Best paddle?

Thanks for all the advice.

I have tried a 230cm and that seemed the right size and it sounds like you guys don't really see a difference between companies. Just the size and paddle width. I got myself a longer paddle of the same type I have and it should be here tomorrow. Its a Northwest Passage 230cm btw.

I wouldn't say we don't see a difference between companies.  I'm sort of "brand loyal" to Werner as I've paddled both their whitewater and touring paddles for years.  I do like as stiff a paddle as possible and Werner offsers a solid paddle in this sense.

-Allen

I paddle with a Werner Kauai 230 that I've been carrying back and forth between Seattle and San Jose.  I've tried 240's and they feel too long.  I've been considering getting a Werner Corryvrecken for myself for Seattle.  It's a bigger paddle blade than the Kauai.  I've heard all about the fatigue factor when using larger faced paddles, but I think I can handle it.
-Allen

Hey Allen,
I was faced with the same dilemma recently, I like the Werner paddles so I used their site and they recommended the Werner Camano 220. I tried it but it felt too weak and too short....I am not really an athlete but I need power in my paddle so I changed to a Corryvrecken 230cm...I love it! I recommend it! I sail a scupper pro 2 hatch and I am 5'10 and 205lbs.
Alain

Allen, the Werner folks make me crazy.............

Even their own site says I need a 240cm (I currently paddle a 240 and they are right) but they won't give me the option of the larger blade.  They don't make the larger blade in a 240.  Since I am often maneuvering my boat more than going for 4 hour paddles I like the larger blade face. 

So, it looks like I will not be getting a Werner for my next paddle.........

Pat

So Pat ... I'm gonna guess you selected "low angle paddler".  Werner doesn't have a "big blade" for low angles.

I think SOT is really high angle paddling as your height off the water almost forces the issue.  Although shorter people may be able to make the argument that they are low angle paddling.

-Allen

seabreeze, maybe a small blade paddle for long distance and a shorter canoe style paddle with a big blade for
maneuvering around kelp?

maybe it's just me, but controlling the low speed manuevers with a big blade feels clumsy.

the problem with tendonitus type injuries is that once you get them you're pretty much hosed. One long day
with a big blade and you could be out for the season.

a lot of new cyclists make the mistake of pushing too high a gear. I would bet that is the default mistake
with paddlers, picking a blade a bit on the large side cause it feels good on the short trips.

I don't even like to wear gloves when paddling a surfboard. that little bit of extra weight on the end of your
arms is deadly for the shoulders.

one other interesting dynamic is that the wider blade means you actually can't get as high angle as with
a narrow paddle!  I am using this relatively short super narrow blade paddle and when I want to crank it, I paddle
real high angle, right next to the boat on either side. just get the RPMs up.

yet another thing is that some flex, if it rebounds right, can be more forgiving than a super stiff paddle.
my paddle has some flex, but if the stroke is timed right it feels good. jury's out on that one.

allen, we'll have to race across the forebay one day, test out the relative approaches,  . I'm past
my physical prime and 75% of your weight,
but I think I can take you.  just remind me to warm up first. 

No fair John ... I'm paddling a Triple.  Ah nevermind, I can still beat you!!!   

To understand my paddle technique, you need to take a look at how it developed.  I started paddling as a whitewater paddler.  In whitewater, you are at extreme high angle, almost vertical at times.  And the paddling style is such that you make short bursts, hard short strokes, not steady sweeps.  A few years back I started adventure racing and was the strongest paddler in my group.  As such I was always paddling the rear on doubles and triples.  The rear guy is responsible for stearing, and again you make hard short strokes to correct direction.  However, you don't want to loose speed by correcting direction on on a rudder stroke or a sweep stoke. Instead, you just want to pull harder on one side to keep speed and make corrections.  So, my style has developed into more of a "pull" instead of a "sweap" so I get more of my power at the beginning of the stroke.  Therefore, a stiffer paddle is better for me because I don't have anything left at the sweep portion of my stroke to take advantage of the flex (if that even helps you at all).

I've never had shoulder problems from paddling.  I have had shoulder problems due to other issues, but have not found that paddling aggravates it at all.  Well, if I do a high brace with bad form, it can cause some discomfort.  But I don't whitewater paddle anymore and I haven't needed to high brace while kayak fishing.

So there you have it, an anatomy of my paddling technique.

-Allen

The best paddle I have seen is Allan in the back and me in the front of the triple. I don't even havve to use a paddle in that case! 

there goes bill again .....always bossing around the Islanders  .....he gets me to carry his kayak and then gets Allen to paddle for him Bill, you are defintely a DICKtator   

 

 

I will race. all three of you at once.

how about this:

let's put mooch in the front of the triple, no paddle, allen in the back of the triple, no paddle.
bill in the middle with a paddle and I will take all three of you dudes down! 

You know what ... we really should have an NCKA race.

-Allen

It would be interesting to see who's the fastest paddler in the group.  I know it won't be me.  My guess is that it'll be someone like Bluekayak, JeffW, or Chef Stefano.

you'd have to have a long and a short event. nobody is good at both sprints and distance.

but who wants to race when you could be fishing? better to just talk idle smack, much less work, 

Yep.  I picked low angle paddling because when I have a distance to go I stop digging in and use a full body twist/push stroke that is rather sweeping fron near the bow to my butt.

It is an efficient/steady stroke.

I found Werner's conclusion cool since I do in fact use a 240......