I bought 3 in that time frame or maybe a few years later. One for myself, then one for my sister and another for a friend. I like the Camano, but its not equal to the Werner all carbon models.
Took both grandaughters out today. First time this season for the 15 yr old. Third time this season for Emma the 12 yr old. She previously use the 220 cm Carlile (unknown blades 110 to 105 sq in?), but I convinced her to try the Werner Little Dipper 210 cm with 86 sq in blade. NW wind 15 mph with outgoing tide. Her overall moving avg speed was 3.1 mph. The avg speed going out was 3.4 mph. Previous trip avgs was 2.7 mph. She was more consistent and ended up doing 5 loops waiting for her older sister to catch up (the elder is typically very good, but off her game today: claimed she was tired, didn’t eat breakfast, was felling seasick from the high swell, wanted a longer paddle than the 240 cm, so I gave her my 250, but it didn’t help).
As I always suggest, let them use what they want, then let them try another paddle. They won’t know unless they can see a contrast.
The Little Dipper or the Aqua Bound Equivalent are both excellent paddles for kids. She did fine with the 210 cm, but I wish I had bought them in 220 for Emma and 230 for the 15 yr old.
It gives them a sense of responsibility for their own decisions, too. Had granddaughter out in the Skylark twice last week. She’s 10, but taller than most her age. At first she wanted the 220cm Shuna I use for high(ish)-angle in the solo canoe because she likes the red glass blades. It was a bit of a struggle for her to control them, perhaps because of the extra width, so after a little while she switched to the Little Dipper (also 220cm). She immediately found it easier to use - which was good - but even better was the sense of achievement from solving her own problem.
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Great approach.
Aquabound changed their paddle size recommendations in the last few years. I was shopping for a paddle and noticed the shop had old stock with a sticker on the paddle that didn’t match paddle length (now shorter) recommendations of the current aqaubound site.
Another thing I learned today was the WS Tsunami 125 was 12’ 6" in 2017 product guide and changed to 12’ 9" in later years, after the Tsunami 120 was no longer produced.