I had a chance to spend a few days with this paddle recently and thought I would share my thoughts on it. We were paddling on the ocean in the vicinity of Wrangell Island and Etolin island in southeast Alaska.
When offered the chance to try out this paddle I immediately jumped at the opportunity. This is a beautiful paddle and the elegant curves of the shaft and color variations of the wood on the blade and handle are striking.
After picking up the paddle I was struck by it's light weight, a mere 22oz, and smooth finish. This paddle is extremely comfortable and when the paddle got passed around to other members of our canoeing party this was repeated by almost everyone. The paddle fit very naturally within my paddle stroke, much more comfortably than any straight blade paddle I have used.
I found this paddle to be extremely responsive. I could feel just enough spring at the end of the paddle stroke so that I felt like I was getting an extra push but it never felt mushy or flimsy. The large blade on this paddle pushes a ton of water and you can really keep up your speed. It feels effecient, something I really look for in a paddle.
Some of the other testers found that the j-stroke was more difficult given the shape of the shaft but I did not experience this, probably because I have used a bent shaft paddle in the past, albiet a straight shaft.
I wouldn't put this paddle in the economy section but if you do a good deal of paddling and want to put the least amount of stress possible on your body give it a test run. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.
A blog about my trip down the Mississippi River: http://www.uwca2gulf.blogspot.com. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bwcajohn
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