160 lbs (ish), 5'8", boating a long time, these days spend most of my time on flatwater (riverfront is nice:) ) or class IIIish stuff. In the past paddled up to IV / V (first half of bottom moose, Hudson Gorge is my home river, Ottawa is a blast though I do find the volume a bit intimidating). I value time on the water with family / friends more than pushing the grade limits these days, and am content to try more difficult boats rather than water.
Also... I like paddles. I find a paddle I like, and stick with it (no pun intended). I also don't mind having spares for friends to use, so I'm willing to try different sticks (I have a Waterstick, Maxwell Johnson blade, and many others...).
Years ago I purchased what for a long time has been my favorite paddle - a Schlegal FGC Carbon blade, with the aluminum tip it weighed under 20 oz, and was perfectly balanced with exceptional water feel. I saved up tips front guiding all summer to get that stick, and even at wholesale it was $200... and that was almost 20 years ago! It wore out eventually. I still have it, and like to use it, but only on up to Class II, as I fear it will break one of these days, and I use it a bit gingerly. (the shaft deflects alarmingly when I paddle).
What I like in a paddle - light, great water feel, stiff, but not shoulder-jarring stiff, and beefy tip (lots of rocks around here...).
For the past few years I've been using a Rough Stuff Savage C1 stick. GREAT paddle for durability and weight, but water feel was not as good as I'd like (a bit "blocky", as the tip is extra thick with material rather than have an aluminum or dynel tip).
In talking to Andy Convery at Echo this spring, he mentioned they had a new stick out. I ended up ordering one (it's been a while since I picked up a new stick
).WOW.
I haven't used it enough to determine if it is just as good, or in fact better, than my old Schlegal. Weight is about 22 oz I think, water feel, especially feathering and release, is noticeably better than the Schlegal. The balance is a bit different, and I'm also still getting used to the oval grip.
Unless I'm creeking (as the Rough Stuff was made for) I think I've found my new go to paddle.
Here is a link:
http://www.echopaddles.com/catalog/item ... 847175.htm
(and yes, I HAVE spent more on some of my paddles than a lot of my boats!)
I also ordered a flatwater stick, as I've always wanted one (this is actually what I contacted Andy about first). He is truly a master craftsman / artisan, and it paddles just as beautifully as it looks.... which is saying something. I look forward to doing a bit of flatwater tripping with it this fall if time / weather allows. So far evening paddles with Mckenna in an old wooden stripping I'm in the process of resuscitating have been a blast.
http://www.echopaddles.com/catalog/item ... 847039.htm
