GalaSport 3M review

[Mike W.]

What a super light paddle! The light weight sends your stroke rate through the ceiling. Underwater recoveries are at least as smooth & fast as anything else I’ve used. It has a stiff, thin spooned blade with just a hint of a rib on the non-power face & an aluminum insert at the tip. It’s the same width at the tip as my Mitchell Premier, but the GalaSport blade tapers a little as it gets near the top. The shaft has a little rib on the front side to help keep your shaft hand from spinning. The grip is a wood dowel. This will be my next non-wood paddle.

Thanks to Bill for the paddle demo.
https://ssl.perfora.net/www.liquidmojo. ... shopscript

[bearboater]

was the paddle you tested similar to the one on the website?the one on the website claims to be a gala/drakkar paddle. im not sure if this is the paddle that Marko designed, and has gala producing it?(marko outsourcing, unlikely or is it(marko now in this doubly paranthetical statement is your time to reply)) but in my experience, owning a gala albeit not a slalom blade, i havent seen an aluminum tip on one.
im not sure either way.
cheers
-isaac

[Alden]

I recently picked up my 3M again after using something else for a while (actually, it was a television remote). The lightness is always impressive. And it is durable too. Definitely my favorite paddle.

On a separate note: what is going on with everyone using the word "super?"
Alden

[bearboater]

alden did it have the aluminum tip?
cheers,
-isaac

[Bob P]

After seeing Alden's paddle survive Alden, I bought a 3M about a year ago, with carbon/kevlar construction (and aluminum tip). Very nice, and just enough flex to save my old bones from shock. Just a miniscule bit of flutter on on the recovery stroke that might not show up with an all-carbon layup.

It looks like my paddle will last another year, which is pretty good for me.

[bearboater]

hmmm, i see
cheers
-isaac

[Alden]

Issac,
Yes, it does have an alum. tip. I'm very impressed with how well it has held up. I just got out with it again today. Great paddle.
Alden

[bearboater]

thus far in my career i have tried to stray from the aluminum tip paddles in fear of delamination with the carbon, and the aluminum. Maybe not. I have only heard of a few cases of this actually happening.
because i might just need a new lighter paddle to go with the boat...
cheers
-isaac

[Marko]

HI


If the paddel has silver/black finish it is my version and if it is black it is completely normal 3M.

The drakkar version is very slighly different from 3m (wider and shorter) and has river reinforced construction.

Remember original 3m is made for winning slalom races so respect it and do not beat the large steaming pile of dog doo out of that.

marko