C-Forum

Hey Everybody,
I got some great advice for bags on my new to me rival. Now I need paddle advice. All I have ever paddled is a straight, flat blade. When I guided for NOC I just used an NOC stick...a short kids one when i got a chance to try canoeing.

I was gonna buy a werner bandit...it has a spoon or curved blade right? Should I start out with something flat and maybe cheaper, or should I go for the bandit or something similar. Basically I just want a paddle that is affordable, prettty bomber, and easy to learn on.

Whatta ya think??

I don't find that the paddle makes that much of a difference...it's more of a feel or aesthetic thing. I prefer wood shaft paddles.

If you're looking to get on the water cheap and fast, I hear lots of good about the Aquabound Edge. I started with a Werner Bandit and love the blade shape, but it was too stiff. I now use a custom wood paddle with the same blade shape as a Bandit.

+1 on the Aquabound Edge.

It runs in the $100 range, is light, strong and has a nice feel. I know a lot of guys that use it as their go to stick.

I too like wood shaft paddles but the cost of getting a good one is higher and I think it's good to get an idea of what you like before making that step if cost is a factor at all. I went through a couple of paddles when first starting just to get the shaft length that I wanted and would be sick to have dropped >$200 on a stick that is not what I really wanted.

AB "Edge" Carbon, a great paddle to get you going.

Hey thanks fellas...i had not looked at that aquabound

if you have a sec...pros and cons of the spoon blade...does it just grab the water better...just looks narrow to me?

Pro: More power. Con: Nothing really.

I would recommend at FG Bandit over a cabon Edge if you can afford the extra $50. I think it's money well spent!

Get a Norse. They're also a sponsor on this website.

Just happen to have 3 Norse paddles in the basement. Expertly cut down and repaired.

But you could get Kaz to sell you a nice Mitchell stick. Since I switched to slalom paddles, I haven't gone back.....

find a kayak paddle with the blade cracked or broken, cut it to length, and stick a t grip on it. can usually be done for about 20 bucks and half an hour of your time, and usually results in a pretty nice paddle. if youre lefty, find a good left blade (right blade broken), vice versa if youre a righty.

Todhunter wrote:I don't find that the paddle makes that much of a difference...it's more of a feel or aesthetic thing.

Really? Try paddling with a rafting stick and tell us what you think.

raft sticks work just fine. a bit heavier, and a bit less catch, so i prefer others, but they work perfectly fine.

TNbound wrote:

Todhunter wrote:I don't find that the paddle makes that much of a difference...it's more of a feel or aesthetic thing.

Really? Try paddling with a rafting stick and tell us what you think.

Maybe you're right...haven't used another paddle in a while. I just couldn't tell the difference between paddles when I started.

Personally, I think the paddle makes a huge difference in how big I smile I have while paddling... its the gas pedal, the brake pedal and steering wheel for your boat. Right now my favorite is the H2O Team C-1 Carbon straight shaft.