This is a post to the Carbon Paddle Thread started by Miilo. I think that carbon paddles can be used buy everyone also as long as you have the bank roll to handle the extra cost. I know some paddlers who use a fiberglass paddle and keep the carbon as a spare for those really long paddling trips. Two things two be aware of though if you plan on using a carbon paddle a lot are that most carbon paddles do not flex. This can be affect some people if they paddle at a high rate of speed. Think of the flex of a fiberglass or wooden paddle as a shock absorber. As you paddle it will take some stress off of your joints as you paddle. One way to avoid that strange pain in your shoulder joint is to avoid paddling at high rates of speed when using a carbon paddle. The other thing to watch for when using a carbon paddle is the palms of your hands. Sometimes manufacturers will take so much resin out of the paddle shaft that it leaves the carbon fibers exposed. The carbon fibers can cause blistering on the palms of your hands if you paddle for long periods of time. One way around that is to cover the portion of the paddle you hold with plastic shrink wrap or you could tape it. Some paddlers even resort to wearing gloves to protect the palms of their hands. Good Paddling, Don Dimond *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > > I think that carbon paddles can be used buy everyone > also as long as you have the bank roll to handle the > extra cost. I know some paddlers who use a fiberglass > paddle and keep the carbon as a spare for those really > long paddling trips. One more thing is that carbon is stiff, but brittle. I've seen racing paddles snap in half under load. If you use a carbon paddle, protect the shaft from dings and cuts. Don't drop it on the rocks. And carry a spare. Steve -- Test Scoring & Reporting Services Sometimes, you never can University of Georgia always tell what you Athens, GA 30602-5593 least expect the most. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Steve Cramer wrote: > One more thing is that carbon is stiff, but brittle. I've seen racing > paddles snap in half under load. If you use a carbon paddle, > protect the > shaft from dings and cuts. Don't drop it on the rocks. And carry a > spare. Yes, carbon fibre (graphite) paddles are more brittle than fibreglass paddles. I was worried about this very aspect prior to purchasing my Lightning Ultralight. When I questioned Hank (or one of his employees, I forget which) I was told that while the paddle shaft is more vulnerable than a comparably sized fibreglass shaft that just taking normal care of the paddle would suffice - ie don't slam the car door on the shaft, don't rock bash the shaft, etc. Several years of happy use have followed and my experience has been that the carbon fibre-based Ultralight is a fine paddle and will last for years with normal use. Use, not abuse. Paddles of any material can always break, be lost, etc. Always carry a spare. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I had a Lendal Carbon paddle with the crank shaft. I used it very gingerly for 3 months and the blade snapped in half. I sent it back to GRO and their response was basically...not our problem. Same with Lendal in the UK. I was able to reuse the shaft but the blades are not replaceable. cu -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Steve Cramer Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 11:25 AM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Carbon Paddles superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > > I think that carbon paddles can be used buy everyone > also as long as you have the bank roll to handle the > extra cost. I know some paddlers who use a fiberglass > paddle and keep the carbon as a spare for those really > long paddling trips. One more thing is that carbon is stiff, but brittle. I've seen racing paddles snap in half under load. If you use a carbon paddle, protect the shaft from dings and cuts. Don't drop it on the rocks. And carry a spare. Steve -- Test Scoring & Reporting Services Sometimes, you never can University of Georgia always tell what you Athens, GA 30602-5593 least expect the most. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:58 PDT