Celtic Paddles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celtic paddles are MIKCo's paddle of choice.

Celtic paddles are available in a range of blade sizes, shapes, and shaft lengths. At Maine Island Kayak Co, we prefer paddles in the 200-212cm length range; shorter paddles allow for easier control. MIKCo builds custom 4-piece, pro-carbon paddles with nylon Leverlok ™ center joins and Paddlok ™ joins at the ends.

Ask us about how Celtic's various blade shapes can enhance your personal paddling style. Or come out to Peaks Island and try one yourself. We believe you'll feel the difference!


Celtic Kinetik Touring Blades

With its origins in whitewater paddling, our Celtic Kinetik Touring is a performance paddle suited for ocean touring and bumpy water play. Its aggressive spoon allows for use of a smaller size blade. Paddling with a more vertical shaft allows for a shorter length paddle and a less tired paddler; our recommended paddle length for 90% of paddlers is 200-212cm. We often paddle wing-like, with one leading edge for power and efficiency: the leading edge "bites" and holds the water better. The extremely thin profile slices easily through the water. This maximizes the catch of each stroke, translating into more pulling power per stroke.

 

Celtic Kinetik Touring Blades 600, 650, 700, 750

Celtic Kinetik Touring blades: 600, 650, 700 and 750.

Celtic Kinetik Touring blades are available in the following lengths:

  • The Kinetik 600 has the smallest surface area of the Kinetik range. The blade enables the paddler to increase their stroke rate while maintaining efficiency. This blade is ideally suited to the smaller paddler.
  • The Kinetik 650 is the mid-range blade that suits medium size paddlers. It is extremely efficient and delivers much more power than its modest size would suggest.
  • The Kinetik 700 is the original Kinetik sized blade, ideally suited to experienced sea kayakers. It produces great initial power, which aids maneuvering in rock gardens. A blade with outstanding acceleration, it excels in the surf and strong currents.
  • The Kinetik 750 is the largest Kinetik blade, best for strong paddlers. A versatile blade, the 750 is suitable for touring, surfing and marathon racing, and offers maximum power and efficiency.

For tips and exercises on improving your paddling technique, see Tom's articles: Paddle Power and The Glide and Boat Speed.

Celtic Archipelago and Nordkapp Blades

Celtic Archipelago and Nordkapp blades are for more relaxed, lower shaft angle paddlers, making us more comfortable over longer distances. Both Archipelago and Nordkapp blades have the same curvature as the Kinetik Touring, but the shape is more of an elongated rectangular shape. The Nordkapp is a larger version of the Archipelago.

Photo from top to bottom: Celtic Kinetic Touring 650, Archipelago and Nordkapp blades.

Celtic 650 Kinetic Touring, Archipelago and Nordkapp blades

Celtic Reef Blades

The Celtic Reef blade is a large, beefy 750 cm blade designed for the more powerful paddler for lumpy water, play and surf conditions. The thin profile slices through the water with minimal drag, while the full-sized face provides the power needed for breaking out through the surf and for accelerating a boat onto a wave. The bottom edge features a rounded outside corner, for a smooth transition between rudder and brace for unprecedented control on the face of bigger waves.

Celtic Kinetic Touring 750 and Reef blades

Celtic Kinetic Touring 750 and Reef blades.

"The blade just slices into the water - with no effort at all."  Jon G.


Celtic Omega Blades

Celtic's Omega blade strikes an impressive balance in blade design. The dihedral shape allows for a comfortable, lower angle touring stroke, but is ready for quick and decisive maneuvering.

Carol paddling with a Celtic Omega 600
Celtic Omega 600, 650, 700

Photo from front to back: Celtic Omega 600, 650 and 700cm blades.

Comparing Celtic Kinetik Touring & Omega Blades

The Kinetik Touring blade is a precise, spoon shaped blade. It slices cleanly into the water and has a strong catch. Because of its powerful grasp, it excels in maneuvering. We especially like the Kinetic Touring blade for its quick, precise turning, solid bracing and excellent control in surfing.

The Omega blade, introduced in 2022, has less of a spoon than the Kinetik Touring. Omega’s flatter shape makes it a little more forgiving about the angle it enters the water, because it has a less aggressive catch. The shape of the blade is closer to the shape of other lower angle paddles.

The Omega was designed with input from Dale Williams from Tybee Island, Georgia. Dale is a strong sea kayak surfer; his venue has ocean swell, tidal current and sandy beaches. Dale says that the Omega blades paddle “larger” than the size suggests; i.e. a 650 Omega feels on par with a 700 Kinetik Touring. Other SKUK-Celtic dealers have agreed with Dale’s assessment.

Celtic Kinetik Touring 650cm and Omega 650cm blades.

Celtic Kinetic Touring 650cm and Omega 650cm blade spines.


Celtic Carbon Blades and Shafts

Celtic carbon blades are made from 16 separate pieces of computer-cut material pressed together, resulting in a strong, thin blade. Carbon composite shafts are suitable for advanced sea conditions.

sea kayaking by the rocky shore of Peaks Island, Maine

Celtic paddles feature:

  • Carbon composite shaft, suitable for advanced sea conditions
  • Adjustable length plus 10cm
  • Infinite adjustable feather
  • Solid paddlok blade joins
  • Reflective Graphics

Celtic 2-piece standard shafts have an outer diameter of 29mm, and are available in the following lengths:

  • 200 - 210 cm
  • 205 - 215 cm
  • 208 - 218 cm
  • 210 - 220 cm
  • 212 - 224 cm

Celtic Joins

Celtic's multi-piece paddles use the Leverlok and Paddlok ™  systems.

The Leverlok center join allows for shaft length and infinite feather adjustment. The new nylon Leverlok mechanism is larger, making it easier to grasp and adjust on the fly. The material is less susceptible to corrosion.

The Celtic Leverlok system allows quick and easy adjustment to paddle length and feather.

Celtic Leverlok

The Paddlok ™ system allows you to mix and match blades to your shaft, and allows the paddle to be removed or replaced. The Paddlok system uses the Paddlok button which works like a miniature jack; when the key is tightened, the  joint expands forming a rock solid connection. Only gentle pressure is required to lock your paddle blades to the shaft. After use in salt water, we recommend flushing the buttons and spigots with fresh water to prevent salt crystal accumulation.

Celtic Paddlok join

The Celtic Paddlok system creates a solid join, and allows the paddle to be easily broken down for transport.

Pricing

Celtic Pro full carbon, 4-piece with nylon Leverlok center join and Paddlok removable pressed blades, infinite right and left feather, 10 cm length adjustment. $550.

Celtic paddles are the original Lendal paddles, not to be confused with Lendal, NA. Celtic Paddles is part of Sea Kayaking UK (SKUK).

Celtic Paddles

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."    Robert Brault