How To Hang A Paddle On A Wall

Storing your kayaking equipment can sometimes be a hassle or a struggle. Sometimes, you just have to think a little outside the box to find the perfect place to store your kayaking equipment, like your paddles or the kayak itself.

A popular way to save space while safely putting your kayaking paddle out of the way is to hang it up on a wall. A lot of kayakers choose this way to store their paddle as it is fairly easy to do and it lifts the paddle out of your way. 

So if you want to give this a try – where do you start? How exactly do you hand a kayaking paddle on a wall?

Well, don’t worry – we are here to help! Follow this guide so you can hang your kayaking paddle on a wall securely and safely!

 Why Hang A Kayak Paddle On A Wall?

There are a lot of benefits to hanging a paddle from a wall rather than just stacking it somewhere. 

First is safety. Paddles that are left lying around can become a tripping hazard or can fall over and potentially hurt you. 

Those paddles may not look like much but they are strong and firm and can cause serious damage if handled correctly. They should be stored somewhere out of your way where they won’t pose a hazard.

The second reason is damage control. Stacking or leaning a paddle against a wall carelessly puts it at risk of falling over and potentially damaging itself. 

Your kayak paddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to kayaking as it is what helps you steer and control your kayak.

If you go out onto the water with a faulty paddle, you could end up in some serious trouble. So avoid this situation by making sure you store your paddle somewhere that is secure. 

Also, we recommend that you hang your paddle indoors. Some people may want to do this just for decoration,

but hanging your paddle from an indoor wall instead of an outdoor one helps protect it from the elements and harsh weather. This will make your paddle last longer and less likely to be damaged.

So now that you know why you should hang your paddle up on an indoor wall, let’s look at the steps you have to take to achieve this. 

How To Hang A Paddle From A Wall

The first step is to decide where you are going to hang your paddle. 

When it comes to installing the brackets, you will need to install them into a part of the wall called a stud.

These are only found on dry walls so if you are planning on hanging your paddle on a brick or stone wall, you will be fine just drilling into the wall anywhere.

However, with dry walls, the brackets will only be secure when installed onto the studs.

Studs are lengths of wood found within the walls that are used as support beams. Because of this, they are the best place to install your brackets so they are securely fixed to the wall.

Drill anywhere else, and you put your paddle at risk of falling off the wall.

So when looking for the right space to hand your paddle, work out where the studs are so you know where to install your brackets. 

For extra support, you can also install drywall anchors if you cannot drill into the studs of your drywall so remember to account for this when it is time to install your brackets.

Hanging a paddle from a wall is very easy and costs very little. 

All you need is a drill, some screws and some metal brackets that can easily be found at any DIY store. 

Use a measuring tape to decide where you want to install the metal brackets and mark them on the wall. You will definitely need at least two brackets and probably more to support the paddle shaft and stop it from distorting over time. 

How many brackets you need comes down to factors like cost and how long your paddle shaft is. We recommend around four, so your paddle is held securely against the wall and is supported throughout the whole shaft. 

Attach a screw to the bracket and drill it into the wall in the marked area. Make sure your brackets are straight and equal, so your oar won’t slide up or down.

Once all the brackets are in place, you can lift the oar into them and see how it looks on the wall. Then – you are done!

Tips And Tricks

When choosing where you want to hang your paddle, you will also want to consider how high you want to hang it up. 

Paddles are quite light so they are easy to lift and handle, but that does not mean you should hang them as high as possible.

Make sure you hang your paddle somewhere that is easy to reach so you don’t strain yourself trying to store or take out your paddle.

Also, you may want to hang your paddle above some soft flooring. If the brackets were to fall out, then your paddle is less likely to damage itself landing on something soft instead of hard floor.

Put a rug or blanket in the area underneath your paddle to help protect it just that little more. 

If you are looking for a decorative way to hang a kayak paddle permanently, then making your own leather straps is a good idea. 

They look more homely and appealing than metal brackets, so just get some strips of leather, fold them in half around the shaft of the paddle, then drill the two ends together into the wall. 

Just to make this clear – this method is for permanent, decorative uses. You won’t be able to remove your paddle frequently to use it with this method.  

Conclusion

And that is everything you need to know when it comes to hanging your kayak paddle from a wall!

It’s very affordable to do, plus it helps keep your paddle safe and secure. Remember to choose the right place to hang it and you will soon be able to enjoy that little less clutter in your garage.