C-Forum

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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

Paddle wax.

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.

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

surfboard wax works great

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.

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

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

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