Good whitewater paddle?

[esprit]

I would echo the opinions on Echo paddles.

I have been very hard on paddles in the past and my Echo paddles have been both durable and a pleasure to paddle with.

They are made in a small "off the grid" shop and carefully custom crafted.

They are more costly than some other paddles... but definately worth every penny... ask Santa for one next year!

jim

[Yukon]

If you go for an Echo which are great paddles and Andy will refubish them, I recomend gettting a synthetic tip over an aluminum tip. I went through 3 tips on mine before a synthetic one which has lasted 2 seasons so far. He will custom make to what u want.

[NedPoff]

I'll vouch for that H2 O paddle. The blade has great initial catch ( it is really good for shallow water in that respect) and is pretty tough. My son has worn out 2 blades -- he does a LOT of creeking with it --, but they are easy to replace -- you can buy blades from H2O for around $50 and epoxy them on, yourself. Just cut the old worn-out one off. You can'd do that with most other paddles mentioned in this thread. It feathers surprisingly well through the water -- better than the Werner that I had before. I like the bend shaft, but I go back and forth between that and another straight shafted paddle. I also have a Galasport, which I like very well, too. It feathers through the water and finds the surface easier that either the Werner or the H2O. I use the H2O for shallower water and the Galasport for deeper/ more aerated water. It feathers so well that what used to be a roll with my Werner is a brace with the Galasport -- I can get it tothe surface SO fast... I love them both and would recommend either over the Werner Bandit, which is what I started out with.

[pmp]

well, you've probably watched the video already but until i get the new one up, check this if you haven't seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMr2eiIRtqg
I'm really lovin' the werner bandit. All three Scriver's use werner bandit and none of them have broken one yet, which is pretty amazing.
paul

[2opnboat1]

I vote For Class V Been swinging one for a few months and very happy

[Mike Gardner]

Two other paddle makers to consider are Fox Worx good medium price wood paddle and Cricket Designs highr priced wood blades with a standard or a light weight offering