I recently received two of the \"team\" color paddles in the mail from H2O paddles.
one is a 188cm with 30 degree feather and is great for playing
the other is a 194cm with 30 degree for creeking/cruising

I was coming from a 45 degree angle so I thought it would be very strange, but since the indexing and grip are so nice it only took me one afternoon to grow accustomed to the new angle.
Also, I wanted something strong like the Riot Premier that I had been paddling,but lighter, and the H2O paddles fit the bill perfectly. I heard a rumor that because of the strength,H2O has been able to make the team blades for next year just a little bit lighter (if that's true, I'll have to start saving my money rightnow)

My first impression of the blades is that they are really good play blades that feather exceptionally well. I worried about he power of the forward stroke because the \"catch\" part of the stroke doesn't feel as firm. But I noticed that if I just trust teh paddle I was moving my boat just as fast as all the paddles I have had in the past (with the exception of this super strange galasport race specific all carbon paddle I had once) I actually felt like I had more useable power than some of the AT paddles I've played with.

I\"ll write a full review when I hav the time to make more sense.
But for now I just want to say that these H2O paddles feel really good in the first paddling session and if they continue to impress me as much as theey already have then I'll surely use these paddles for a long time.

Strong but VERY heavy and I mean very.

there only about 38 oz or 1200 gm
what in the world do you mean heavy? I've had older Werners that were heavier and the Riots are MUCH heavier.
I'd love to know what you think ISN\"T heavy then (and still strong)

Hey y'all,

I use aH2O team paddle and so does my wife.
My daughter uses the H2O Kid and I outfitted our club with 10 H2O Straight shaft paddles.
For the record, these paddles are awesome.
I am really hard on gear and these paddles stand up to the test!
A bit heavier than some but they are bullet proof.
The grip on the bent shaft H2O team paddles are realy confortable and when you first order them, you can select the grip size to fit your hands.
To top it off, the service (if you ever need it) is second to none.
They have my vote and from the comments of those who use our club gear and the comments of my family and friends, I have many others that agree with me.
H2O rocks

Very heavy paddle. Let me make this clear. I've used the H20 paddle. It's not a little heavy its very heavy for a paddle. True they are strong and the grip is comfortabel but they are heavy. This may be worth the trade off to some people but not for me. The weight of this heavy paddle may contribute to a higher insidence of shoulder soreness such as Supraspinatur soreness and/or Tendonitis. Anyhow... I wouldn't buy this paddle. If you're looking for comfort, from my experience AT paddles are MUCH more comfortable and ergonomically correct.

just as light as others and stronger

I don't understand your insistence upon forcing an opinion on others when the scales do not support you. (what is your agenda?) I understand your love for AT paddles. I have friends that like the paddles too. But, they have never been comforatable to me and I have gone with other brands inclucing Werner, Mitchell, Riot, Rough Stuff, and some home made experiments.

a quick survey of paddles will show you that

AT weights range between 930g - 1100g and
H2O weights range between 910g - 1110g

These two brands are within a couple of grams depending on the model.
Additionally you'll see that
Werner is between about 990g - 1150g

Let's just admit this.
You have some reason to not like H2O and I happen to be very happy with them so far. I was simply trying to share my unbiased opinion about something that I just got excited over.
I also haopen to really not prefer AT paddles, and the ONLY way that impacts anyone is that I will choose something else to paddle with (in this case my new h2o paddles)

as an additional note, I was told that the \"team\" paddle has lost a few grams for this coming spring (just in time for bathing suit season )

ScottBarnes wrote:

just as light as others and stronger

I don't understand your insistence upon forcing an opinion on others when the scales do not support you. (what is your agenda?) I understand your love for AT paddles. I have friends that like the paddles too. But, they have never been comforatable to me and I have gone with other brands inclucing Werner, Mitchell, Riot, Rough Stuff, and some home made experiments.

a quick survey of paddles will show you that

AT weights range between 930g - 1100g and
H2O weights range between 910g - 1110g

These two brands are within a couple of grams depending on the model.
Additionally you'll see that
Werner is between about 990g - 1150g

Let's just admit this.
You have some reason to not like H2O and I happen to be very happy with them so far. I was simply trying to share my unbiased opinion about something that I just got excited over.
I also haopen to really not prefer AT paddles, and the ONLY way that impacts anyone is that I will choose something else to paddle with (in this case my new h2o paddles)

as an additional note, I was told that the \"team\" paddle has lost a few grams for this coming spring (just in time for bathing suit season )

