C-Forum

Kind of a rookie question from someone who is 'not a rookie'. Has anyone used hockey tape for their paddle shaft/ If so, what are Your thoughts? I still have not found the perfect wrap without some flaw. Have fun out there!

No but my guess would be that hockey tape will wear off and leave a sticky residue.

What have you tried and what were the results?

What has impressed you the most?

I have often wondered about using handle bar wrap or tape for cycling/bikes.

I've used (use) electrical / plumbing silicon flexible tape on a paddle shaft. The down side is that the shaft gets thicker and that changes the ergo feel, and it needs replace now and again. The plus side is it stays put. is "grippy" even in cold weather, and it protects the paddle shaft quite well. After using it I'm neutral on it. Paddle wax (surf wax) works best for grip IMHO.

I put bicycle handlebar tape on one paddle, and wasn't impressed.

I used some of the silicone repair tape on one of my ice axes, and it did OK. Never tried it on a paddle.

Paddle wax seems to be the best. It doesn't change the diameter of the shaft, and it really makes a big difference in grip.

I've used plain old electrical tape. I get a slight texture with it but the greater benefit is with the use of a bright color, it's easier to find / identify the stick.

I used the plumbing tape that sticks to It's self & It works great...until it gets cut(Wrap-Fix). The residue is what I'm worried about with the hockey tape. Some of my paddles don't need any wrap. I'll give the wax a shot. Thanks...

I should have also asked about why you wish to wrap the paddle shaft...
For grip?
For protection?
For visibility?
For style?
Etc.

I tried wrap on that paddle for a few different reasons. Protection & grip. That paddle has a slick finish that I roughed up a bit, but was still slippery. I find a wrap also helps some with finding the right spot when things get 'interesting'. Kind of like index points(?) That shaft was also quite thin compared to most of other paddles.

Plain old PVC electrical tape has worked well on all of my paddles - Doesn't add noticeable thickness, or weight, but provides enough texture for grip and does add a bit of protection for wear points on the shaft

The Werner Bandit showed signs of wear from rubbing on the gunnel--all the way through the black to the white.

I tried bicycle handlebar wrap--colorful and cushiony but didn't last.

I tried baseball bat grip tape--didn't handle water well; became squishy; wore off and didn't last.

I finally used 10 mil PVC pipe wrap tape. Ordered from Grainger. VERY DURABLE
Corrosion protection for metal piping systems above and below ground.
Corrosion protection for fittings and joints on mill coated pipe.
Corrosion protection of electrical conduit & fittings.
Resists corrosive action by salt water, soil acids, alkalies and salts.
Prevents dielectric corrosion between buried steel pipe and soil minerals.

I'll give It a go...I like that the tape can be multi purposed. Thanks...

Splicing tape.

I use Splicing Tape, locally it is located next to the coloured electrical tape on the rack. It's original intended use is for wrapping large diameter electrical splices.

It's qualities are that it is a stretchy rubber compound that when wrapped it "melds", that is, over time it bonds to itself and won't unwrap. (The tape roll has a plastic separating layer between wraps)

Probably the same a hockey tape( ?), our national game that I don't play; can't skate.

So far, I've got to say the splicing tape has worked the best...for grip, thickness & durability. Both the PVC in Heavy Duty & Shrink Wrap tapes work OK. Didn't try the Hockey tape...may offer too much of a grip & then there is the residue issue. Thanks for the recommendations. Cheers!

I also use splice tape to wrap any metal or sharp bits near floatation bags- switches, pump pipe clamps, thwart bolts, waterproofing electrical connections, zap strap sharps.
Kind of a papers 'duct tape".
e

colored Electrical tape for grip and visibility. We also use Special Green Nordic kick wax for better grip.