Materialinfo

Being pioneers in this production technology with its cavity-system, we have known and appreciated the advantages for a long time:

• Low weight (up to 25% lighter), thin blades, so less power is needed. Lightweight blades generate less centrifugal force and leverage, so paddles can be moved with less effort.
• Materials are used specifically for the required applications. 
• Additional filament reinforcement.
• Equally spread cooling during production process = no hidden cracks.
• Tensionless blades – no warping = perfect performance.

Thanks to ATT-cavity-system the paddle blades can be designed with a thin, hydrodynamically optimized cross section leading to gentle performance and needing less power. The back of the blade doesn’t need any reinforcing ribs which would impair its performance:

• Whirlpools created at the backside of the blade would lead to a turbulent stroke. 
• Catch and release of the blade would be influenced negatively by water sticking to the blade. 
• Water sticking to the blade at the release couldn’t drain quickly enough and would add additional weight to the blade at each stroke.

This is why paddles by Kober & Moll don´t have those impairing ribs.

Materials used in ATT process:

• Polypropylene (PP)
  As with all plastics, the quality of PP is very much dependent on the price. Kober & Moll use only high quality PP to achieve highest strength, low weight and high performance. We prefer PP for touring paddles due to its perfect weight-to-strength ratio. The mechanical properties are influenced positively by the addition of filaments.
  
  
• Polyamide (PA)
  As with PP, the quality of this raw material depends directly on the price. At Kober we use only the best PA available (yes, the one with the highest impact resistance) for our high quality WW-paddles. They are additionally reinforced with filaments (carbon or glass), resulting in stiff, heavy-duty blades which are also extremely impact resistant, abrasion resistant and durable.

Im ATT-Verfahren verarbeitete Materialien:

Moll paddles made from PU-foam using RIM technology have a compressed outer surface which is extremely durable. The core however is made up of big cells, thus saves on weight and has good self-buoyancy. Additionally, this sandwich technology is shock absorbing and gentle to muscles and joints. Moll RIM-paddles are favourites among clubs and centers due to their reliability. Different variations are being used:

· Puro RIM
With Puro-RIM, Moll paddles achieved the breakthrough. This superb technology provides Moll RIM-paddles with unique advantages: Lightweight, shock absorbing, abrasion resistant and long-lasting. High value – low price.

· RIM Spezial
RIM Spezial has been developed for extreme wear at low water levels and for canoe polo, where the blades need to absorb high impacts safely. They protect muscles and joints, are careless to use in swimming pools.

A tracking fin is a convex, wedge-shaped line at the front side (concave side) of the blade in the extension line of the shaft. What does it do?

· Equal draining of water from the blade results in a gentle stroke. No torquing, no fluttering.
· A paddle with a tracking fin performs much smoother in the water, provides more comfort and is more efficient.
· A blade without a tracking fin causes more turbulence in the water and tends towards unwelcome fluttering and torquing at a fast stroke. This has to be compensated by more exertion of power by your hands leading to faster fatigue.

Kober has used the tracking fin since the mid-1960s. Hartmut Moll introduced this advantageous design element to Kober’s SL and WW range first in 1977. Now almost all paddles by Kober & Moll have this tracking fin.

Hydrodynamic paddle back / flat paddle back Hydrodymanic is in water what aerodynamic is in the air. Hydrodynamics are an important factor in the design of a paddle blade and are the key to an  enjoyable paddling experience.

A hydrodynamic paddle back has four essential advantages:

• A precise paddle placement in the water so that as little air as possible is pushed underwater  with the paddle blade, less splashing by paddling. 
• Less disturbance in the water allows for a more efficient paddle stroke from the beginning to the end. 
• Less water is lifted up with the paddle as it leaves the water after the paddle stroke, the water that is lifted up flows quickly off the blade. Not lifting excess water with the paddle saves energy. 
• A quicker and exacter pressure build up allows for better control of the paddle during paddle strokes.

The more reinforcement ribs or hollows a paddle blade has the less hydrodynamic it is.

High angle style, mostly used by highly skilled paddlers, is the more active style. The blade moves close to the boat, your pushing hand moves above shoulder level. This technique is more efficient as the boat drifts off track only slightly at each stroke. The blades used are short and wide. The paddle length is a bit shorter, too.

Low angle style is the most common. The blade catches the water at a low angle and moves in some distance to the boat. Your pushing hand doesn’t exceed shoulder level. On long distances paddling is more relaxed and also wind resistance is lower. The same applies to effectiveness. A longer paddle is used, the blades are narrower and longer compared to high angle style. Experience proves that paddles built for high angle could also be used for low angle style – with certain qualifications. Vice versa it is significantly more difficult.

A convenient feather angle at paddles, does it exist? The feather of a paddle is always a compromise between very low wind resistance and optimal ergonomics. In the air, the blade is the most streamlined at a feather of 90°. Your wrist however is doing heavy labour, joints and muscles are aching, your body is tiring fast.

A sharp angle, which comes close to the biodynamic body rotation, is the optimum for the body. In windy conditions however, this is counterproductive. With the blade almost fully faced into the wind, the paddler needs to force a lot of work into each stroke to align and hold the paddle.

For us at Kober & Moll the truth is in between:
Whitewater paddles come with a 45° feather as standard. This angle allows fast reactions, comes close to the body rotation and is gentle on joints due to little motion. Wind influence is secondary. At touring paddles the impact of winds is more crucial. With a 60° feather they put less surface against the wind, save on power and lead to gentle, smooth strokes. The relief of the strain on your wrists and your whole body is clearly noticeable, especially on long distances.

All aluminium shafts processed at Kober & Moll are seawater resistant. Varying according to use, we are offering three different types:

· Touring and easy WW, Ø 30 mm, anodized
· Kids’ paddles with a smaller diameter, Ø 28 mm
· WW and polo, heavy duty shaft, Ø 30 mm, anodized

Grip areas are covered with insulating shrink tube and are oval-shaped to improve ergonomics,  varying according to use.

Especially for small hands we offer some models with a smaller shaft diameter (Grizzly, Little Bär, Rafting, Trophy, Economy). So the hands can held the shaft more safely.

Fiberglass shafts provide excellent flexibility and have a warmer touch than aluminium shafts. Thus movements go easy on muscles and joints and the paddler doesn’t tire as fast.

Varying according to use, different classifications of weight and strength are used to reach the optimum for each paddle model. The surface of our fiberglass shafts is sanded and the grip area is oval-shaped. This provides a safe grip in all situations. Especially for paddlers with smaller hands (ladies, juniors), we offer some models with smaller shafts, so their hands can grip the shaft more easily and safely.

Adapted to the hand’s shape. Provides exact control of the paddle and makes manoeuvring easier. Preferred in swift waters.

Models: Stand Up, Leader, Pioneer, Contra, Little Bär, Traveller, Dragon Training

A T-grip designed for rafting, featuring a specially crooked T-grip that can be easily hooked under a buoyancy aid to help during rescues.

Models: Rafting

Designed for use both in WW and calm water. Combines the advantages of T- and Palm-Grip.

Models: Trophy

For aluminium shafts. Works like tent poles and is locked by a spring button. 60° right and left feathered.

For fiberglass and carbon shafts. Internal fiberglass tube locks with a spring button. 60° right and left feathered.

For Alu, GFK und Carbon-Shafts. The shaft can be extendet by about 10 cm, the feather can be set  veriably at any angle.