Who would want it and why? The adjustable...

[localpaddler]

Stand Up Paddleboard paddles are very commonly adjustable making them able to adjust to different paddling environments (example: where surfing could have a shorter desired length and racing could have a longer desired length) or for different size paddlers(one at 6 feet and one at 5 feet 4 inches tall.)

Given that the paddle was strong and the adjustable aspect was not a weak link in the design.

1)What would be the performance benefits of having a quality (composite) adjustable canoe paddle...example adjustable from 56-60?

2)Would you want it and why or why not?

-Luke

[CurlyFries]

There is one already being made that I know of. I know some people love it, I personally have never used one so I cant really comment.

Its a pretty awesome idea. I use a longer paddle for tripping and a shorter one for playing. My tripping paddles are always beaters though... So I can use them as walking sticks and stuff.

http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/acc ... &manfID=28

Dave

[localpaddler]

Good feedback. What would you personally want the adjustable range to be?

[CurlyFries]

56-60 would be perfect for me. I am around 5'8. Some taller people would probably like more range.

Dave

[Craig Smerda]

interesting concept Mr. Hopkins

any way it could also be used as breakdown?

(on a completely different subject... have any of the old pictures or video of your X1 shenanigans for folks to see?)

[Larry Horne]

Performance benefits: it'd be a good starter paddle.... for people who don't know yet what length paddle they want.

once you have that figured out (and i do), I don't see any benefit in it. So no, I wouldn't want one.

[localpaddler]

Thanks for the feedback. I am sure there is some video or pictures of the X1 shenanigans out there on the internet somewhere. Being a kayaker, a C-1er, canoer, SUPer sometimes it is fun to blend the best of different worlds at times. At the US freestyle nationals in 2004(?) I did the X-1 in the kayak freestyle class and it was the highest scoring rides in all of the competition and it ended up finishing second in the finals. It was the only competition I did it in and if I did poorly everyone would have discounted it as no good...but since I did well it was respected by most and there were a few kayakers who thought that kneeling was and unfair advantage. We know it is an advantage...at times. Just like having two blades is an advantage...at times. I am truly a single blader at heart. I just do it standing up now....whether it is on water....
http://youtu.be/fMyNgH1ddHQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
on concrete...
http://youtu.be/9d2sqbusm-I" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or on snow:
http://youtu.be/dwVmB4FSatc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It would be pretty easy to make a paddle convert from a adjustable canoe paddle to a kayak paddle with the extra blade included as an accessory The real question and feedback I am interested in is the adjustable canoe paddle aspect.

[localpaddler]

Larry...do you primarily just use one boat?or do you have multiple boats or different lengths and speeds. Do you paddle whitewater or flatwater?

[Craig Smerda]

Thanks for the feedback. I am sure there is some video or pictures of the X1 shenanigans out there on the internet somewhere.

Not that I've been able to find... and I'm pretty good at hunting down non-typical pics and video. Not even here... http://localpaddler.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Every now and again the topic comes up and from what I recall seeing many moons ago... you rocked the house doing it.

It would be pretty easy to make a paddle convert from a adjustable canoe paddle to a kayak paddle with the extra blade included as an accessory The real question and feedback I am interested in is the adjustable canoe paddle aspect.

As previously stated... it's an interesting concept. What I would suggest (speaking as a person who prefers wood shafted paddles) is not only making it adjustable but to also make it as a breakdown or take apart paddle. Have you seen the length of boats we're paddling these days? There's not a lot of room for a spare stick. If one could break it down into two pieces and stow it inside of the boat in the event of an emergency it could be pulled out, put together and adjusted to whatever length any particular paddler wanted.

Of course if you patent or make this based on my input... I want royalties... and a t-shirt.

[localpaddler]

Thanks.

Awesome picture. Brings back memories. I agree that the breakdown would be perfect for modern boats. If adjustable from 56-60 that longest part would be about 44 inches. Would that work?

[Larry Horne]

Larry...do you primarily just use one boat?or do you have multiple boats or different lengths and speeds. Do you paddle whitewater or flatwater?

I used to use different paddles for c1 playboating, creeking and slalom. The playboat paddle happened to be shorter, but not by choice. the length didn't matter much to me, but it had a small blade and flexy shaft that I liked The slalom paddle was longer and I didn't really like it. All the extra length did was make me dig it in to rocks and break the tip off of it. Now I just use one paddle for everything now and life is better.

[Craig Smerda]

I think so... but let me verify at lunch to see how much room there is in the stern under an airbag... I'll ask Jeremy for a measurement for his boat(s) as well.

[Walsh]

I agree with folks above that there is a market for high-quality breakdown paddles. I would not buy an adjustable paddle that did not break down for portability.

I have used paddles as short as 56-57", particularly while I was learning to be comfortable on my offside, but I now use 60" paddles almost exclusively - from tandem to C1. I would say that > 95% of whitewater canoeists use paddles within that range. One might want to go slightly shorter for C1 rodeo, and even longer for guiding rafts.

[Craig Smerda]

nope... 40" would really be pushing it.

30" sections would be better if possible... and fit into most C1's as well.

[Paddle Power]

An interesting topic and concept.

The adjustable Sawyer is most likely not a big seller in part b/c Sawyer is not a big player in the canoe paddle business and therefore not that readily available.

I paddle multiple canoes (C1, OC1, & OC2), different lengths and different purposes (ww, solo ww trip, tandem ww, tandem wilderness tripping). I paddle mostly whitewater but also some flatwater.

For paddles, I have a small collection, of different brands and different lengths. I like the fact that I can try out different paddles and sometimes I'll even choose to take a stick based on the paddle and not the length (ie take a paddle that is slightly too long or too short b/c I would some other feature that one of my other paddles offers). I could not imagine only having one adjustable paddle!

I guess an adjustable shaft length would make the paddle very versatile and flexible. That would be inherently superior for a break down paddle b/c it would be adjustable for any or all members of the group.

The other selling feature of an adjustable paddle would be when you lend out your stick for someone to try. It could be easily sized to whatever size the paddle needs.