If Money Were No Object: Touring Kayak Paddles
What's the world's best touring paddle? Okay, it is a stupid question because the best of anything is ultimately a matter of taste, preference and usage. But paddles are an essential piece of kit - it is the medium through which you engage with the water and the one which, if you choose poorly, will have your entire body hating you for days after a proper paddle. That said, I'm going to have a go at drawing together seven wonders of the touring paddle world which, if it wouldn't jeopardise my kayaking life, I'd gladly give my right arm for.
Anderson Oars and Paddles
Sea Kayaking blade, light use
Oregon-based Anderson, refer to their paddles as "highly functional works of art (which) are definitively the finest custom wood paddles available anywhere". Who could argue? I mean, look at them! These are the kinds of paddle which, if you've got the money, you'd place on the wall. Every Sunday evening, you'd polish it. When friends came round, you'd get them to admire it. If they failed to appreciate it, you'd never invite them back. How are they made? Well, the firm says: "Blades are triple banded with extremely durable hardwoods. A solid fiberglass tip is overlaid with fancy veneer or marquetry. The blade is then fiberglassed with s-glass and "Systems Three Epoxy." After the shaft receives its coats of deep penetrating epoxy, the paddle is ready for varnish. For this we use and recommend "McCloskey Man 'o War Gloss Spar Marine Varnish."
Epic
Epic Large Wing Length-Lock (Full Carbon Stiff Shaft)
The Epic Large Wing is is a seriously powerful paddle. It's available in both the Signature Hybrid and Full Carbon construction options and comes standard with Length-Lock™ technology. I've gone for the full carbon because Epic uses an aerospace-grade foam core with carbon fibre epoxy which makes it incredibly lightweight. Epic was set up by twice Olympic gold medallist Greg Barton and 11-times World Molokai Champion Oscar Chalupsky. Their goal in setting up Epic was (apart from entrepreneurial zeal) to combine technological innovation with touring kayaking. They know their stuff.
Aroostook
Distance Trakker
Based in Maine, Aroostook's paddles are hand crafted from a strategic blend of carefully selected materials, giving the paddle the needed strength while keeping it lightweight. Typical woods used in the hand crafted process include basswood, alder, ash, mahogany, walnut and sassafras. Why wood? It flexes, it's buoyant and it's strong. And, of course, it is beautiful. The other thing I love about the Aroostook is that gorgeously curved blade.
VKV
Vitudden
The awesome Vitudden is Swedish paddle maker VKV's finest sea kayaking paddle. The maker says the model is the result of more than 70 years' paddle design experience. The paddle has also evolved through VKV's insistence on taking what its customers say seriously. The end product? A superb paddle with an asymmetrical shaft to ensure maximum stress meets maximum strength, carbon fibre built and coated in a white gel which makes it, well, oddly refreshing and easy to see.
Werner
Athena
The elegance of the Athena is immediately evident. The carbon-made paddle has a near effortless pull which is something any paddler will come to appreciate on a longer expedition and it's incredibly quiet through the water. Aimed at the low-angle, smaller, kayaker, the Athena is a phenomenal piece of kit. As you'd expect, the Athena boasts Werner's performance core and adjustable ferrule system. It comes with a straight or natural bent carbon shaft and two shaft diameters.For those wanting something with a little more oomph, Werner's Kalliste is difficult to rival.
Mitchell
Black Magic
This astounding paddle mixes the wonder of wood with the marvel of composites. It weighs 32oz and makes for an incredibly low swing weight. The shaft is laminated with cedar, ash, and walnut and has comfortable flex whilst maintaining its high strength. The blades have additional curvature which makes them slide into the water with no splash and catch more water, resulting in a rock solid forward stroke. Mitchell itself sums it all up by saying, "It is truly a paddle that must be experienced to be understood".
Lendel
Kinetic Wing
When Lendel unleashed its Kinetic Wing models, the paddling world heralded it as "revolutionary". The wing is designed to produce lift, efficient paddling and excellent manouvring. Its inspiration comes from kayak racing and brings it the world of touring/sea kayaking. The carbon blades are thin and stiff and the carbon/fibreglass shaft features Lendel's own Switchloc system. One of the great things about firms like Lendel and Werner is the degree to which you can take an industry-leading design and customise it to fit your needs. The Kinetic Wing, for example, can be ordered as a one, two or four piece paddle and with a straight or modified crank shaft.
But what's your favourite touring paddle? Why not join us in the forum...
