion, a wing blade is the way to go. (No offense to Greenland paddle fans…but I’m not seeing many long-distance paddlers and racers using GP’s.)

It’s reasonable, of course, to ask myself “Why do I want a wing blade?” And my answer is simple, even though I don’t actually know if it’s true: I assume that with the identical amount of effort, I’ll go faster with a wing blade. (Or: I can go just as fast with less effort.)

Some might suggest a wing is pointless unless you’re racer, which may be true. That said, while I’m not a racer, I’ve paddled my whole life (I’m 63 now) and am extremely fit for paddling. My typical workout paddle is 5-6 miles nonstop at an average speed (in relatively calm conditions and light winds) of 5.1mph. So my normal pace is “going pretty hard.” And I’ve studied racing technique and always paddle with a lot of core rotation and use my legs as well. I don’t say this to boast, rather just to point out that a wing blade might be less beneficial if one’s normal pace is slower and more relaxed (less “fitness and distance-oriented”).

If anyone out there has done side-by-side comparison testing between a wing blade and, say, something like a carbon Werner Kalliste (my current blade)…and found out the wing blade is no faster (or maybe only a tiny bit faster, like 0.02mph faster on average), please let me know, and I’ll banish the idea of a wing from my head! LOL

But if you’ve found a wing to be significantly faster, then I’d love to hear recommendations for brands/models to consider!

ALSO: I don’t know if a wing blade should be the same length as a Euro blade? Or always a bit shorter or longer?