C-Forum

I've seen mention of Esquif paddles on this forum now several times, but can't find a picture of one on their site or information on where to buy one. Any clue?

GOT A QUESTION?

Feel free to contact us by email at: info@esquif.com.

http://www.ophionpaddles.com/products.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Love mine. I have the flexi fiberglass bent shaft version. I've beafed up the blade edge a bit and its either that or my H2O Team C1 paddle I use.

I take it you are saying that Esquif paddles are really Ophion paddles.

Ophion Canoe C1 in Fiberglass / Kevlar or Carbon / Kevlar

and

Ophion Nimbus C1 has an ergonomic shaft and comes in the same layups (Fiberglass / Kevlar or Carbon / Kevlar)

So I emailed Esquif about paddles (suggested above,) and got only this in reply...
"We don’t make paddles but we sell paddles. We do not sell direct to customer."

I replied that I would like to know more about dealers in my area.

...must be some big secrete....

I have one with a kevlar shaft and I really like. Really like how it grabs the water and keeps on grabing. Its amazing to watch how it catches the wind when you hold up in the air. The Kevlar shaft has some flex and easy on my shoulders. It has a huge wide tgrip that I absolutely love, best tgrip ever. I have used the paddle for a season and still love it. The corner of the the blade has started wearing and is going down faster than I like but I think that is pretty common with any carbon blade paddle. I have used Werner's, Echo, Saltwood, Core, Harmony and a few others and this one is at the top. On par with the Werner Bandit.

Getting one may be a challenge as I have not seen them in any canoe shop that I have been in. Maybe Esquif can let you know which of their dealers stock the paddle.

I know they are available in straight-shaft and bent-shaft versions. I don't think they are intentionally a secret, but there are limited shops selling canoes, and even less selling the paddles. In the Southeast at the moment, I would say it is a special order. That being said, if you use a 58 inch paddle, I have one that could be demoed in the Virginia/Carolinas.