Thread: Paddle length and feather

What are you guys rockin'?

I'm in the market for a new playboating paddle. Sounds like low angle is what people are leaning more towards these days.....

I'm 6', 210 lbs and only use one paddle now. I used to shorten up for play...193 AT2 30 for play and 200 ATX 45 for creeking but I kept breaking them so I went with a Werner Sidekick 197 bent shaft at 30 degrees. This thing is solid, at first I missed the feel of a foam core blade but got used to it and this paddle is bomber. I know a lot of guys are going anywhere from 30 down to 0 degree feathers. I'm not much of a playboater though so I put my paddle more on the river runner side of things.

I just bought a Werner Player 197 Bent Shaft and I love it. It's kinda weird getting used to a bent shaft, but it definately helps. Don't think I'd want to take it creeking, but it's awesome for everything else. Mine is a 30 offset. The other company I was seriously considering was Lendal. I know a lot of people that shy away from breakdown paddles, but everybody who I've talked to who paddles a Lendal say that they are just as good as, if not better than, any one piece paddle they have ever bought and they will never paddle anything else. They're a bit pricey, but basically you buy one shaft and then you get to pick and choose whatever blade/offset combinations you want. I didn't have the money at the time, so I went with the good ole' time tested Werner. Another company I've been hearing a lot of good things about (though I could never find one to actually get my hands on) were H2O paddles.

I'm using a Werner Player for all-around river running (I'm not much of a playboater) -- 45 deg feather, 194 cm (I'm 5'9; the taller she-Yeti has the 197 cm).

I have two Whetstone 197s (one R1 blade 30 degree, one R2 45 degree offset) that I have been using for going on 4 years now. I am going to be pissed when I finally break or lose one, since Whetstone is no longer in business- they have been the shit!

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

Wow, I hadn't heard that Hank stopped making paddles. When did that happen? Do you know what he's doing now?

Just curious.

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Now that Lightning is gone, the world of paddles sucks.

Welcome to Werner, may I take your order?

You better not bust your stick or that is what you are going to be hearing...

8 years and going strong.











Fuck. Now it will break this weekend. It's all your fault, Conundrum!

Its looking like I might spring for the Double Diamond Carbon Werner. With the maggot discount at backcounty.com it becomes reasonable (not really, but better). I check out some galasport paddles at Canoe Rack yesterday, they look pretty sweet and apparently are well known in the Olympic paddling world.

Length - thinking 194 (I'm 5'10, 190lb). Not even sure what the length is on my current Werner Player.

root - where you guys going this weekend? I have to work a 48 on Fri and Sat but next week I'll be free again. I heard Koot is juicin' (overheard Seth Warren yesterday at the wave).

Don't get carbon if they make the same paddle in fiberglass.

Full fiberglass is more durable and easier on the shoulders/wrists/elbows, and it's cheaper.

I am probably just going to hit the upper Lochsa this weekend. Everything is going to be really, really high. The Bitterroot creeks are probably waaaay too high.

After thinking about how bomber my fiberglass paddle has been and taking your advise, i dropped the big billz on this sucka



194 Player Carbon, 30 degree

Tried'er out at the wave today, money!