Kayak paddles

[snotrockets]

I was gifted a Kayak (yay!), but no paddles – and am not sure what I should be looking for, as I have zero idea about Kayaking equipment: my Kayaking experience was "go to the reservoir, rent whatever they have, work hard for a couple of hours".

Kayak is quite wide about 100cm, I'm 186cm, flat/calm waters.
Goal is not to spend nearly as much as I spend on bikes, but I'd rather spent a bit more now and get something I won't regret later.

[EDS]

I would double check that width measurement (generally referred to as the "beam") as it seems really wide for a kayak. The beam/width of the kayak and your height will inform the length of the paddle you need (if the kayak is really that wide you will need at least a 250cm paddle). Beyond length you need to consider whether you care about weight (just like with bikes, a paddle with carbon fiber blade and shaft will be lightest but also most money, and generally you don't need that - hybrid construction should be fine) and transportability (do you need one that can split in half for storage and transport).

[SlowPokePete]

Werner makes some nice ones.

The paddle is a main contact point and tool...it is something to prioritize.

Thirty years ago when I used to paddle a lot of whitewater I had a guy named Mark Myracle in Somers, CT make me a lovely wood "squirt" paddle.

I still have that one.

SPP

[j44ke]

What brand/style of kayak? That will determine the type of paddle. Touring vs. whitewater for example.

A wider style is the Perception Keowee. That's a classic poke around kind of boat for lakes.