Don's solid western red cedar paddles are $175 plus shipping. Wood flexes more, is infinitely customizable, and if you're paddling in cold water, the wood paddles are much warmer than carbon.
I have way too many GPs (2 handmade, solid WRC Beale, laminated Beale, two piece Feathercraft, and a beautiful storm paddle made by Don Goss. They all have slightly different dimensions and uses although my favorite is still the solid WRC Beale (84" long, 19 inch loom, 3 3/8 wide blades). I actually carved the Feathercraft GP down quite a bit which was tough to do since it was so beautifully made, but I needed it to be shorter with softer shoulders and without the epoxy finish. I'll probably add a carbon Novorca paddle to the quiver down the line as well since I just can't seem to get enough paddles! In total I have 6 GPs, 1 euro seakayaking blade, 2 euro whitewater blades, and my wing. I think I have a problem. Help! :)
Oh No ! Thats how it started with me and kayaks, then euro paddles…hmmm, i think i see a trend happening - now gp’s - this is scary! once you start - it seems it never ends… is it obsession or refining?
I must have a paddle problem too: 2 wings, 2 euros (one wood, one carbon), 2 carbon GPs (88" and 76" storm), 4 wood GPs (solid WRC from Sing*/Beale*, and two I made - one a solid 88" x 3 1/8" with 21" loom, the other a 72" laminated WRC storm), and Aleut I also made that’s 90 1/2" x 3" with 24" loom (different grip).
Size Kim is about 5’ 2" and has two GPs. One Sing made that’s about 80" x 2 5/8" with 15" loom - the other is Beale #136 which is 82" x 3 1/8" with 17" loom.
Her Beale’s size would be a decent first GP size for similar sized folks. More than enough power and great for rolling. Fits her well, but top end of what she needs for blade size. I could use it too (I’m 5’9") and almost had Don make me one with same size blades and 3" more loom (My self made 88" WRC has blades that are pretty close - just less volume and a 4" longer loom).
Her other GP is pretty amazing. Seems small, but moves her kayak quite well. Would be great for long paddles at group pace. Not quite enough paddle for me but will move me, and I’ve used it rolling a few times (keeps me more honest than my cheater Superior carbon). It showed me there is a lot of potential to narrower blades matched to user and use. I suspect many are swinging more paddle than they need.
After a while with one around this size you’ll get a feel for it and can then try narrower, etc.
I like my Superior carbon a lot - but downside for smaller paddlers is the one size blades. They are a bit powerful (standard 3.5" a bit wide for smaller folks IMO). Sizing varies only by loom length - works for some (fine for me) - not for others. Loom (1.25x1.5) and blade roots are also on the fat side for small hands. I’m 5’9" but have small hands and when I carve my own I go about 1/8" smaller in both directions.
Getting pretty picky here - something that tends to happen as you try more paddles and get them matching your power/size better.
Try some narrower blades too Can be pretty amazing.
3.5 seems to be sort of a default now - and pretty good for first GPs for average sized folks.
Bigger than that changes the mechanics unless you’re very big and powerful (same can apply to 3.5 for smaller folks).
Narrower blades can offer some real fine tuning as experience with GP grows (and slightly narrower may make sense for smaller GP beginners too - lest they miss out on the magic by having relatively wider blades).
I've seen round, square and oval and have tried all three. I prefer oval. Having said that, during most paddling, it doesn't matter too much because your index finger and thumb grips around the loom and the rest of your fingers around the shoulder of the blade. This is the indexing that folks refer to in knowing what your blade orientation is. On the rare occaisons I slide down the loom, e.g. sliding stroke or extended paddle roll/scull, I prefer the feel of the oval which also helps with indexing.
Width of the blade -- I generally prefer 3-3.25". It's easier to grip for my small hands, especially in the winter with gloves. But, more important, it gives the right amount of grab in the water and the cadence I prefer when paddling. I have a 3.5"x82" GP that I used to use for surfing with my long boat. But, the bigger size slows my cadence perceptibly. It's okay but not my preference for general paddling.
I wouldn't go with carbon on a first blade. Not modifiable. Rather, get a wood GP, play with it and sand/modify to suit your taste. When you REALLY have a sense of what you like, maybe you want to order a carbon GP. Think of this, the cost of a carbon is that of two wooden GPs...
