Is there a (non-GP, high angle touring) paddle for me (a short, small paddler) in 2025?

Advice
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#1

Hello! I apologise for the 109343984th paddle recommendation question, but I feel like in 2025 with the disappearance/hiatus of many trustworthy brands/paddle models, the question of finding the right paddle has become even more difficult to answer, especially when I’m of a stature and size that’s outside the usual market consumer (I’m short (152cm, or 5’) with literal children hands). I’m a high angler paddler and enjoy a ‘reactive’ paddle that responds to my or the water’s playfulness, while also letting me maintain a constant cadence during long stretches.

I have the following requirements:

  • Small diameter oval and/or indexed shaft. Most kayak shafts I’ve tried are too big for my hands resulting in bad form or early fatigue.
  • Adjustable feathering and length, at least 5cm adjustable. I don’t have my own kayaks and owning one is out of the question due to living in a small dense country where almost everyone lives in shoebox apartments. I therefore have to rent kayaks and don’t have a say in the model and therefore the width of the kayak I’m using, and will have to adjust the length of the shaft accordingly.
  • Durability is important to me. While I do try to take care of my gear, I cannot baby it as I want to be able to take it to as many conditions as possible, and I would eventually be coaching and/or guiding with it.
  • Weight–looking for something below 700g if possible, or just hovering above 700g.

I have been looking for Lendal’s Cadence and/or Storm paddle as it seems to hit all of my requirements, and I hear that it’s incredibly comfortable for people with smaller hands. However, it seems from online research and my own experience that Lendal has not been answering their emails or calls for at least a year now, and most of their dealers are running out of stocks, and finding second-hand Lendal paddles in my size is like finding needle in haystack (not to mention most Lendal owners are located halfway if not outright across the world from me).

Werner’s smaller diameter Shuna or Cyprus seems to be the next best option, but the carbon Shuna and Cyprus are not adjustable, have questionable durability from what I read online. Adjustable glass Shuna might be my best bet right now, but it’s heavy (above 800g), and durability is still not reassuring.

I would be grateful if anyone has experience with other paddles that may fit my requirements! I’m otherwise leaning towards a slalom Braca paddle because even though it might not be made for touring and doesn’t have an oval/indexed shaft, it’s light enough and there is no question about its durability, but I would love to discover more paddles that might be better suited for my needs. Thank you so much in advance!

Experience with Lendal paddles vs Celtic paddles?
#2

Try the SeglaGear Ashika 700g. 10cm adjustable. Rugged build.

Here’s my video review from this Fall.

https://vimeo.com/1034572444?share=copy

In stock at;

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
Social: linker.ee/rivercxn

#3

Sorry to butt in, but does anyone know how to get a reply from an admin? I have been trying to get help for months. No replies to emails, no phone calls returned. Alternatively, does anyone know of a good paddling forum/classified site?

#4

Thank you so much for this–will look into it!

#5

Okay, we now know what the best is and what it costs, how about a “ best bang for the buck” alternative to broaden the scope.

mjac

#6

Let us know the exact Lendal Cadence or Storm paddle you want?

#8

There are indeed products that are the best value for the money that are not the ultimate best like a Selga $550 paddle.

#9

I agree with @Jyak because “best” is specific to what the user wants.

In other words, you can define “best” for yourself and therefore come up with a “best bang for the buck” for you. But someone else will define “best” in a different way and therefore will come up with a different “best bang for the buck”.

1 Like
#10

To illustrate how wrong this statement, you take the SAME person, not even introducing another individual and for that same person there is an ultimate best and granted it is the best and possibly the best for that person, but there are other products that might not be quite as good or as good a fit but offer a better value for the money without compromising too much quality. You lose some quality and fit but not enough to justify 1 1/2 - 2 times the price. It is a good value for the money, that is where the art comes in.

#12

There are so many examples it is ridiculous. Snap On is considered the best tools you can buy. It would cost you $50,000 to equip an even modest shop. You can get some really descent, good tools for a fraction of that with a little research.

