Like fiasco says, once you like a paddle it's hard to go to anything else. I'm not sure about the difference between the teardrop and parallel shape paddle blades, I think it might make a difference to how the blades move through the water and how much "lift" you get from the stroke. From my minimal experience, Touring blades (as opposed to racing blades) often appear to be narrower (someone might need to check the accuracy of that statement!).

I always feel that if you're going to buy a paddle, buy the BEST one you can stretch your finances to. Several reasons - firstly, a couple of hundred dollars difference in paddles will make a huge difference (to your speed and comfort), however the same money buying a boat will make almost no difference. Secondly, you will spend a lot of time lifting and moving that paddle around, and small weight differences in the paddle will make a big difference to your joints over time. Thirdly, people will often buy a new boat, but very seldom buy a new paddle if theirs is still functional, so get the best at the start!

I have to admit that I have the Epic mid-wing, and I don't know whether the fact that it's an older one makes a difference to it's strength, but I love it and it's gone through a lot. However, wing blades will tend to break more over time if you use them in the surf/white water as they're not designed to be used in a bracing stroke, only in forward (racing) strokes.

Hello out there,
I am in the process of buying my first wing paddle, having used a club one for six months or so. I am currently trialling a parallel edge blade as opposed to the more common tear drop shape. Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions about the merits of one type over the other?
Thanks

I'm hoping to be in some extra money soon and I want to spend it on a new fully adjustable paddle (see comments below). I'd like to here from anyone who could recommend me one...Here's my criteria/specs
1. adjustable length (i'm 6ft)
2. adjustable offset
3. strong
4. worth the money
5. absolutely won't slip out of place

Here's some of my specs

3. I paddle a spirit racing ski (fold back rudder) and i'm happy to stick with that for the next couple of years.
4. I'm a novice paddler with dreams of becoming reasonable for my age (41)
6. I don't mind the ocean if it's fairly calm
7. I'm mainly in the river though
8. I'm gonna attempt the avon descent... one day.
9. I like to pretend I'm an awesome paddler when i paddle past school kids in their kayaks.

If anyone knows where I can look/touch/try/buy one locally of your recommended paddle that'd be cool too... is it worth considering buying one on the net??

Epic branded paddles had a bad rap over the weekend. I think 2 broke during the race for some competitors. I was behind one of the Bakers (I think - in a PRS), when his paddle broke. 1 blade just came off....
Mongrel still managed to beat me though!

Hi Rookie!

Yep, I live around the corner from you in Warnbro. However, I am off for a four week whitewater trip in NZ this weekend (he he he) so unless you catch me before then you'll have to sweet talk the guys at the Yak Shack or Kayaks-4-U. They have a few epic paddles, but it is possible that they are not getting any more, as the price has jumped ridiculously (almost prohibitively) since I bought mine. My understanding is that one of the paddle shops in Perth might have some.

Give me a yell (0415 823 125) before I go and you can try the epic (please ring in the afternoon/evening as I have a few night call outs this week and might be sleeping in the morning).

There are a few other good paddles around - my other advice would be to catch up with the flat water/surf club boys in Mandurah on a Saturday Morning (at the new Dome around the corner on the beach front) and see what they have to say (not this weekend, they're all going to Bunbury). And/or ask around at any races you attend to see what people say. The great thing about paddles is that everyone has an opinion! (Deep_H20 swears by his Lettman paddle from South Africa, and I have a great Brasca polo paddle).

(As far as the marital issues - maybe take your wife paddling! Doesn't help the shuttle bunny issue, but does help with the concept of a new paddle/boat/PFD etc. My boyfriend and I have 13 boats between us - as well as the rest of the gear).

Hi Pete, my name is princess and I'm a paddleholic too...

I had a few problems sorting out paddles when I first went to long boats. This wasn't helped by the fact that I already had 2 polo paddles with a 90 degree offset and was using a borrowed whitewater paddle with a 30 degree offset. A paddler that I respect very much showed me his epic paddle, and I gave one a try. I absolutely love my epic paddle (so much that I bough a second, backup one). They were NOT cheap, as I got a very light version which has 10cm of length adjustment and the blade offset can be adjusted as well. I think a great paddle is the best investment I ever made for paddling, for several reasons:
1) You don't pick up as many bad habits when using good equipment
2) The wear and tear on the body (especially the shoulders and wrists) is minimised when you are using a light blade than can be adjsuted to your style and the type of paddling you are doing (as ski girl mentioned).
If I was starting paddling again, I would spend my money on a great paddle and a good boat as opposed to the other way around. Boats come and go, but paddles are generally used until they fall apart. If you consider how much time you spend waving a paddle around in the air while paddling, you can also see why every gram counts in wear and tear on the joints.
The epic mid-wing (200-210 cm - but I'm 181cm and relatively strong for a woman paddler when I'm in training) worked for me - but everyone has a different perfect paddle. Try lots before you buy!

hmmm I think I must have bought my soapbox again... sorry!

Hi Ski Girl,

Is this the same Craig that was with oyu at teh Avon? do they lend out paddles for trials?

I was taking my new Spirit Racing ski out yesterday from the old riverton bridge to the south of perth yacht club and back. All was going well (really well) til coming back past the canning bridge. All of a sudden I lifted up my paddle and saw the right blade snapped at the neck of the blade! "Son of a... gun", the first (and only) time i didn't bother bringing my mobile phone. I scrambled back to deep water point and 5 hours later got a lift back to my car at riverton. All that fun aside, I was shocked that a blade can just snap like that... given it was a second hand cheapy I guess that was coming for me.

So, I too need a new/another paddle. I have a another fibreglass shaft paddle but the offset angle of the blade isn't right for me... Can I somehow get the blade 'repositioned', or is it not worth it money wise and just buy a new one? I'm a newbie so i don't need a flash one, just a decent one... I'm not that fussy except for the angle being right.

Do those paddles that unscrew into two pieces have the ability to change the offset blade angle?

Ta
Pete

Do you have any thoughts on paddle selection WP? I am looking for a new blade solely for endurance and white water events (Avon, XPD types)and I really don't know where to start.