You're absolutley right. I don't like the paddle for \"some reason\" which is tha it is too heavy. It is actualy an unbiased opinion as I mentioned both the pros and cons which were. Pro's: strong and comfortable grip. Con's: Heavy. How is this biased. Especially since I said that it was my personal opinion and not a \"truth\"? Yeah I think it's heavy, and the trade off between strength and weight is not worth it too me. Also I would not buy any other paddle which is as heavy as the H2O paddle. However after looking at their website I see that they do offer some paddles which are lighter. All the ones I've used were heavy.

Well, each to his own. I paddled with my H20-2 for 3 weeks now on the ocean. Love it

I replaced my Rough Stuff with H2o Teams and they feel lighter and stronger.
A few of us went to the white nile last summer and i can't remember exactly how many paddles where brought in the group but all the H2o's came home intact. The same could not be said for the others. In fact if I remember no other paddles that where used came back intact. None of us used AT's but Rob in the Hairy lemon used a few broken ones to serve drinks on. Now I know different paddlers put different stresses on blades so its far from a scientific test but I'm sold on them now.
AT's may well be a tad lighter but on this side of the pond they are more than a tad dearer so H2o's better value IMO
The grips are the dogs too !

I've paddled with werners AT's AB's H20's but I'm now using a mitchell rodeo and I really like it. The catch and bouancy of the blade is awsome. This paddle is the best of both worlds. It stays warm in the winter because it's wood, but it has the durability of a carbon paddle because of the blades. Since the blades are wood core they float a little but they won't get punctured like a foam core blade. The shaft of the paddle floats really high if someone were to loose it. I liked the h20 paddles also but i wanted to try something new after I broke my AT. BTW, my paddle has the nicest catch of any paddle I've ever used.

Hey Mr Whitewaterrules,


My mother (54)has one and she has some very good ways of helping you through your shoulder woe. I am very excited about this so hold on kiddies

This is what she did to help her with her 50 year old shoulders and maybe if a winter of this dosen't help you at least it will set you up for a solid season of lawn bowling.

Billy’s mother Beth here, I am actually 54 going on 40 my advice for you is
Hit the gym, the reason your shoulders hurt is your little traps are being over powered by your bigger pecs. This problem has nothing to do with your paddle weight or that you may be built like a pre-pubescent schoolgirl. It has everything to do with your muscle content or in your case the lack of it is causing the problem. (billy, he he) What you can do is stretch your little pec muscles a bit make sure that you stretch to your full motion and at the gym. Use Map Quest to find your way there. While you are there, use an upright row to develop your back. Make sure you are looking at your skinny carcass in the mirror. When you start go light. (Serious now) Start light, look in the mirror and make sure your shoulders don't go up when you pull back, elbows down and low. I found that my son had the same problem too. (His sniveling with glee just ended) your shoulders roll forward and the pecs take over. This stretches them a bit and takes the strain off the traps at the back. Remember to keep your posture at all times when doing any work out. Remember your mom saying to you stand up straight, it helped your body grow into the right position and now you weren’t listing to her were you!!
One more thing, (shut up billy). Lie on your side, arm supporting your head. Pull your shoulder back and rest your elbow on your hip. Lift the weight from the floor toward the sky. I use a 12-pound weight 12x12reps and then decrease to 8x8reps and then 5x5reps. You might try working with a bit less to start. That will toughen your little shoulders up and then you can stop paying so much for a paddle not to mention it must be embarrassing to buy a pricy paddle to dodge a couple ounces.
See www.elderly.com for more tips and tricks

Ps: I sent a photo to give you inspiration tack it on your wall. This lady is named Brenda Nieuwenhuis mother 4 and gave birth to paddling super hero Dave
Nieuwenhuis

I have to agree with Nathan about the Mitchell paddles. I used various designs from them and really enjoyed the blades. You're right, best catch of all the paddles out there (except for the slalom specific Galasports, but those Gala paddles suck for play).

My problem was durability. I was going through those paddles at a rate of 3 to 1 when compared to other friends who had Mitchell Paddles. They are not weak. I'm just a meathead with my paddles, so I went to the Riot Premier. (now THOSE are actually heavy) I\"m happy to be back with something lighter again (h2o).

if anyone gets a chance to use a Mitchell, I'd say go for it!

