The angle between the faces of the blades is the paddle's offset. Allows for more efficient and powerful strokes in certain conditions as well as advanced strokes and braces. A paddle with no offset is fine for recreational paddling. Open cockpit - see cockpit. Paddle - used to propel your kayak through the water.
Kayak paddles have two blades, canoe paddles have one.
Contrast with oar, used to propel Roman galleys. The advantages of a roto-molded kayak are impact resistance and lower cost, but at a greater weight than composite kayaks. Rudder - blade or plane on the stern of the kayak which can be rotated to assist in turning the boat. On some kayaks rudders are operated by cables attached to the boat's foot pegs. Contrast with a skeg, which is fixed and keeps the kayak going in a straight line.