#14

As was stated very clearly, it is up to each individual within their own individual parameters to answer ALL of these questions for themselves. But within these individual questions there lie a best of the best and what would be a better value for the money within your own personal parameters with no outside influence. The question to @Marshal was, within his personal parameters what does he consider an alternative to the best of the best, the Segla, that would be a good value for the money for someone who doesn’t want to spend $550. Using his expeience within HIS personal parameters, not asking someone to decide for you within yourself.

#16

Track has nothing to do with it…

Edit: Debate tricks don’t work on me, skippy, try again.

#17

Ok. I misunderstood.

#19

A friend is a hard core paddler who has goals in hundreds of miles. He tracks his equipment costs per mile.

1 Like
#20

@string, in many ways, a paddle is a paddle. You only really feel the difference as you put on miles, swing a high cadence, need the power for catching waves, fight contrary conditions or go for higher speeds. I’ve been out with guys in $3,500 to $5,000 boats and $150 paddles, as well as with paddlers who paid more for the paddle than the boat.

Guys like Craig look to get maximum performance to within centermeters and square inch. Then Steve is as happy as a tick on a dog with whatever he picks up. High price is as decadent as putting wet walnuts and maple syrup with brown sugar on an ice cream sunday; he’ll also chop a paddle out of a 2x 4 and exact virtually the same performance out of that.

I liked my first all fiberglass Carlisle paddle. It’s one of three 220 cm paddles that I own, so it typically goes out with a guest paddler and is the favorite paddle of my youngest grand daughter. I bought her specific paddles like the Werner Little Dipper with 85 sq in blades and an equivalent Aqua Bound version in all carbon. I paddled it, but it’s too short and not enough blade.

I bought three Camano paddles. One for me, then two more, with one for my sister and another for a friend. The Camanos replaced Aqua Bound carbon or hybrid Mantra and Sting Ray paddles (I bought them as well). The Camanos were then $250 on sale for $199. The first three Kallistes only cost $450, but the last two were $470.

The price of a paddle doesn’t matter if you like it. If you don’t like it, all you think about is how much you don’t like it with every swing. Multiple times per minute, 900 times per mile, thousand of swings per hour, tens of thousands per trip.

If that doesn’t bother soneone, then they should buy cheapest paddle he or she can find. At first, I couldn’t tell the difference between the Camano and the Kalliste. After a few seasons, I swapped between the Camano and Kalliste when paddling with my sister. When the Kalliste wouldnt come apart, Annapolis Canoe and Kayak returned it to Werner for warranty work, and I used my Camano on the next trip. Around that time, I had replaced my sister’s Camano with a Kalliste, so we swapped mid way during the trip.

The next day, I drove the 50 minute trip to Annapolic and ordered a 250 cm Kalliste (I figured why not step up 10 cm so I could figure out how it compared to the 240 cm Kalliste). I’m still using the 250 cm and ordered a 260 cm.

As I always say, don’t buy a new paddle unless there is a condition you want to improve over the paddle you’re using. I still like the 240 and 250 cm. The only way to know how another paddle compares is to buy one, because nobody in their right mind has a paddle that long. The Camano is an excellent paddle, but I won’t use it anymore. The heart wants what the heart wants. The babies need shoes, but daddy needs a new paddle.

#21

The same guy paddles used boats and Aqua Bound paddles.

2 Likes
#22

Aqua Bound make good entry and mid level paddles. The dihedral which, helps stabilize the blades, is similar to the Camano design. It works fine for High Angle, but the Werner foam core is a cleaner design for low angle. I’m waiting to see reviews on the new Aqua Bound foam core. I’m curious whether it offers advantages or if they’re just playing catch up to premium offerings of other brands.

#23

Didn’t ask “ somebody” to answer the question, asked @Marshal to answer the question to add to his opinion of the Selga in comparison. Value, what you receive for the cost of purchase, includes performance. How the paddle performs. If someone does not want to spend $550 on a paddle, what is the next best option that sacrifices the least in performance, feel, durability, aesthetics but in a better price range. What gives you the best value the best value in this new price range since $550 is out of reach. That is a legitimate question.

#24

My mistake. I promise that mistake won’t be repeated.

#25

SeglaGear $450 about the same as Werner foam core. Built stronger and adjustable though. I do have an Ultimax 210-220cm Demo that I’ll be rehoming as the new K-Pro Carbon Construction is coming available. Must keep the tools current.