Hmmm now that's a yummy mummy......... strange thinglings in my pants
Good god Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Jaysus Billy can I have some of what your on

BillyHarris wrote:

Hey Mr Whitewaterrules,


My mother (54)has one and she has some very good ways of helping you through your shoulder woe. I am very excited about this so hold on kiddies

This is what she did to help her with her 50 year old shoulders and maybe if a winter of this dosen't help you at least it will set you up for a solid season of lawn bowling.

Billy’s mother Beth here, I am actually 54 going on 40 my advice for you is
Hit the gym, the reason your shoulders hurt is your little traps are being over powered by your bigger pecs. This problem has nothing to do with your paddle weight or that you may be built like a pre-pubescent schoolgirl. It has everything to do with your muscle content or in your case the lack of it is causing the problem. (billy, he he) What you can do is stretch your little pec muscles a bit make sure that you stretch to your full motion and at the gym. Use Map Quest to find your way there. While you are there, use an upright row to develop your back. Make sure you are looking at your skinny carcass in the mirror. When you start go light. (Serious now) Start light, look in the mirror and make sure your shoulders don't go up when you pull back, elbows down and low. I found that my son had the same problem too. (His sniveling with glee just ended) your shoulders roll forward and the pecs take over. This stretches them a bit and takes the strain off the traps at the back. Remember to keep your posture at all times when doing any work out. Remember your mom saying to you stand up straight, it helped your body grow into the right position and now you weren’t listing to her were you!!
One more thing, (shut up billy). Lie on your side, arm supporting your head. Pull your shoulder back and rest your elbow on your hip. Lift the weight from the floor toward the sky. I use a 12-pound weight 12x12reps and then decrease to 8x8reps and then 5x5reps. You might try working with a bit less to start. That will toughen your little shoulders up and then you can stop paying so much for a paddle not to mention it must be embarrassing to buy a pricy paddle to dodge a couple ounces.
See www.elderly.com for more tips and tricks

Ps: I sent a photo to give you inspiration tack it on your wall. This lady is named Brenda Nieuwenhuis mother 4 and gave birth to paddling super hero Dave
Nieuwenhuis

The Glenohumeral Joint, Acromio-Clavicular Joint, and Sternoclavicular Joint which all makes up the shoulder complex and all of its musculature, intervation and blood supply are far more complex that your flawed assumption.

Actually... shoulder pain is more often due to trapezius tightness, brachial complex compression, but most common is Rotator Cuff pathology... Usually the Supraspinatus it the muscle involved. Your shoulder is like a golfball on a tee, the rotator cuff is the primary stabilizer. And due to the Supraspinatus playing such a critical role in stabilization and its small size it tends to get injured most often. Also, the tubercle on top of the humeral head often compresses the Supraspinatus Tendon against the inderside of the Acromion, causing trauma inflamation which over time may lead to calcium deposits and/or keloid starring.

And lastly... the TRAPEZIUS complex (upper/middle/lower) is actualy VERY WELL DEVELOPED already in kayakers since the motion of kayaking is a pulling motion unlike most sports. With most sports other than kayaking the Pectoralis major and Pectoralis Minor do tend to overdevelop but NOT in Kayaking.

A word of caution before giving a one size fits all advice think that you could realy do someone harm by giving the wrong advice. Be advised that if one should have an ongoing shoulder issue professional medical attention is critical.

Sorry this was so long but it is important.

Paddle-Safe everyone,
Whitewaterules

YOUR BEING SERIOUS, thats funny. Put your dictonary away, get off your computer, do something with yourself. Cause dude, your way to serious.

I have some inspiration, see photos on my profile. oh and super,Glenohumeral,Acromio-Clavicular this.

Or just call animal control, cause There are PYTHON on the loose, you seel the pythons................ oh yes you do don't ya......!!!!!!!

hugs and kisses,
Billy:dance:

BillyHarris wrote:

YOUR BEING SERIOUS, thats funny. Put your dictonary away, get off your computer, do something with yourself. Cause dude, your way to serious.

I have some inspiration, see photos on my profile. oh and super,Glenohumeral,Acromio-Clavicular this.

