Well you were mistaken. Werner does reinforce the edge. Know your paddles.
Just adding to the Feature knowledge base.
Here’s the Aquabound video that gets a bit into the weeds on their new LamLok edge reinforcement. 12 minutes
See you on the water,
Marshall Seddon
The River Connection, Inc.
9 W. Market St.
Hyde Park, NY. 12538
845-229-0595 main
845-242-4731 mobile
Main: [www.the-river-connection.com]
Store: [www.the-river-connection.us]
Email: marshall@the-river-connection.com
Socials: linktr.ee/rivercxn
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You think it is legit?
What’s more important is that AquaBound does stand by their product. The edges of my Werner paddles are still sound after years of use.
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See the video as to legit-ness. If you don’t wish to believe their findings then getting your own paddle and whomping it onto a machete blade edge is one (expensive) way to prove it to yourself. As to do you need the feature, that’s entirely your call. The Dynel Werner uses works but I’ll still refrain from using my Cyprus to flatten bar stock.
See you on the water,
Marshall Seddon
The River Connection, Inc.
9 W. Market St.
Hyde Park, NY. 12538
845-229-0595 main
845-242-4731 mobile
Main: [www.the-river-connection.com]
Store: [www.the-river-connection.us]
Email: marshall@the-river-connection.com
Socials: linktr.ee/rivercxn
2 Likes
I have cracked two Werner as well as two Onno carbon fiber blades. But, i am predominantly a surfer, rock player and white water paddler. My heavy duty carbon prototype Big Spoons (no longer operating) paddle is the only one I have that has chipped and dinged but not cracked.
When I need a future carbon paddle replacement, will likely pick/pay for one with dynel edging.
FWIW.
-sing
So true, I own 2 Werners with the Dynal edge protection and I always am careful to minimize the abuse to its edges just in case. If I paddled in areas more likely to cause edge damage, I would try to get a paddle that had stronger edge protection. If the Aquabound has this feature, I would consider its purchase.
Haven’t cracked a paddle (I stay out of the rocks), but broke or lost (surf grabbed it from my hands) several in surf (mostly, back in the learning surf days).
I did have an aged Werner Camano have the blade ‘slip’ off in surf (no break, it just came off). This was in the '90s, I’m sure their process is much different/better now. (btw, the Aqua Bound Tetra has the blade molded to the shaft, this wouldn’t happen)
Even well intended marketing and sincere engineering has to be tested in end use through experience .
Bring back BIG SPOONS…
Aqua paddles were always a good value, and the go-to paddle for most kayakers that I know. It’s nice to see them offer the foam core line.
The Werner’s smooth back featured on their premium foam core line s not as critical for high angle paddling, because it enters the water more tip first. However, the proper low angle stroke benefits considerably from the sleak design, as the blade has more of a slicing entry. While the “shovel back” connection may actually help stabilize the flow of water as the high angle blade stabs into the water, the turbulence caused by the undulating surface of the back can only hinder the streamlined flow of water as it flows over the back.
I have no doubt it will be a noticable improvement to the discriminating paddler, provided that the inflated price doesn’t impede sales.
@Marshall, that was a great video find.
My AB with FG blades and carbon shaft has has held up well with “abuse” I submit it to. I also like the adjustable shaftlock. What I don’t like is the minimal indexing on the shaft. In winter surf, with mitts on, I was second guessing my blade angle in combat rolling. NOT a good thing when the cold water is giving instant “ice cream headache” and feels like a freezer shutting its door on you. I “fixed” by using electrical tape and a piece of zip tie to build up indexing where I hold the paddle. The lack of indexIng is what is keeping me from buying the new carbon AB With the dynel edging.
-sing
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Explain “Indexing”.
That’s why you test, rather than take the word of someone. Everyone doesn’t need or want a $500 paddle. As Marshall pointed out, a stronger edge may not be on every paddler’s list of priorities, but consider if you had the choice of a strengthened edge and a standard edge.
How do you think the manufacturer would respond to a compaint of a chipped edge on a standard paddle blade, if they offer a model that was reinforced and warranted to resist edge damage.
You don’t need the best paddle or the most expensive model. Just the onevthat feels good in your hand and when you swing it. What I like about Aqua Bound is the availability of the same model in at least 3 versions (fiberglass/plastic blade, hybrid carbon/fibergass blade, and all carbon). Then the touring paddles are availabe in the Sting Ray model with 92 sq in blades and the Eagle Ray with 98 sq in blades. Now they have the foam core Tetra. If you favor brand loyalty, you have options.
