Hi
I've been using club gear for 4 years now and after recently getting my own kayak i need the vital piece of equipment which is a paddle. I have no idea really what im looking for so could people point me in the right directions? Paddle makes suggestions are welcome but im really looking for specifications on lengths and blade angles etc!
I am 5'6 , will be using the paddle for freestyle and river running/creeking but am only a beginner playboater so nothing to technical here guys!
Thanks Saz

probably a 191-194 cm paddle with 0 degree feather. As far as choices, Werner has some paddles like the Player that aren't extremely expensive that are fiberglass paddles built for playboating, or you could go with a paddle like the Desperado or Rio for a budget paddle that will still be very durable.

I would never recommend zero degree feather to anyone. Stick with 15 to 45. I prefer 30. Just my 2 cents.

Werner is a very good brand, you won't be sorry. H20 are also good. If you can afford it, WaveDog. WaveDog are nice wooden paddles... Something to consider.

I use a 45, but it seems like more people are going to 0 degrees, esp. for playboating. I guess that it would be for double pumps, you are a bit more balanced, and also for rolling, the paddle should clear the water better.

Whats the difference/point between the angles and also why wouldnt you reccomend a 0 degree? just curios... I have been looking at h2o 2's i think they're called.

Feathered paddles are made so they have less wind resistance. I use a 45 degree, as I already said, but you will get used to whatever paddle you get. I'm going to PM you a thread that you may want to look at.

I´ve got three paddles; two of them are 30° and one is 45°. AT and Werner. I prefer 30°.

There are a few in the market

www.atpaddles.com/category/157268/Whitewater

www.ophionpaddles.com

wernerpaddles.com

www.h2opaddles.com

www.tywarp.de/index.php?section=zProduktList&ptyp=1

I bet you can find more

feather angle is specific for everyone, playboater tends to have a 0 angle, creeker 15-30 deg. and slalomer 30-45

it's a general rules, there's always exception

for the lenght 185-188cm for playboating 187-190cm for creeking

with a shorter paddle it's easier to move around for freestyle move,
with a longer paddle you've got more power and more reach for creeking

if you want a paddle that do it all, you've got to buy a w1 select ultra with the varilock system

with the varilock system you've got infinite angle and 3cm lenght of adjustement

select-kayaks.com/en/paddles/kayak/

it's a two piece paddle and it's easy to carry and stiff, you won't feel it's a two piece

it maybe more expensive but it will fit you has you progress and found your personnal feather angle

length of the paddle is influnce also by the width of the boat you paddle

And dont forget Mitchell Blades... www.mitchellblades.co.uk

Downside will be actually seeing or trying the paddle, being a uk based company (so this may limit your range) but they're really helpfully and helped me no-end along with all the great info from fellow forum members... Also, a really attractive and fully customised option would be the ophion paddle, looks great....but again, they are relatively a small outfit... so actually getting your hands on one to try may be difficult....


lol... there's great business opportunity here... 'Paddles for You'? One stop shop

Good luck in finding your paddle

great advice here guys really apprciating it!

ophion paddles - very nice to paddle with, custom made, look fantastic and have reduced their prices

Hey Saz,
at 5ft 9" I'm using 188-191cm, 30deg paddles, so you'd probably want to look at something in or around that. If you're used to using club gear (in my experience) club paddles tend to be longer than this, so any new paddles might feel very short, but you'll get used to it.
I personally don't get on with cranks, so if you are thinking of the H2O's having only ever paddled straight shaft before, I'd recommend trying them out first if possible. I've no doubt if I did use them more I'd get used to them, but don't see the need, more expensive, so why bother!
As for which paddles: I have a set of RoughStuff Black Magics (buy Irish!), and a set of Werner Players, both of which I like. Relatively similar blade size on both. If you are looking at Werners and like me have small hands make sure you get the small diameter shaft, the standard shaft I find to be quite big. The Roughstuffs are slightly heavier, but are definitely wearing better than the Werners, so it's a bit of a trade off I guess.
Hope that's of some use!
Muireann

The H20-2's come in straight shaft. I was wondering if the cheaper Werner's are better than the H20-2. The h20-2 carbon is far cheaper than nearly all the fiberglass Werner's, but the werners are far more popular. Is there a difference in quality or have Werner just done a better job at marketing?

you pay for the quality you've got, personnaly i hate the flexy feeling of the h20 nylon blade, nylon blade will always be flexy
with werner you've got a fiberglass, kevlar or carbon paddle, it's stiffer
with a select paddle you'll pay more then a werner but you'll have a prepeg construction
they use this type of construction in aviation because it's light, stiff and tough
between a werner and an h20, i'll choose the werner for sure you can check the robson, galasport and tywarp too if it's available in your country

Hmm everyone seems to be pro werner. I was very set on H20's but considering i have never tried anything except my clubs blades which are with no disrespect crappy prijon kinetics with a straight shaft i dont really have much off an opinion. I suppose the best way to but in the end is to demo. I was told by someone yesterday that 185/6 would be perfect for me so thats the lenght sorted but as to blade sizes and cranks keep the info coming because im still very unsure.
And to everyone else thanks for the info.
Muirs a fellow irish person i was acually looking at the black magics, the cheaper galss version. How do you find the,m and which do you have?
Also (this question is to anyone) i would have thought glass would be a very weak option for a paddle. Am i wrong in thinking that it would just smash?