Or just call animal control, cause There are PYTHON on the loose, you seel the pythons................ oh yes you do don't ya......!!!!!!!

hugs and kisses,
Billy:dance:

Okay Billy... nice picture! You don't know anything about me to make any assumptions so your thinking is basic and irrational. But that's okay it is another example of your simple and misinfromed mind. Thirdly I was trying to be nice. Well let's not be if you so choose..

Your points in your article were just plainly incorrect. Oh also as for inspiration in your photos you should know that I don't care enough to look and I don't measure my happiness and success as you do, by comparing myself to others due to my own ego centric insecurities. I love myself and I am glad I am not like you. Your imaginary audience awaits your response Billy.

Thank's for the huggs and kisses same to you.

You must have felt realy chanenged if you spend so much energy getting so defensive. Now you are just plain amusing me. I hope you respond to this I am VERY curious to see what else you come up with.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules

Seconds out round What !!!!!!!
Hey Whitewater rules pull those At's out of yer ass a bit buddy. Billy's responce was clearly tounge in cheek and attempting a character asassination as a reply is a little OTT.
That said he clearly knows what buttons to push on you and hasn't refrained from doing so.
So could the two of you chill a little.
Its obivious that Mr. Harris being sponsered by H2o will support his sponsers loyalty. I suspect Mr. Rules is in a simalar situation but that has not been declared.

Now taking this thread back to where it origonated.
I managed to see the 07 proto's for the H2o-2 and teams the other day and yes they have shaved a couple of grams off the paddle weight.
The H2o-2's also have a very sexy silver loom. With any look these puppy's will go into full production some time in the future.
I,ve learnt to be patient in Ireland as we usually get the \"HYPE\" long before we get the product over here. Especially with Dagger Pyrana and Wavesport but Hype and boat prices is a whole other thread


ps I too love my self ( but in an unacompanied sex type of way)
I suspect Billy loves himself too (In a Kissing pecks mirror type of way )
and Whitewaterrules loves himself ( in a not like anybody else way)
How do you love yourself

brenmaster wrote:

Seconds out round What !!!!!!!
Hey Whitewater rules pull those At's out of yer ass a bit buddy. Billy's responce was clearly tounge in cheek and attempting a character asassination as a reply is a little OTT.
That said he clearly knows what buttons to push on you and hasn't refrained from doing so.
So could the two of you chill a little.
Its obivious that Mr. Harris being sponsered by H2o will support his sponsers loyalty. I suspect Mr. Rules is in a simalar situation but that has not been declared.

ps I too love my self ( but in an unacompanied sex type of way)
I suspect Billy loves himself too (In a Kissing pecks mirror type of way )
and Whitewaterrules loves himself ( in a not like anybody else way)
How do you love yourself

I like my AT's in my bung hole, they are quite ergonomically comfortable Brenny. Do you mind if I call you Brenny? Also, I have no buttons for anyone to push... lol this is just a conversation on the internet, why would I get upset? Last of all \"buddy\" I wrote what I was thinking nothing more nothing less.
The fact is he is wrong, I responded nicely, he became upset and confrontational, and you sir are too worried about it. Doesn't phase me at all, not too worried about it. If I were to get all worried about it I may have called you a floppy donkey phalace but... anyways...

I love you Bren... Just because you're bisexual doesn't mean you can treat me like with dierespect around straight people. Have you told your parents about us like you promised? Also there's something brown on your nose. Is that from me or Billy? If it is from Billy I'm jealous.

This is so much fun! I hope you write back. I'm egarly awaiting your response.

Love,
Whitewaterules

Seriously dude you need to lighten up a little. I'm just having a laugh and I'm sorry if I have offended you.

I won't be coming back to this thread...... ouch !

brenmaster wrote:

Seriously dude you need to lighten up a little. I'm just having a laugh and I'm sorry if I have offended you.

I won't be coming back to this thread...... ouch !

Well hey I'm just having a laugh myslef. Like I said, I'm not too worried about it, you didn't offend me. These are just words on the internet.

Hey not to sound imature but you started the disrespect. Talking about putting AT's in my ass. If you can't stand the heat don't start the fire.

My original coments were nothing but informative and coordial.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules

Hey not to sound imature but you started the disrespect.

thats only borderline imature its the name calling that got you there

Talking about putting AT's in my ass. If you can't stand the heat don't start the fire.

