I am looking at purchasing a new Werner paddle for next season and was initially focused on getting the Kalliste (low angle) carbon paddle but lately I have been hearing from people more and more things like "I got rid of/am getting rid of my low angle paddle in favor of a high angle blade".

So now I am also considering the Cyprus (high angle) carbon paddle but would like to hear from some of you as to what the specific advantages/disadvantages to either option and some of your experiences with both.

Also, is there any real reason I should spend the extra $75 to get a bent shaft as opposed to straight? FYI I am relatively young and have no joint issues.

THANKS!


MP

Good questions bauer095,

I am also looking at going up to an all carbon paddle but for sea kayak touring.

The paddle I have now cavitates when I power up for a bit of a sprint or faster pace.

I was thinking of a high angle paddle as this is supposed to be the choice for power and speed the low angle more for crusing?

The question of straight or bent. I'll wait and see if there are some out there who have tried both and get their opinion.

The blurb I've read from the paddle makers seems to be that the bent are the way to go to ease stress and strain on wrists and shoulders if this is true then I'll probably go that way I'm 51 years young and need some help in this area. I don't know if there is a direct performance increase in using a bent.

Cheers

Bill

Well Bauer095,

It looks like no one else on this forum has an opinion so I looked around at some others and here's my contribution for what it's worth.

Straight or bent? This seems to be a personal choice but I get the feeling that if your not having any issues with sore wrists or joint pain stick with a straight there doesn't seem to be any real advantage to a bent and maybe some negatives to do with the relationship between hand grip and paddle blade being in front or behind your hand. This may require some stroke correction to compensate, it also seems to limit where you can place your hands and not allow you to shift position on the shaft.

High or low angle is more to do with your own style. Opinion seems to be if your on a long tour you tend to adopt an "easier" more relaxed style of a low paddle angle which reduces strain over an extended period of paddling. In my own case I usually maintain a high angle and if I do get get tired I don't see much disadvantage of a having a high angle paddle at a low angle. In the reverse a low angle paddle won't develope as much power for shorter rides or in times when you need to be able to punch through wind chop or bad currents.

So for me the answer is a high angle straight full carbon what brand I don't know yet.

I've only been paddling for a year so take that into consideration when you read this.

Cheers

Bill

Bill-

Thanks much for the informative and timely replies, it seems like this board isn't frequented much it would be great if more people knew about its existence!

I believe I've also settled on the straight shaft design, as, like you say, I forsee difficulties with altering hand position on a bent shaft in choppy conditions or for varying strokes.

On a personal note, keep up the posts, its awesome to have this forum for learning and hearing from other paddlers and you seem very well informed and knowledgeable!

For what it's worth, I have been using a Werner Carbon Camano (low-angle) paddle with the bent shaft for two seasons and am very much sold on it. I have found the ability to change my hand position on the shaft not only helps to reduce fatigue and stress points, but actually afford me increased leverage in challenging, choppy conditions. The blade is a mid-range size, and I've had pretty good experience in using it at a higher than normal angle when needed for extra power. The low-angle "norm", coupled with the light swing weight, efficient blade design and the crankshaft keep me smiling mile after (nautical) mile.

Thanks for your replies

alaskagal,

Better late then never I suppose. I just bought a werner coryvrecken straight all carbon.

Cheers

Bill

I began paddling with a crank shaft Lendal a number of years ago because that was what was popular among the folks I was paddling with and because I had had issues with carpal tunnel in my wrists a few years before. I was very afraid of additional wrist issues. That was when I was a beginner and just learning my paddling skills and was probably a good decision at the time. I gripped the shaft way too tightly in the beginning, and the crank provided a bit of protection from that tendency. As my skills developed, I began loosening my grip more and more and the crank began getting in the way as I wanted to move my hands along the loom to gain more leverage when needed, or just to change things up abit. Now I paddle a Werner Ikelos straight shaft and am totally thrilled with the blade. Mostly because of the smooth and easy slicing ability of the blade through the water, no matter where I'm grabbing the loom. Try a number of paddles and see what feels best at the moment. Cheers---------------Kevin Black

At 20oz, my 2004 Relaxed Tour Epic straight shaft has been a treasure. I demoed Epic's LengthLock several times at 75 degrees and ordered a 220cm with 75 degree feather without the LengthLock. I was concerned that the gizmo would not stand the saltwater test of time. My blade 6.75" x 18" is a little shorter and a little wider than today's longer/narrower touring blade. I feel my blade is quicker in takeoff and with the lightest paddle in my group, I have to ease off for the rest to keep up anyway. I also feel I have better bracing capability with the wider blade. 10 to 12 miles 3 days per week in year 4, and this paddle shows no signs of giving up yet. It was expensive, but the longer I have it the more cost effective it becomes.

