C-Forum

I can't say from personal experience, but I've started working on the Upper Yough and many long time guides swear by Bachlunds and Jimi Stix. Bachlund seems to have a reputation for being very, very slow. Jim has the opposite. My roomate broke his Snyder kayak paddle in half off a 30 foot drop and Jim had it fixed as good as new within a week or two.

Many of the guides have been using the same paddle for years and years with plenty of abuse (low water on the Upper with a few hundred pounds of dead weight in the boat) and just seem to have them repaired occasionally. Maybe a good thought. I'm about ready to find one myself.

Keith told me he has some C sticks worked up but I have yet to see them. I'll try to get a look over the next couple weekends and post info. He is slow but his craftmanship is top notch. Paddles but almost furniture. His motto is "you'll still be stroking when others are broken" and they do last - I have a K stick from years ago that is almost mint and I beat it on creeks in WV. They are also fairly expensive.
As for the inexpensive paddles I was thinking of this tread this monday while I was out with a mohawk on a bony run. And although you can beat them they are not something I'd like to regularly paddle a creek with (unless I had to)! And Joey I know why you break sticks - its because of your "cow-a-bunga" approach to paddling ( Good for you - enjoy! ).
Like I said I'll try to get a look at Kieth's c1 blades here shortly since I'm pretty sure that is the way I'll be going. But then I'm easy on paddles since I'm more of a white water weenie then you and some of the others that have posted here!

CALL Bailey @ ClinchRiver or Peggy @ Mitchell and talk to them about what you need.... either are great folks to work with. Mitchell has repaired lot's of paddles for me and they are good people. Bailey can make you a "bomber" paddle... just be honest about your needs and in your case definately don't buy "off the rack".... you need an Armani.

Your paddle is the most important piece of equiptment right after the boat and your helmet. You WILL always get what you pay in terms of performance and durability. The paddle is your motor and more... why save a few bucks up front, when it will just cost you more in the long run. (IMO)

I think I had been paddling for several years before I realized that my paddle was actually a piece of safety equipment...maybe the most important piece!

It is your first line of defense against drowning...because it is what makes self-rescue a quick, easy, and resonable alternative to a swim.

As soon as I realized how much I needed my paddle to negotiate whitewater with a reasonable margin of safety, I stopped paying it so little attention. It is now one of my most carefully maintained pieces of "paddling" equipment.

Abusing your boat is a matter of personal enjoyment, and how you choose to spend your money. Abusing your paddle is a likely a more serious choice.

Joey,
Check out my post on the boats for sale page and see if this might relieve you of your problem!

Backlund is definately the way to go, I have two. One I have been using for over 15 years! When one needs maintenance I give it back to keith and wait the 8 months for repair. Both paddles are used for squirtin and creekin. They are expensive but worth it