Re: [Paddlewise] Eddyline/Swift paddles?

Joshua Teitelbaum wrote:
> 
> Anyone out there had experience with Eddyline's Swift kayak paddles? What
> do you think of them?  They have now come out with a narrower blade, the
> UltraSwift (4" width).  These paddles are not discussed under Topics on the
> PaddleWise web page.

Not familiar with the UltraSwift.  I own two WindSwifts and one SeaSwift.  The
latter has the most aggressive blade in the series, I believe, while the
WindSwift is a compromise blade with less surface area which is designed to
relieve windage when paddling unfeathered.  My SO paddles the SeaSwift, and
loves it.  I don't.  It aggravates my wrist tendonitis, perhaps related to the
more vertical stroke required.  When we paddle a double, I take the longer of
the WindSwifts to equalize our cadences.  I like the paddle.  All are light.

However, if you have access to them, you might consider one of the Lightning
paddles (see Mat Broze's excellent treatise on Lightning's paddles on the
Mariner Website:  http://www.marinerkayaks.com/mkhtml/Padls98w.html).  I have
used a one-piece unfeathered Standard Tour of theirs at 220 cm for over five
years, and it is better (for me) than the Eddyline paddles.  Lightning's
replacement warrantee is reputed to be extremely good, and paddles are replaced
quickly, contrary to the experience of the Riccis with Eddyline when they broke
a shaft.  Check the weights quoted on Matt's site for comparison with the
weights on the Swift paddles.

Usual disclaimers -- although I do sorta know Hank Hays from Lightning through
my brother.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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