I've been paddling for about a year and I am about to purchase a playboat.

From what I have used and what I have seen other experienced paddlers use, Werner seems by and far the best manufacturer. I was looking at their website. The upper-class carbon fiber paddles are about MSRP $280, the slightly lower-class but more common colored paddles (fiberglass) are MSRP $230.

IS Werner the best company for a paddle? Are the higher end paddles (the carbon fiber ones) worth it, for anything ranging from river running to intermediate surfing and hole playing? How much should I be prepared to (reasonably) spend? I have no local dealers to compare Werner's online price with, say, a local shop's price.

Thanks.

Wow that is a lot of questions...

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a paddle outside of length and offset, as I am sure you have noticed.

Werner makes good paddles and have done so for years. I think you will find that their top end CF paddles are a little more costly than 280... Id lean closer to $450 for a top end Cf stick.

So which to paddle?

FG is less costly to manufacture but is not as strong or nearly as durable as CF. It is a trade off and you are going to loose "some" strength and durability with the fiberglass. As I have seen it the CF blades dont grind down as fast as FG. Also CF is lighter if you can tell the difference.

If you can identify what you want, there is a paddle for you...I did see something about playboating in which case you want a shorter length and somewhat smaller blades. I play with a wavedog collie and creek the wavedog golden and cant say enough good things about them. they are every bit as strong as any top end CF paddle but cheaper and pull far more class

Anyway good luck and keep in touch

I don't know what kind of paddling you will be doing, but one opinion is not to spend more money on a paddle than you are willing to lose (if you break it or lose it).

My opinion is that you should find a paddle that feels right for you. Some on would make the penis anology when you grab it, it fits your hand perfectly and you know you want to play with it... some might say this.

I have a ATX carbon, have had it for 4 years, run 10m waterfalls, many times in an airplain, had a friend drive over it and it still works perfect... and not to forget the first time I tried it I knew this was the one. Had I lost it the first season I might think differently, today every day this paddle is in one piece is a bonus. If you go with the expensive paddle just remember to hold on to it when you swim