I am looking at purchasing an AT3 Edge or AT4 Play paddle to be used mainly park and play and light river running. Thinkin' 194cm RHC 15 degree offset. Any thoughts on either. BoaterTalk reviews weren't very good on the AT4 Play and i cannot find any on the AT3e

MyStats: Project 52; 165 lbs; 5'8\"

Hi Chrisholm,
I have an AT Standard. I think AT's are by far the most ergonomic paddles out there, huge difference. It feels like you have nothing in your hand and the paddle is just an extention of your arms. I've used Werner's and Watersticks and AT is much more comfortable and has virtually no flutter as you pass the blade through the water. Their customer service is awsome from my experience. I may suggest you go with one length longer (196cm). The 194cm is nice but you may find it a bit too short. Your stroke rate may feel a bit too fast.. I say this because although the length of the whole paddle is 194cm, the grips are a bit closer than you would find with the same length on other paddles. That's because their blades are a bit longer and thinner than other blades out there. Therefore the hand grips are proportionaly a bit closer together.

Anyhow... I hope this helps. Untimatley if you can demo a paddle or at least hold one, it will be your best bet.

Peace in the Middle-East,
Whitewaterules:2cents:

Thanks for the advice. I will size up to a 196 when I purchase. Unfortunately there isn't an AT vendor for Hundreds of miles of my location. Buying on reputation and paddlers advice.

I personally found them to be too wide I use a 191 paddle most of the time 194 ATs were too wide and made it awkard where i found the 191 or 188 to be fine! if you play alot or use shorter boats then I would stick to the shorter length or get to somewhere when you can just pick up the different lengths and have a swing you should be able to eliminate them quite quickly and go for what feels right

Good luck with your new paddles

Sounds like good advice. I found a dealer (Midwest Mountaineering) in Minneapolis. 250+ miles away. I am going to contact them and see what they have on hand. Maybe it will be worth it to make the drive sometime this winter.

How tall are you? What paddle are you using?

I read the AT4 reveiws on Boatertalk and began to worry about construction issues and warranty service, 250 miles is a long way if there are issues.

if your looking into doing playboating, ive heard the at2 flexi shafts are the way to go, but do whatever. i personally love at. I do know a guy who broke his first time paddling it on an easy class two section, but they replaced it for him right away.

ps- are you by any chance the chris holm of municycling fame?

Not 'Chris Holm' but Chisholm. Just a poor dirt farmer from Minnesota. ha ha I hope that isn't a let down.
I guess the only way to be sure is to swing a few different models. Can't be shelling out 400 clams and not get the right paddle.

Again, Thanks for the 411

are you really going two pay that much for a paddle? You shouldnt ahve to, try boatertalks(sorry jeroen but the market here is more international than national) gear swap page and see if you can find soemthing used around you for about half that. Also check out local websites, you really shouldnt have to pay 400 bucks for an at.

I've been watching both boatertalk and ebay but haven't found anything to my liking. I really don't want to pay over 250USD.
Does AT stand behind the paddle if you bought it from someone other than a retailer? EI used from Joe Schmo

i think it depends who you know. i live in eugene which is about three hours away from where they are made, so basicaklly most people have them. A guy i knew bought one second hand and they replaced it, but he had an in with the company, i dont know if they would do it otherwise. Proabbly not becasue that would decrease the insentive even further to buy a new paddle.

i'll probably end up paying the full price to get the warranty. more than likely won't have any problems with it, but just in case. it's sort of an insurance policy. got afew months before the spring thaw, so i'll keep checking the web for any specials and bargains.

I got a used only a few times 194 AT4 play for 175 +20 bucks S+H on Ebay and I'll get it any day now. I drive a Blaze 6.9, am 5'6\"/130# and from using various paddles over the past few years, I made the judgment call to get it without having tried it. Originally, the paddle was part of an auction for a kayak, skirt, helmet, pfd, and paddle. I asked the seller if he'd sell the paddle separately and he gave me the sweet deal. If you see a paddle you like with a package deal on Ebay, it's worth asking the seller to break up the items.

Let me know what you think of the paddle after you are able to use it.
B