Jackson kayaks. Maybe new Werner paddles will all be roto molded. 
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Am grateful both companies are respected, domestic manufacturers of high quality products, provide high levels of customer service, care about their people and our waters and air.
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I think carbon fiber would be preferred over roto molded.
I saw the video by Adventure Otaku talking about the topic
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Looks like it may be good news for Aqua Bound at least for some time into the future.
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What other paddle manufacturers are out there in North America? Aqua Bound, based in Wisconsin, is an example of a larger shop. But there may be a number of smaller manufacturers. Iâve owned Werner paddles, but have also owned Nimbus paddles - a smaller shop on BCâs Quadra Island. Nimbus has several quill paddles which my arthritic shoulder really prefers.
Next to the kayak, the paddle is the most important piece of equip (duh).
I hope Werner under Jackson, doesnât change (for the worse).
Iâm kind of âextravagentâ when it comes to kayaks & paddles, I like to paddle a variety.
For paddles, though I tried (and bought an Epic MidWing and a Gearlab Greenland) I never took to the Wing or Greenland paddle.
So, for the rest:
My favorites are the Lendal Storm (for my âshortâ paddles) and a Werner Cyprus (for my âlongâ paddles).
Others that I like to paddle (for a change): Werner: Ikelos, Ovation (if Iâm particulary tired from previous days paddle), Corryvreckan or Player (for surf).
Aquabound: Whisky and Manta Ray.
Celtic: Kinetic 750 (a bit large for me) and the Omega 600 (a mistake - donât like it so much).
(Celtic is UK, Lendal is US)
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Greenland paddles might be your best bet for a high-end paddle in the not to distance future. There are also good wing paddles still to be had.
I do hope Werner and Lendal have a future, but I am not in the market for another paddle. Is this just another sign of the reduced popularity of sea kayaking? I really love my sea kayaks, as they are just so very capable.
I use a Greenland paddle most of the time and my wing when I want more speed. I carry my straight shaft Werner carbon Cyprus (very lightweight) as spare and still use it from time to time. I also own an older British made Lendal carbon crank shaft which is my heaviest euro-paddle, but it can also take a beating as the edge of the blades can attest to. I just donât use it very often anymore.
You definitely chose the wrong size on the Celtic OmegaâŚthe 650 is great. And, like you, love the Corryvreckan in surf.
I will add a low coast outlier for the budget conscious paddler, the Bending Branches Whisper. $74 MSRP A good emergency/extra paddle.
UGH ! my Werner Cyprus has been my go to paddle for years !! Well Jackson Kayak makes some great white water boats. But Carbon Fiber paddles - well a little concerned to say the least.
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I canât say I know very much about paddles, but I have gone through a LOT of cheep metal and plastic paddles when I have bought used kayaks. I have only had opportunity to use 3 really good quality euro-style paddles of my own and 1 that was lent to me for an afternoon, but that one was when I was very new to kayaking and I probably didnât know how to use it because I was less pleased with it then I was my cheep Amazon âTaiwanâ paddle. (which I broke a while ago)
I have made quite a few GL and Aleut paddles and I have kept about 6 of them for myself and my wife. I have a tendency to favor them over the euros. But I bought an Aqua Bone Eagle Ray Hybrid last may and find I really like using it. I was also given a Warner Kalliste as a gift. Itâs the easiest of all the euros I have ever used in every kayak except my Chatham17. For some reason in ONLY that kayak I get a rotational flutter with it if I put any real power to my strokes. I tried and tried and if I pay attention now I can get good performance from it if my catch is just right, but in my Chatham17 itâs a paddle I have to constantly pay attention to for every stroke to keep the flutter away. In all the other kayaks I have paddled with it I do not have that problem. I was using it just a few days ago and if I concentrate, itâs very good. When I was paddling my Sea Lion Shadow I can ding in like I am being chased by a crocodile and it doesnât flutter at all. Same in the Eddyline Fathom. Same in the Prijon Yukon. It only fights me when I am paddling my Chatham. Weird.
But overall I have to give a lot of praise to the Warner. It would be sad if they fold up. Or if the divert to something else to produce.
I truly love the wood Greenland paddles and Aleut paddles because I can experiment with them and do it for a LOT less then I can with high end commercial paddles. I make them myself for fun and can have one ready to start finish sanding on in only about 3 hours. The finish does take time if I do a fine job, but for the experimentation I just sand them to about 120 grit and take them out. I know within 1-2 hours if I like the shaping of if I want to change anything. If I cut more wood I re-sand and try it the 2nd or even the 3rd time in the water. When I like it 100% I sand it down to 220 and finish it.
Because I have wanted to learn how to use a euro paddle better I used the Aqua Bound and the Warner probably 95% of the time last year and so far this year I have used them maybe 1/2 the time, but I still find what is most easy and comfortable for me, and the most intuitive, are the GL and Aleut paddles. For speed, I am force to admit the Warner is the fastest one I own and the Aqua Bound is probably as fast or so close I canât tell any realistic difference, but for just about everything but a forward stroke the wood GL and Aleuts seem better to me.
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Accent and Cannon (same company) in Minneapolis.
I think heâs too worried. Iâm optimistic about the Werner acquisition
Did Werner offer the employees a chance to buy the company so as to keep location and people in where they are?
My understanding is that Jackson approached Werner because (1) they (Jackson) had excess capacity at their plant in Tennessee and (2) Wernerâs margin was suffering, partly due to higher manufacturing costs on the West coast and partly to weak market growth. Being private companies, what went on behind the scenes is largely unknown, but Iâve heard nothing about Werner employees being given the opportunity to offer a competing bid.