Paddle Grip

[Dave.E]

Does anyone have any suggestions to add some grip to a paddle shaft? I tried some climbing tape but all the sticky eventually started coming through.

Dave

[woro90]

What kind of a grip? For bare hands? For gloves? How much of a grip? I wouldn't cover my paddle with sand as I like to slide my lower hand along the shaft according to what I need to do, sometimes mid-stroke. I understand that this is exactly what you don't want, do you?

[Shep]

There was a long thread a while back on this. The stretchy-style electricians tape seemed to be favored by many, although that thread was about reducing shaft-wear, if I remember correctly.

[woro90]

This one?

[Dave.E]

For gloves and bare hands.

Just looking something to leave on the shaft so its not all slippery. I had some climbing tape on it but the water made the sticky come through and would gum up my hands which I didn't like. I tried hockey tape and the same happened.

Dave

[busterblue]

I think this was the post that Shep referred do:
viewtopic.php?p=85250

I've been using the foamy-grip stuff that's made for bicycle handlebars. A little electrical tape at the top and bottom prevents it from unraveling. I initially used it for gription when wearing gloves. But now I use it all the time. The downside is that it's not very durable. I just wrap up about a 6-inch area--where my hand is 95% of the time. It doesn't stop me from changing my grip when needed. If you wrap too low, it will wear off against the gunnels.

[fez]

brush some epoxy on the shaft and put some fine powder (filler) or fine sand on it

[watermonkey]

Paddle wax.

[bkebs]

I put electrical tape wraps 3 inches apart on the shaft. It has worked well for a month. I used to be annoyed by my hand slipping on the shaft, but this has solved the issue for me.

[kaz]

100 grit sandpaper, AND, de-grease your hands with river mud before paddling.

[Larry Horne]

surfboard wax works great

[ian123]

I ve used cross country ski wax. It's grippy but it comes off and will make your gunnels black and sticky.

I find i only slip when I wear mitts. A short wrap of duct tape of gorilla tape helps. Take it off in the spring so your hands don't get sticky.

[Bill M]

What Kaz said. My go to paddle has a dynel,I think, sleeve on the bottom half of the shaft. It seems to collect body oil, sun block etc so I also wash it with sand dirt. My bare wood shaft is much less slick.
Bill

[Bob P]

Interesting... My lower hand never grips the shaft tightly. Having the shaft "sticky" would drive me crazy.

[Todhunter]

Like Larry said, I use Sex Wax on my shaft.