Pulling paddles out of yer ass is only a figure of speech.
I have apologised and yet you can't seem to let it go.
Please stop the Pm's and refocus that chip on your shoulder to Billy

HE STARTED IT

brenmaster wrote:

Hey not to sound imature but you started the disrespect.

thats only borderline imature its the name calling that got you there

Talking about putting AT's in my ass. If you can't stand the heat don't start the fire.

Pulling paddles out of yer ass is only a figure of speech.
I have apologised and yet you can't seem to let it go.
Please stop the Pm's and refocus that chip on your shoulder to Billy

HE STARTED IT

Brenmaster, you are not making sense. You are the one who told me to pull the paddle out of my gapping hole. I just happened to confirm your assumption and mentioned that I like it there, their ergonomic design is very comfortable. Here is something you may not know... the 30 degree offset is much more comfortable than the 90 which is a bit too much for the large colon.

Also... you wrote that I can't let it go... Actually, I wrote in my last post that I wasn't worried about it, reminded you that you started the disrespect and like you, I was just having some fun. So to recap, if you can't stand the heat don't start a fire.

Well I won't apologize because rationaly speaking I have nothing to appologize for. But I do accept your appology for being disrespectful as you were disrespectful.

About Benny... all I have to say is that his picture leads me to beleive he is self-absorbed and that was confirmed to me after his bung hole of a response to my coment on trapezius tightness and shoulder injury. Maybe there is a reason that although he is a talented paddler he is struggling to get sponsorship. Probably more to do with his charachter than his paddling.

Lastly... my opinions are only my own, I'm humble. I may be wrong I may be right, that doesn't matter what matters is this is fun.

Peace,
Whitewaterules

Hey Kiddies,

Just goofin, none of this is really serious. I just like havin a good time, abuse runs in my veins. Its fun kinda abuse, the good stuff that we all tease each other about. I do alot of stupid stuff and make myself a target of sorts. I never intended for anyone to be offended or take anything seriously least of all me. As for the photo, It was in bad taste Where ever you are and what ever you do enjoy yourselves. If you do it it should make you happy.

I am going to post some more photos some are pretty funny, I hope you don't get offended, as usual Its all just in fun. I would like to point out that if you can't make fun of yourself then you can't make fun of anyone else.

Keep well, have fun and my appologies for offending anyone

Billy

calm down you guys, props to billy for bringing things back to reality. Id like to think that these are more than \" words on the interent\", i personally hold that nothing should be said over the interent that you wouldnt say directly to someones face and, judging by billys avatar, id be careful what id say then to:roflol:

hahhaha... nice Robmiester.

Well, that was fun....

And now for something completely different.

(too bad I can't post the music from Monty Python's FLying Circus... hmm I guess that kinda dates me doesn't it..)

I think that concludes this thread, hopefully

nnnnnnnnOOOOOOOOOO. Don't stop now with all the rivalry. I kind of enjoyed it these last couple of days. Seems to me Dr Whitewaterrules that you are a bit sensitive and that you take it a bit personal when someone disagree with you. But don’t worry; my little brother had the same problem. We solved the problem by buying him an Anthony Robbins’ book “How to be a better person”. Strangely enough, it helped him with his beck deck roll as well. So you might get more than you bargain for.
Cheers all

robmeister wrote:

calm down you guys, props to billy for bringing things back to reality. Id like to think that these are more than \" words on the interent\", i personally hold that nothing should be said over the interent that you wouldnt say directly to someones face and, judging by billys avatar, id be careful what id say then to:roflol:

*grin* I really hope the picture on Billy's avatar is not his face

kotzejoe wrote:

nnnnnnnnOOOOOOOOOO. Don't stop now with all the rivalry. I kind of enjoyed it these last couple of days. Seems to me Dr Whitewaterrules that you are a bit sensitive and that you take it a bit personal when someone disagree with you. But don’t worry; my little brother had the same problem. We solved the problem by buying him an Anthony Robbins’ book “How to be a better person”. Strangely enough, it helped him with his beck deck roll as well. So you might get more than you bargain for.
Cheers all

Actually Kitzjoe I have no problem when people disagree with me. If you look at what was written more carefully I think you may see what I mean. I know that there is no such thing as absolute truth, since our perceptions are imperfect and all of our thoughts and experiences are subjective. I only returned the favor of disrespect that was directed at me. I have no problem with people disagreeing with my ideas. Also like I said, I wasn't the least bit upset, just having with responding to inconsiderate and disrespectful coments made at me.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules