How to Maintain Braca Carbon Paddles

When used and treated correctly, Braca-Sport paddles will provide excellent performance for many years.

Carbon paddles should be dissasembled and rinsed every time you use them.

Normal Use

Follow these instructions to keep your carbon paddles and adjusters in working order.  These instructions are especially important to prevent adjusters from becoming damaged or frozen in a locked position.

Metal connectors, plastic connectors, and memory Lock all need to be disassembled!

  • Saltwater conditions – immediately after use disconnect your paddle into 2 pieces and thoroughly rinse with clean fresh water the adjuster, the shaft exterior and interior, and the blades. Disconnecting and then rinsing is important to avoid salt and debris that can lock up the shaft and adjuster. Plastic connectors are ideal for salt water.
  • Freshwater conditions – the paddle should be disassembled and all components thoroughly rinsed with clean fresh water and cleaned every two weeks.
  • Paddles should be dried with a soft cloth after each use to prevent limescale and dirt buildup.
  • Store your adjustable paddle disassembled if not used for more than two weeks.

Disassemble and Rinse with Clean Fresh Water is important! Allow to dry before putting it back together.

Braca shaft/blade joint on a carbon kayak paddle

Paddle Assembly

FastPaddler provides an expert assembly of paddles for our customers which helps maintain paddles in peak performance. Our Braca paddles are assembled for custom length and pitch angle using an official Braca alignment machine. Paddles must be assembled correctly to:

  • prevent water ingress.
  • prevent accidental rotation while paddling.
  • assure correct diameter of the interior shaft.

See videos below to assembly according to Braca specifications.

Carbon paddles are best protected in a case.

Storage & Transportation

We highly recommend a paddle cover for storing and transporting paddles.

  • Store your adjustable paddle disassembled if not used for more than two weeks!
  • Store with the lever in the open position.
  • The paddles should be dried with a soft cloth after each use and before being placed in a case.
  • They should be stored protected from direct sunlight and intense heat to prevent premature aging of the surface finish.

Most damage occurs off the water! 

Assembly Videos From Braca-Sport

Adjustable Kayak Paddle

This video tutorial shows how to professionally assemble an adjustable Braca-Sport kayak paddle.

Fixed-length Kayak Paddle

This video tutorial shows how to professionally assemble a fixed-length Braca-Sport kayak paddle.

Adjustable Canoe Paddle

This video tutorial shows how to professionally assemble an adjustable Braca-Sport canoe paddle.

Please pay attention to the subtitles and follow the instructions carefully when assembling your paddle! All the steps are important and the quality of the gluing is greatly dependent on the fine details in the assembly process.