A paddle is a paddle, so use one until you find a fault or something you would like to correct. First figure out what you don’t like. If you can’t play the violin, you don’t need a million dolkar period violin and a $300,000 bow.
Here’s how I justify a strong, light paddle with clean blade faces:
If you don’t enjoy swinging the paddle, fix it. If you swing a paddle like a farmer killing snakes with a hoe, buy somthing cheap.
I am going to wait until Ellon Musk comes out with a paddle.
I have some experience with both so thought I’d chip in.
It’s sometimes good to specify “Lendal NA” rather than just “Lendal” in discussions like this, since it is a different company now since it branched off a while ago.
You’ll notice that the curve of the blades is similar between the current popular Celtic paddles and the Lendal Storm; otherwise they have nothing to do with each other.
At this level, everything is good and it’s just a matter of taste. I have several paddles of different sizes, my excuse being that I take different friends out. Here are two that are relevant to you:
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Lendal Cadence 205cm–210cm: really well made, lots of interesting design features. The indexed shaft is interesting; some people don’t like it. If you use a feather angle and do the thing where the shaft rotates through your left hand while you keep your right wrist straight, the indexing may be more likely to annoy you. You may love it, too, especially if you use a 0-degree feather angle. The paddle is crazy stupid light—my 205–210 is 678 grams. I do wish it were adjustable in length more than 5cm and had meaningful angle markers, although the angle adjustment is infinite, which I really like (more on that below). It’s a really, really brilliant piece of engineering overall. It’s a little small—feels like it lacks some “oomph” sometimes—but is great for long days and early in the season when I’m more out of shape and of course for smaller people. It’s quite sad they’re currently out of production and I’m rooting for them to get back up and running soon. (Edited to add: the “no drip rings” thing is very cool too.)
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Celtic Omega Light 600 200cm–210cm: also has some great features. Having the shaft indexed on the right side and round on the left side is really, really nice for doing the aforementioned rotation thing. The Omega Light blade seems easy on the shoulders; I may try a 650 for more “oomph” but the 600 is again nice for easy days. The total weight of the Omega 600 blades with the 200cm–210cm shaft is 795 grams; light enough to not really notice, even though not as crazy-light as the Lendal Cadence. I like the extra extendability and really love the detailed angle markers; the angle adjustment is infinite here too. I often feel best around 25˚, or just a little under the usual 30˚, so I’ve come to enjoy paddles that don’t restrict you to preset angles. It’s not a huge deal but it’s nice. It’s cool that you can swap out blades and different shafts too. I do think it would be a good choice for you given your criteria. You may like the narrow shaft version.
As for other stuff: the new Aquabound stuff looks great and goes down to 200cm. I think I saw you mention Brača-Sport in another post—those are brilliant and can be any length you want, but the Hurricane blades are a little bigger so I think you’d be better off with another brand closer to 600cm in blade area as a smaller person.
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Paddles feartures definitely matter. For example, I have no interest in feathering, yet Craig_S understands the purpose and uses it to great advantage. The overall paddle weight is roughly equivalent to the Werner models; however, swing weight can’t be predicted based on overall weight - it has to be felt.
Adjustable length can be an attractive feature, especially if you’re still experimenting with length or if you do different types of paddling environments.
I paddle all low angle and found 220 cm and 230 far to short for my paddling style. Most of my paddling was using the 240 Kalliste. Although advertised as 23.5 ounces, my 250 cm actually weighs 27 oz. Testing between the 240 and 250 cm shows no real performance difference, but the extra 10 cm lemgth (3.9") lets me open my grip to ease breathing. Since my arms are locked in a paddlers box, the wider grip doesn’t really alter my cadence or change leverage.
Your description of the paddle features was informative to me and answered some questions that I had. The bottom line is that price isn’t a limiting factor, if you get what you want. Aqua Bound and Werner are very good paddles. What makes them more favorable to me is the value of the Aqua Bound series, the quality of the Werner, the warranty service (if you buy from a reputable shop, Like Annapolis Canoe and Kayak, they handled returning my paddle to Werner at no charge, when I couldn’t pull it apart. In the interim, I bought a 250 cm Kalliste and hsve used it ever since), and the local availability.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Now that I’ve been diagnosed with pretty gnarly shoulder issue, going light might be in my best long-term paddling interest, even if, like you, from time to time I do miss the “oomph”!
You’re welcome.
While low total weight in itself is nice, I do think it may be a bit overrated. It doesn’t always tell the full picture of how comfortable or easy-on-the-shoulders a paddle will be. Paddles over 800 grams can still be a better choice in some cases.
Where in the world are you located? That could make some options easier to acquire.