SWriverstone
Paddler
Hi All: I'm a longtime user of a Werner Camano straight-shaft paddle (230cm). I'm a very fit, strong paddler (I paddle several times a week for fitness), and generally paddle at a high angle. The Camano is intended as a low-angle paddle, but I've found it doesn't slow me down at all using it at high angles. I'm primarily a touring paddler—I'd like to get into more ocean play and rock gardening someday but touring is definitely where I spend by far the most time.
I want to buy a new bent-shaft paddle (I'm a lifelong whitewater paddler and have used bent-shaft paddles so am familiar with them). I've been happy with my Werner paddle so lean towards sticking with Werner—but I'm open to other brands.
The challenge, of course, is knowing what paddle to buy when I can't easily go for a long paddle with each to test them out? (I'm not sure how much paddling for 5 minutes with several paddles would tell me, but it might help?)
As a high-angle paddler, I'm wondering if one of the Werner high-angle paddles (e.g. Correyvreckan, Ikelos, etc.) would be better? My concern is that I don't want a paddle shorter than 230cm as I paddle a relatively wide boat (a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 - 23.75" wide). It appears Werner only makes the high-angle blades in shorter lengths (but I'm guessing they make a custom at a longer length).
Finally, I should add that while I'm intrigued by Greenland-style paddles, I'm not sure I'm ready to spend money on one without really testing it first (if possible). Though I know there are other benefits to Greenland-style paddles, I also know many switch to them because they're having difficulty with the physical stress of a "bucket blade" paddle—and I have zero such stress with the buckets.
I'm also wondering if a Greenland paddle is ideal if my goal is high speeds over very long distances? I tend to paddle at 4 knots minimum (and can do that all day).
Thanks in advance for any observations or suggestions!
Scott
I want to buy a new bent-shaft paddle (I'm a lifelong whitewater paddler and have used bent-shaft paddles so am familiar with them). I've been happy with my Werner paddle so lean towards sticking with Werner—but I'm open to other brands.
The challenge, of course, is knowing what paddle to buy when I can't easily go for a long paddle with each to test them out? (I'm not sure how much paddling for 5 minutes with several paddles would tell me, but it might help?)
As a high-angle paddler, I'm wondering if one of the Werner high-angle paddles (e.g. Correyvreckan, Ikelos, etc.) would be better? My concern is that I don't want a paddle shorter than 230cm as I paddle a relatively wide boat (a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 - 23.75" wide). It appears Werner only makes the high-angle blades in shorter lengths (but I'm guessing they make a custom at a longer length).
Finally, I should add that while I'm intrigued by Greenland-style paddles, I'm not sure I'm ready to spend money on one without really testing it first (if possible). Though I know there are other benefits to Greenland-style paddles, I also know many switch to them because they're having difficulty with the physical stress of a "bucket blade" paddle—and I have zero such stress with the buckets.
Thanks in advance for any observations or suggestions!
Scott