light/strong paddles, more info

[danab]

I have gone through past posts on paddles and still in a quandry. I have a mitchell premiere, wood shaft, carbon covered blade, very tough, nice characteristics in water, but just too heavy for my repaired shoulder.

Looking for a significantly lighter paddle but still tough like the mitchell but not too stiff. Some of past reviews on Galasport indicate that some models may be both lighter than mitchell, and with composite material shaft that has more flex than typical carbon.

I've tried lightning carbon and plastic shaft paddles, and they are definitely lighter than mitchell I have, seem ok, but not convinced about durabililty.

I know the subject has been covered before, but lite, durable, and with flex--is there anything out there or is this the same as the boat scenario--you have to have 3 or 4 to get what you want?

Thanks

[Timzjatl]

It might be useful to know what kind of boating you do most of. I have a Werner Bandit in the carbon blade/shaft and its very light. However the blade is terrible for durability, so I'd recommend it only if you paddle somewhere where the water is really deep, say a playboating paddle for a deep glassy wave or a hole. Let us know what you come up with, I'm still trying to figure out what my next paddle will be... likely a Galasport or a Mitchell, but I am undecided thus far. A board member makes these www.climaxpaddles.com I think and they look interesting, but I'd love to see one before plunking down my $$. The price is right though.
Tim

[Sir Adam]

Greetings..

Climax Paddles are great, and so far seem to be bomb-proof (that said mine personally hasn't seem much water time yet...we just got another 2' of snow), but are heavier than the Mitchell. I'd go for a Schleigal ( had one that weighed 19oz or so originally-it has A LOT of repairs after 7 years of abuse, but is still lighter than the Mitchell (but, alas, after breaking to tip off I don't really trust it anymore). I'm currently looking at a Savage C1 paddle (http://www.roughstuff.ie/portal/index.htm ), which I have been told not to purchase by AdkSara as she wants to get it for me...when I DO get it, one way or another, I'll post a report here. From what some of our UK members say they are nice paddles, and very light.

[James]

not sure about the weight of the new (new last year) galasport rodeo paddles versus your mitchell. I used a galasport platinum C1 paddle for several weeks last year, creeking and playboating. Definitely more flex in the shaft than a carbon shaft, one paddler noted they could see the shaft flexing as I paddled. This could translate into a paddle easy on the joints.

Durable, some flex, not super light. Great all around paddle in my mind. Not the cleanest through the water, and there are better blade shapes out there, but the durability makes up for it in my mind. check out galasport. Kalin had one for sale used, not sure what happened.