There are plenty of good paddles out there, depends on what you want to spend. Nevis bluff are a good fairly in-expensive paddle to do everything and werner or mitchell or h2o's anything goes.

Go for a feather if you want an all round paddle you can always get a specific play paddle later. Cost differance is huge as well as blade style, really try some out before you commit.

There is a paddle maker in Ireland that do awesome paddle, rough stuff if memory serves and really good blades to boot, maybe contact them.

jimb wrote:

you pay for the quality you've got, personnaly i hate the flexy feeling of the h20 nylon blade, nylon blade will always be flexy

My Desperado has nylon blades, but they are carbon reinforced, which makes them much stronger. It's only 1 oz. less than the Werner Stikine, but a few hundred dollars less. I would go with a paddle a bit longer than a 186, since you are probably still growing. I'm a few months younger than you, and a hair bit taller, and use a 200 cm. I checked out a 191 at a store though, and it seemed like it would be the right size. My only concern with getting a 191 is that if I got bigger, I would have to get another paddle, since it would be too small for me.

To answer your question: I have the middle of the range Black Magics (the twintex material) and I find it to be very very tough. Mine are 4 years old and still going strong. I also really like the feel of them, there's plenty of Roughstuffs around Ireland you should be able to get a demo off someone in your club I'd imagine. Try em and see if you like them!
Muireann

Cool thanks. Well the only person in my club who has his won paddle is the instructor!!! Its a teenagers club which originated from sea scouts and im the only one who is getting their own gear together. Im trying to find a new club at the moment but not many accept juniors except WWKC and Lacken. I'll probably end up in Lacken (if they'll take me )
Anyone else have anything to say on glass blades?


I would have thought glass would be a very weak option for a paddle? Is it just me or can i imagine a paddle with blades of glass smashing on contact? Or when they say glass do they mean fibreglass?

In the US, the closest thing that I have found to a club is just a group of people who paddle together, but you have to get your own gear. I think that some colleges have clubs though.

I say go for the Desperado, since it's not too expensive, it seems to be pretty durable, Werner has great quality control, and it is on par with most other paddles as far as weight. It also is the same blade design as what they use in their high-end paddles.

Also, they are normally going to be fiberglass, but I would put some kind of protection on the outside of the blade, like what you can see on the AT Eddy. I think that some people use some sort of door protector stuff, but I'm not positive.

Even if you are not used to it, I would take a bent shaft given the choice- I find that w/ a strait shaft if i do a lot of boating my thumb will start to hurt slightly.

Also, I don't think anyone mentioned it but the offset paddle blades also makes strokes more natural when your paddle is really vertical for more power. But then again I have an ancient paddle w/ about 70 degrees, so i may be a little biased =]

i have only ever had my H2O team paddle so i cant really compare. But i do think it is awesome, the price tag is hefty but i think it is worth it. it is feathered at 30 degrees so is at a good angle, also very light and easy to paddle with.

i got my paddle with my RAD 175 for only 350 pounds so you might be able to get it quite cheap.

i bought a galasprt exas at the weekend for the moment because it was really cheap in comparison to other paddles so between now and christmas probably im going to try out different paddles and see which suits. I also went for a 195cm in the end so i can use it for river running aswel as freestyle. hopefully it wont be too long. Im 5ft 6'

Hey, I think that I'm in about the same boat as you (no pun intended )
but I have a Werner player and I love it
www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/whitewater/premium/player/#
I have only been paddling for two years now but its great for river running and playboating

I'm not sure if there is only one or whether you can customize it or not, i just bought mine thinking it looked cool

anyways the dimensions or whatever are as follows

- small diameter shaft (I find that it helps because despite having big hands I can really grip it tight and i like the feeling)
- neutrally bent shaft (just plain comfortable for those full day paddles)
- i also think it has a 15 degree feather (you get use to it so quick that I find it doesn't matter whether your surfing or river running etc...)
as far as length, I'm 6'2 so have a 197
but because you are 5'6 I would suggest a 191

and another great paddle is an H2O Team
www.h2opaddles.com/whitewater.php
its a great paddle and really durable, and the scratches don't show up like they do on the Werner player
as far as dimensions.. I suggest what I have but its up to you and your personal preference really

good luck finding the right one for you!