paddle

[nam]

I am thinking of ordering a Michell carbon graphite, premier curve bladed paddle.

Does any body have any sugggestion for rodeo?

I think I 'd better off getting a flat blade.

I not sure about the wooden blade and graphite shaft or go for an all carbon paddle.

Yeah finnally I saved enough money to buy one. I am still using a kevlar rafting- modified to c1 paddle. A bitch of a paddle but indestructible.

cheers

nam

[Mike W.]

I'm no rodeo star. My best tricks are 180's, shove-its (at least that's what the 'yaker kid called it), & a stern squirt into a bow stall. That said, I love my Mitchell Premier curved blade. I have the wood shaft / carbon blade. I don't see ever going back to a flat blade again. A buddy ordered the exact same paddle as mine except he got the flat blade. We swapped one day & his did not have the bite that mine did.

I ordered mine through a dealer & they mixed it up. 1st they sent a carbon shaft / wood blade. I didn't like the feel of the carbon shaft. As I recall it was round & had a texture to it, not smooth like Zaveral's carbon shafts. The Mitchell wood shaft is oval.

[Paolo]

Curved blade is OK. Carbon shaft is too stiff for rodeo in my opinion,
if you have not iron shoulders and elbows, I would prefere wooden shaft.

[nam]

Well, I was going to order a carbon and curved blade but I have decided to give it some more thoughts. I have talked to some people and they said that most rodeo paddlers use the flat blade. It seems true to the fact that back strokes area also important and used more often.

And as one of you gentlemen metioned wood is also has a nicer feel and give. So... let me see....think think think... I'll let you know.

Thanks for you repplies

n

[Guest]

Hi nam,
I competed 4 eurocup, 1 eurochamp, 1 world and 1 preworld and I never seen one competitor with a flat bladed paddle!
All the top freestyle C1 paddlers in the world, from Usa to Japan, from NZ to Europe use curved blades...

[Guest]

Hi nam,
I competed 4 eurocup, 1 eurochamp, 1 world and 1 preworld and I never seen one competitor with a flat bladed paddle!
All the top freestyle C1 paddlers in the world, from Usa to Japan, from NZ to Europe use curved blades...

Sorry I forgot to log in.
Paolo

[nam]

That makes me feel better. I have sent the order for a curved blade carbon Michell paddle. Can't wait to get it.


Appreciate your replies

nam

[ezwater]

I'm certainly not a rodeo paddler, but I use curved slalom blades all the time and find that switching from the power face to the back face is not confusing and very easy to manage.

I'm a little surprised at Paolo's comment about carbon shafts being too stiff, because my Mitchell has a very flexible shaft compared to the wooden shafts I've tried. My Clinch River paddle has a combo Carbon/Kevlar shaft which is stiffer and heavier than the Mitchell, but still flexible.

The only wooden-shaft paddle I have which matches the Mitchell carbon shaft for flexibility is a home-built 5 degree bent shaft where the shaft is made out of solid ash.

[Paolo]

Maybe I wrong abaut that,
I had a Mitchell slalom paddle with carbon shaft a lot of years ago and it was really stiff. Actually I don't know how stiff the new shafts are, cause I have two Mitchell with wooden shaft that I use for RR (they are a little too stiff for me, but really strong).
For rodeo I use a Gala demon that's really flexible.
Normally pure carbon shaft are stiffer than carbon/aramin carbon/glass etc...
In slalom stiff shaft are the best cause are more responsive, but in rodeo they are too hard for the articulations (at least for my old ones...)

[NEOC Slalom Rules]

I've used Dave Mitchell's paddles most of my life and his carbon shafts have gone through evolution as have we all. The first time he offered carbon shafts, they were solid and heavy duty as opposed to a wrapped more flexible layup as they are now. My shoulder still remembers. The RC tear is always there to remind me. I still like the wooden shaft for its flex. I think I need to try a Galasport though but since I live near the Mitchell's, that would be sacrilage. I heartily recommend the current carbon shaft that dave offers.
Pat

[nam]

Wow, i t got the Michell. All carbon. The shaft is not stiff either. Very sleak. I am very . It also arrives right to my door. I sent the cheque last week.

Thanks guys