Braca shafts are custom fabricated for each type of paddle by Braca-sport in their Lithuanian factory. No other company provides custom shafts that are manufactured for desired stiffness and flex.

Generally, sprinters use the least flexible shafts, and marathoners and surf skiers use the more flexible shafts.

  • If more flex is the goal then pairing a stiffer blade with a softer shaft is recommended over a softer blade with a stiff shaft.
  • Sprinters most often use 06K or maybe 04K, the 03K, and 02K are for athletes who are primarily serious short-distance sprinters only.
  • Surfskiers use 19k or 21K
  • Marathoners, we recommend the 19K

 

What are the numbers?

Stiff shafts have a high stiffness number and a low deflection number.

The higher a stiffness # = softer shaft, more deflection when weight is hanging

Stiffness # is deflection in mm with 10kg weight

Braca paddle shaft stiffness, How deflection is measured

 

SOFTER

21K: Stiffness = 6.2 or 5.4 Designed in collaboration with Oscar Chalupsky for surfski paddlers, or anyone looking for the softest, lightweight 100% carbon shaft on the market. 10cm of adjustment.

19K: Stiffness = 4.5. Designed in collaboration with Oscar Chalupsky for surfski paddlers, or anyone looking for a more flexible, lightweight 100% carbon shaft. 10cm of adjustment.

17K: Stiffness = 3.3. Less popular, but often used for paddlers who feel the 19K may be too soft. 5cm of adjustment.

06K: Stiffness = 3.1. Popular for 735, 705 size blades on flat water, some mild ocean paddling. 5cm of adjustment. The most popular Sprint Kayak choice is 06K or 04K.

04K: Stiffness = 3.0. Popular 760 and 775 size blades for larger paddlers on flat water. 5cm of adjustment. The most popular Sprint Kayak choice is 06K or 04K.

03K: Stiffness = 2.8. Popular 775 and 815 size blades for largest sprint paddlers on flat water. 5cm of adjustment.

02K: Stiffness = 2.6. Popular 775 and 815 size blades for largest sprint paddlers on flat water. 5cm of adjustment.

STIFFER