Sea Kayak Paddle Review
- Weight: 27.7 oz
- Length: 215-230 cm
- Blade: 21x5.75"
- Material: fiberglass
- Price: $250
- Tel: (866) 755-3405
- www.bendingbranches.com
Breeze
Bending Branches
This paddle has a telescoping carbon two-piece shaft with standard oval grips. No tools are required, and there are no bulky protrusions; you set it to the length you want, choose a feather from 0 to 90 degrees right or left, and turn to lock it in place. It takes a little practice to get the feather you want, but we had no other problems adjusting it on the water. It has a locking cam inside the ferrule that can be easily removed, either intentionally or not. It’s a low-angle, flexible paddle with medium power and low swing weight.
- Weight: 35.6 oz
- Length: 215-220 cm
- Blade: 19.75x7.25"
- Material: Fiberglass composite
- Price: $355
- Tel: (608) 442-5518
- www.lendal.com
Kinetik S
Lendal
This paddle has fiberglass composite blades and a four-piece Vari-lok fiberglass touring crank shaft that adjusts from 215 to 220 cm, with right or left feather marked at 0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees. It has a nice degree of flex, allowing you to use the power without paying a price, and a great grip. As a four-piece paddle, it packs small. Several blades are available, including a wing. The four buttons lock securely with a 3-mm hex key. Do not lose it. This is a great, well-thought-out paddle.
- Weight: 28.9 oz
- Length: 230 cm
- Blade: 20x6.25"
- Material: Carbon-reinforced nylon
- Price: $199
- Tel: (604) 882-2052
- www.aquabound.com
Sting Ray
Aqua-bound
Their new TLC, tool-free locking ferrule gives you 0-, 30-, 45-, or 60-degree right or left control, standard oval grip. After being jammed in sand and dirt, the paddle went together, an unlikely feat for closer-tolerance ferrules. This is an incredible value in a lightweight, medium-power paddle with a bit of flex. The tough carbon-reinforced blades, along with the carbon shaft, make for a strong, well-balanced, low-angle paddle that many kayakers will love.
- Weight: 25.4 oz
- Length: 215-225 cm
- Blade: 19.7x6.3"
- Material: Carbon/foam
- Price: $379
- Tel: (866) GET-EPIC
- www.epicpaddles.com
Relaxed Tour 2-piece
Epic
The Signature Series Hybrid two-piece shaft has a Length-Lock that adjusts from 215 to 225 cm. The feather angle is adjustable from 0 to 90 degrees by 15-degree increments. The standard-oval shaft and foam-core blades are a blend of fiberglass and carbon. This is a light, well-balanced, stiff, above-medium-powered paddle that beginners to experts found responsive and smooth. The locking mechanism tended to jam as we were adjusting it on the water, and required an included plastic tool to loosen it up. With practice, we could prevent this.
- Weight: 26.5 oz
- Length: 220 cm
- Blade: 21x7"
- Material: Carbon/foam
- Price: $399
- Tel: (877) 766-4757
- www.atpaddles.com
Xception SL
AT
This paddle is full carbon with ergonomic-bent shaft, carbon foam-core blades, and a one-hole 45-degree ferrule with no adjustments. The shaft and blade are made together for a very uniform stiffness, with good power and an excellent grip. It feathers well on linked strokes. A nice-paddling dihedral blade, it exhibited little flutter. The foam-core blade gives that floaty, surfacing feel while bracing. Paddlers love light paddles, and the light weight and balance of this paddle were attention getters.
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