Do you design your paddle shafts to be stiff or have some flex? Why? How about the blades?

Shaft flex….I put either carbon or fiberglass shafts on all Nimbus Paddles, depending on customers. A fiberglass shaft is more flexible than a carbon and if you have shoulder issues, you might find the fiberglass shaft more forgiving. Carbon shafts are more rigid, but they are a couple of ounces lighter.

--Dave Bain, Nimbus Paddles
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I personally prefer shafts that are somewhat flexible. I think they are easier on the muscles and joints. However, our current infatuation with carbon fiber due to its lower weight requires us to use less flexible shafts due to the inherent rigidity of the material. Flexibility in the blades should be very limited to preserve the design features of the blade.

--Tom Derrer, Eddyline Kayaks
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Shaft flex should be in relationship to the blade size: One would be making some assumptions that smaller blade paddles are used by smaller people. The ideal measurement would be to take a persons weight to strength ratio, paddling style, and conditions and match it to the paddle shaft and blade.

--Dale Kicker, Bending Branches
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We have done quite a bit of experimentation in this area over the years. And some flexibility is required for most paddling disciplines. Stiff blades in recreational paddling are not necessary since the load on the paddle during the stroke is not high. However, any discipline which requires fast acceleration would certainly benefit from stiffness.

--Alistair Wilson, Lendal Paddles
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We vary the shaft stiffness depending on the intended use. While not scientifically proven, it is generally believed that a shaft with some flex is easier on the joints and tendons. Thus we use a medium flex shaft in our touring and distance paddles. Flexing of the shaft is a loss of power, so racers (especially sprint racers) often prefer a stiffer shaft. Blades generally mimic the stiffness of the shaft, but blades also need to be strong enough to resist breakage.

--Greg Barton, Epic Kayaks
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We design our blades and shaft to be on the stiff side. Blades and shafts that flex lose power and are generally weak and more prone to break. Stiffer can be harder on the joints, but we offset this with great design features to smoothly stroke through the water and offer shaft choices that allow a paddler to use a light grip.

--Andy Bridge, Werner Paddles
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Shaft stiffness or flex is a personal preference. We design paddles that would fall into both categories. Stiffer shafts provide better power transfer because the energy is put directly into forward propulsion and not into flexing the shaft. A drawback to stiffness is shock transfer back to the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. This can be countered by choosing a paddle with more flex built into the system.

--Peter Mitchell, Mitchell Paddles
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Adjustable and telescoping ferrules have become very popular in the last couple years. What advantages and disadvantages do they have in comparison to fixed position snap-button ferrules?

Adjustable shafts……the only advantage I can see is that you can get away with one paddle for many boats. They would be good for rental shops so they would not have to stock a lot of different sizes. If you are doing any amount of paddling you should always have TWO paddles in your boat. They could be different lengths. Every experienced paddler I have met knows the length of paddle they want to use and what feather. These do not change. It baffles me why someone would pay $400 for an ultra light carbon paddle and then add unnecessary weight!!

--Dave Bain, Nimbus Paddles
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Adjustable ferrules give a paddler many more options and make a particular paddle design useable by people with varying paddling preferences. This is a good thing so long as the adjustment system is well designed and easy to use. Telescoping ferrules on the other hand can have strength issues and add additional weight. I feel they should be avoided if possible.

--Tom Derrer, Eddyline Kayaks
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What a wonderful addition to paddle design: this seemingly simple addition to your paddle can be a life saver when used in varying weather, moving water, wave, and tide conditions. How it works: you can adjust the length for the condition you are in, shorter in big waves, towing, and windy conditions, the same for blade feather. This will help reduce paddler fatigue and change up your paddling style as needed.

A kayak paddle that locks into any degree of feather you want, permits a good degree of variation in length, and eliminates the 'wobble' that develops with many take-apart paddles. Simplicity of no screw threads, no holes in the shaft, and no protruding buttons or rings; there's a true kayak paddle innovation!

--Dale Kicker, Bending Branches
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The main advantages are that most paddlers can, with one paddle, experiment with different lengths and angles in headwind, downwind and crosswind situations, to most accurately find optimum settings. They can also experiment with cadence, a very important factor in the ‘feel good’ aspect of paddling.

--Alistair Wilson, Lendal Paddles
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Adjustable ferrules allow the paddler to custom fit both the length and feather angle to their ideal stroke and kayak. They can be varied to suit the kayak (jumping from a narrow single to a wide double, etc.), the conditions of the day (weather and fatigue) and allow people to more easily share paddles. There is an added benefit to retailers as a few paddles can be adapted to fit almost any customer, rather than requiring an extensive inventory of custom lengths and feather angles. The adjustable systems do add a small amount of weight, but this is in the center of the shaft and not nearly as noticeable as blade (swing) weight.

--Greg Barton, Epic Kayaks
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The benefits of an adjustable feather is awesome. It allows each kayaker to determine what feather angle works best for them. Once they determine what works best we don’t promote changing it around much. The biggest disadvantage is most are heavy and are clumsy to adjust. They can come loose while paddling as well. Not our design of course. Our design has a precise fit, is lightweight, easy to use…we deserve to brag a teeny bit.

As for telescoping or adjustable length, we think the disadvantages far out weigh the benefits. The benefit is kayakers can change lengths according to their preference and to boats they are in. The disadvantage is the wrong paddle length can be chosen for the blade style they purchased. The blade no longer works to their advantage or performs properly and can quickly fatigue and even cause injury to the paddler. It also adds considerable weight.

--Andy Bridge, Werner Paddles
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The greatest advantage is to allow the paddle to be adapted for different people, paddling styles and situations. The biggest disadvantage is the inconsistency in length and angle that can make a paddle feel unfamiliar.

--Peter Mitchell, Mitchell Paddles
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