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BEST PADDLE--HIGH END We had a tie for best high-end paddle between two very different carbon-fiber ultralights. Four-Piece Kinetik Touring from Lendal  The Kinetik blade was developed in 1996 to provide whitewater kayakers with good acceleration and boat control—qualities that Lendal believed would also be appreciated by performance-minded touring kayakers. The Paddlok ferrule system was introduced four years later and made it possible to create a paddle that was quite portable. It gives paddlers the option to use a variety of different shafts, including straight and bent.Our reviewer (April 2003) liked the Kinetik blades: “The entry and exit were very clean, and although the blades seemed a little noisy throughout the power phase of the stroke, I wasn’t able to perceive any degradation of performance. During sculling…braces, the Kinetik felt nimble and provided a great platform for stability.” The Paddlok system looks a bit like a standard button ferrule with the exception of a small hole in the button. The hole is there for an Allen wrench. With it, you can expand the inner male part of the joint, making a solid connection that won’t loosen with time and wear, as standard ferrules will. I’ve used a Kinetik for two years, including in six-foot surf, and it has held up well, without any signs of wear or damage. Last year, the Paddlok system was updated to provide adjustable length and feather, and this year, the blade comes in a smaller version—the Kinetik Touring S. Kinetik Straight Shaft $395; Bent Shaft $425 Lendal Products Ltd. 608-442-5518 usa@lendal.com www.lendal.com The Mid Wing from Epic Kayaks  Greg Barton, Epic’s founder and designer, knows a thing or two about going fast. He picked up two Olympic gold medals paddling sprint kayaks in the 1988 Olympics. Since then, he has shifted to open-water kayak racing where he remains a force to be reckoned with. He made the paddles he used as an Olympic athlete and has continued to refine the design of the wing.Epic’s original Wing was introduced in 1998, followed by the Mid Wing in 1999. The Mid Wing is designed for racing, fitness paddling and high-performance touring. It was modified in 2000 to give the blade a stronger catch and better stability throughout the stroke. At 24.5 ounces dripping wet, the carbon fiber Mid Wing is remarkably light. It has a very clean entry when used with a high-angle “wing style” stroke. After spending a few minutes with the blade, I could get it planted without pushing any air into the water. The grip of the wing in the water is very solid and very stable. It’s quite evident from the extra pull I felt in my shoulders that the blade wasn’t slipping back, softening the stroke. In the low brace position, the Mid Wing was quite well behaved. The high brace position requires a bit of extra attention. To keep the blade’s trailing edge from tripping, I had to keep my knuckles well turned back. For rolling, the wing is even more effective than a cruising paddle. The ferrule is adjustable for 10 cm of length and to any degree of feather. There aren’t many of us that can keep pace with Barton, but if you want to go fast, his Mid Wing will make good use of all the power you can put into it. Epic Mid Wing Paddle $275 Epic Kayaks, Inc. 866-438-3742 info@epickayaks.com www.epickayaks.com |
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