Paddle length and feather

[FreakofSnow]

What are you guys rockin'?

I'm in the market for a new playboating paddle. Sounds like low angle is what people are leaning more towards these days.....

[Conundrum]

I'm 6', 210 lbs and only use one paddle now. I used to shorten up for play...193 AT2 30 for play and 200 ATX 45 for creeking but I kept breaking them so I went with a Werner Sidekick 197 bent shaft at 30 degrees. This thing is solid, at first I missed the feel of a foam core blade but got used to it and this paddle is bomber. I know a lot of guys are going anywhere from 30 down to 0 degree feathers. I'm not much of a playboater though so I put my paddle more on the river runner side of things.

[Storm11]

I just bought a Werner Player 197 Bent Shaft and I love it. It's kinda weird getting used to a bent shaft, but it definately helps. Don't think I'd want to take it creeking, but it's awesome for everything else. Mine is a 30 offset. The other company I was seriously considering was Lendal. I know a lot of people that shy away from breakdown paddles, but everybody who I've talked to who paddles a Lendal say that they are just as good as, if not better than, any one piece paddle they have ever bought and they will never paddle anything else. They're a bit pricey, but basically you buy one shaft and then you get to pick and choose whatever blade/offset combinations you want. I didn't have the money at the time, so I went with the good ole' time tested Werner. Another company I've been hearing a lot of good things about (though I could never find one to actually get my hands on) were H2O paddles.

[Yeti]

I'm using a Werner Player for all-around river running (I'm not much of a playboater) -- 45 deg feather, 194 cm (I'm 5'9; the taller she-Yeti has the 197 cm).

[MarsB]

I have two Whetstone 197s (one R1 blade 30 degree, one R2 45 degree offset) that I have been using for going on 4 years now. I am going to be pissed when I finally break or lose one, since Whetstone is no longer in business- they have been the shit!

[RootSkier]

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

[cloudpeak]

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

Wow, I hadn't heard that Hank stopped making paddles. When did that happen? Do you know what he's doing now?

Just curious.

[Conundrum]

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

Welcome to Werner, may I take your order?

You better not bust your stick or that is what you are going to be hearing...

[RootSkier]

8 years and going strong.











Fuck. Now it will break this weekend. It's all your fault, Conundrum!

[FreakofSnow]

Its looking like I might spring for the Double Diamond Carbon Werner. With the maggot discount at backcounty.com it becomes reasonable (not really, but better). I check out some galasport paddles at Canoe Rack yesterday, they look pretty sweet and apparently are well known in the Olympic paddling world.

Length - thinking 194 (I'm 5'10, 190lb). Not even sure what the length is on my current Werner Player.

root - where you guys going this weekend? I have to work a 48 on Fri and Sat but next week I'll be free again. I heard Koot is juicin' (overheard Seth Warren yesterday at the wave).

[RootSkier]

Don't get carbon if they make the same paddle in fiberglass.

Full fiberglass is more durable and easier on the shoulders/wrists/elbows, and it's cheaper.

I am probably just going to hit the upper Lochsa this weekend. Everything is going to be really, really high. The Bitterroot creeks are probably waaaay too high.

[FreakofSnow]

After thinking about how bomber my fiberglass paddle has been and taking your advise, i dropped the big billz on this sucka



194 Player Carbon, 30 degree

Tried'er out at the wave today, money!