Freestyle Paddles
Freestyle kayak paddles, or playboat paddles, are short whitewater paddles for tricks on a river wave or in a hole, such as cartwheels, loops and spins. In a freestyle competition each paddler gets a 45-second ride to score as many different moves as possible. G’Power makes the Harpoon freestyle paddle by hand in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland, with a wide, short 80% carbon blade and a reinforced edge.
Freestyle Paddles
Freestyle Paddles
Harpoon YELO and Harpoon BLUE
Harpoon YELO and Harpoon BLUE share one blade and one construction. YELO is the freestyle version, and BLUE is the same paddle in blue for river running and park-and-play. Both have an 80% carbon blade and shaft and a 30 mm shaft that gives a firm hold during rolls and braces. The sizes from the product pages:
| Size | Blade area | Blade (length x width) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 660 cm² | 460 x 216 mm | ~820 g |
| L | 700 cm² | 465 x 226 mm | ~860 g |
| XL | 740 cm² | 470 x 236 mm | ~900 g |
Pick the Harpoon YELO for a playboat and the Harpoon BLUE for a river runner. Sizes and weights are the same.
How to choose a playboat paddle
A playboat paddle is shorter than a river running paddle, because a freestyle kayak is under 2 m long and the strokes are quick and close to the boat. Size M suits lighter paddlers and fast trick sequences. Sizes L and XL give more power for forward strokes and for paddlers who run the river between play spots. The freestyle kayak paddle guide covers length and feather angle.
Freestyle blades hit rocks and gravel on shallow features. The Harpoon blade has a reinforced edge for this, and the 80% carbon layup takes repeated knocks better than a lighter 100% carbon race blade. For steep creeks, G'Power makes the heavier Harpoon X-Creek in the whitewater paddles range.
Ordering a freestyle paddle
The Harpoon is made to your length, glued in one piece or fitted with the QNECT connector. QNECT adjusts the length within 10 cm and the feather angle from 0° to 85° in 5° steps, and it splits the paddle in two for travel. Freestyle paddlers Stephen Wright (USA), Zosia Tuła and Tomasz Czaplicki (Poland) are on the G'Power team. For help with size or length, call +48 883 44 22 44 (Monday to Friday, 7:00-15:00 CET) or write to kontakt@gpowersport.com.
Frequently asked questions
A freestyle paddle is shorter and has a wide, short blade for quick strokes close to the boat. A river running paddle is longer for forward speed. The Harpoon blade is 460-470 mm long and 216-236 mm wide.
Size M (660 cm², ~820 g) suits lighter paddlers and fast trick sequences. Sizes L (700 cm²) and XL (740 cm²) suit stronger paddlers and those who run rivers between play spots.
No, YELO and BLUE have the same blade, 80% carbon construction and weight. YELO is the freestyle version and BLUE is the same paddle in blue for river running.
Yes, if you order it with the QNECT connector. The paddle splits in two parts, and QNECT lets you change the length within 10 cm.