A friend just bought an Accent all carbon for 259.00 at a paddle show in New Hampshire. At 22oz I would consider that for a replacement, once my Epic gets tired. The Diamond HE Edge would be my blade choice.

My wife has a bent shaft Werner at 26oz which is the right choice for her. Difficult to manufacture a bent shaft as light as a straight shaft.

Debates about high- versus low-angle paddles and straight-shaft versus bent- have been going on for many years. I don't expect them to end soon, because there's no clear right answer. I side-step the whole issue by having two different paddles. One's a low-angle bent-shaft 220-cm Adventure Tchnologies "Expedition." The other's a high-angle straight-shaft 215-cm Werner "Shuna." I find the AT to be less tiring and better for long distances and straight lines, but it's not as much fun. The Werner is better for bracing, rolling, and maneuvering and just plain goin' fast. How do I justify having two paddles? Easy: I never paddle without a spare.

Debates about high- versus low-angle paddles and straight-shaft versus bent- have been going on for many years. I don't expect them to end soon, because there's no clear right answer. I side-step the whole issue by having two different paddles. One's a low-angle bent-shaft 220-cm Adventure Tchnologies "Expedition." The other's a high-angle straight-shaft 215-cm Werner "Shuna." I find the AT to be less tiring and better for long distances and straight lines, but it's not as much fun. The Werner is better for bracing, rolling, and maneuvering and just plain goin' fast. How do I justify having two paddles? Easy: I never paddle without a spare.

One of the great things about a Greenland paddle is it can be used either high or low and works very well for some body that likes changing there hand positions,
.

I just bought the similar carbon/glass, straight/standard Corryvrecken in 215 cm. Am brand new to sea kayaking, but I've recognized, paddling my other kayaks, a tendency toward a high angle stroke no matter what. Probably comes from years of canoeing.

I am excited about getting and trying the new Werner. It should be here Thursday.

Here's my two cents!
I'm a high angle paddler- Pacific Ocean off Southern California (reasonably smooth seas) I use a Werner Shuna (high angle).
I try to keep about 70 strokes a minute, which will seem too high, but it's based on the most efficient bicycle cadences.
I don't know from bent shaft--no experience there. I don't feather.
The most important factor for me (after shoulder surgery) is weight lifting to stabilize, balance my muscle groups and strengthen the muscles I paddle with. (There's a Sea Kayaker article within the last year about shoulder workouts that's been pure gold.) I think shoulder stabilization and strength is more important than paddle choice. My shoulders used to always hurt and I spent a lot of time carving & paddling a Greenland Paddle, it slowed me down and didn't hurt so much, but it didn't solve my problem.
See you wet!

As a long-time all-day kayaker, I've found that it's best for me to have a completely flexible approach to paddling, with the emphasis on husbanding strength and endurance over the course of the day. So, I use a 220-cm. Swift with the narrower blades, and slowly vary my tempo from 40 to 70 spm and my paddle angle from very high to very low throughout the trip, as well as going back and forth from feathered to unfeathered. I keep the lightest possible grip on the shaft, and paddle with the least possible effort to maintain a reasonable cruising speed. As a mostly solo kayaker, I don't have to concern myself with synchronizing my speed with others, and can devote my attention to the marine wonderworld around me. Theoretical efficiency is constantly being discussed in boat design and in paddling but kayaking is always a compromise among many competing factors--the goal for me is to have a very satisfying day on the water, whether it's being done "efficiently" or not.

I very much agree with you, Magic. Most of my paddling is done in variable conditions that might range from paddling with the wind, waves and current to just the opposite and even some smooth flat water. I adjust my cadence and style to what the particular condition and my agenda happens to be at the time.

There was a time when I thought I had to do my version of a vertical, wide grip power stroke, or I wasn't really paddling. After some well deserved pain, I've learned that a wide variety of styles and speeds works better and my body thanks me. Heck, I've even learned that pausing every now and then to just glide is even acceptable.