paddles

[fattwins]

what paddles do you use and why. im debating between
lighting
seven 2
and AT right now.

[koolaideprived]

Currently use an old crappy lightning paddle. It's not super gnar but it does the job. Realllly drooling lately over a Werner Shogun with the ergonomic shaft and 0 degree feather though...

[orygun]

I normally paddle an older werner straight-shaft which does the job just fine, but last weekend I borrowed a buddy's seven 2 paddle (not sure which model), and it felt so much better. Im definitively thinking about getting one now. The ATs are sweet too though.

[fattwins]

paddles just seem to break too much. i like the price of lightings paddles so i think i might order 2. also trying to buy a seven 2 paddle used. if i like it ill keep it. the AT paddles look and feel good its just that paddles cost so damn much. the 0 degree is great for play but i like 30 to 45 feather cause i do more all round paddling.

[Busheedo]

AT's break and are "heavy feeling"
Seven 2 all carbons had a 100% return rate at out shop last year...
Lightning are cheep! yay

H2O paddles are BOMBER
Werner paddles are smooth as butter

Personal preferance H2O, cause I beat the *bleep* outta mine.

Feather no less then 13 degrees (zero just doese'nt work) people have a natural inclination to twinst thie wrists. No more then 30.

Deepwater, easy on paddles I would be allover the double diamond by werner. Foam core, light, and soo nice.

[RootSkier]

Lightning no longer exists, as far as I can tell. If you can find them, get them.

[Conundrum]

paddles just seem to break too much. i like the price of lightings paddles so i think i might order 2.

You could do that and give me one cause the lightning won't break. Same goes for Werner.

Any paddle will break but those two brands last a lot longer than anything else out for the majority. H2O sounds pretty promising but I think they've only been out for a couple years.

[fattwins]

are lighting out of biz? i have tried to mail them and have gotten nothing in return. people think that the boats are expensive in kayaking but i find its all the paddles that i have to go through.

[cloudpeak]

The site's still up. You could try calling (503) 824-2938.

[MarsB]

You could do that and give me one cause the lightning won't break. Same goes for Werner.

Add Whetstone (RIP) to that list. I finally got my second one back from my bro this weekend, five years and both are still rockin'!

[cloudpeak]

We tried calling Lightning's number. It doesn't work. I'm assuming that they are no longer in business.

[Conundrum]

pulled this from boatertalk, might be a source for lightning

http://www.paddlesdirect.com/kayak.htm

[fattwins]

too bad might have to buy an AT and then get a few werners on pro deal latter. how about double dutch?

[steved]

If anyone, for any reason ...at any time, goes for the single bladed stuff, and there's a Galasport Karas Double-Torque(shaft) lyin' around....give it a try... Takes single-bladed paddling to another level...

[Flaskman]

I've got the Werner Sidekick and it's great, but the handles/indexing on the Seven2 is a nice change. Be careful about the seven2's...some are plastic and others carbon...get carbon. 100% return rate on carbon? Wow...that ain't good. I'm going to go with a bent shaft on my next paddle.

[refried]

I'm real happy with my Werners, I have a straight 2 pc. Powerhouse for my IK's, Bent Sidekick for playboating, and an older straight Player for creeking.Will most likley be buying a 4pc. Player to keep as a spare. Great paddles, localy made, you can beat the hell out of the fiberglass blades, and they last forever.

[snowsprite]

On a related topic...

How do I know if my paddle is the proper length? The one I have right now is pretty long (well, longer than the one that came w/ the kayak), but I feel that the way I have to hold it is a bit awkward. And there are times that I smack my hand on the side of the kayak when I am paddling. This is a sit-on-top kayak by the way.

Do I need a longer paddle? I am also thinking that maybe I simply need to learn how to paddle better.

Sprite