Re: [Paddlewise] Bent shaft paddles?

>
>Have any of you tried the ergonomic bent shaft paddles like the Current
>Designs and the AT Xception paddles? The AT in particular is way steep
(over
>$400), though several of my whitewater paddling friends have the whitewater
>version and can't stop raving about it.

Here are the paddles I have and had, and used extensively:  Werner San Juan,
Werner Little Dipper, Eddyline Windswift, Descente racing paddle, (all
Graphite), wood Greenland by Superior Kayaks, and the AT Xception Tour.  The
AT is far and away the best, well worth the money.  Here are the reasons:
1. The compound bend in the shaft is natural and takes no getting used to.
The straight shaft forces your wrist into an unnatural position and is hard
to go back to.
2.  The oval grip combined with the bend give precise control of blade
angle.  Sculling and bracing are easier and more forgiving.
3.  My roll has improved dramatically.  Don't know why.
4.  On my usual 2 hour, 8 NM paddle I am significantly less tired than with
any of my other paddles.  This is based on many comparative tests.  I don't
go any faster with any one of these paddles but the AT is clearly more
efficient.  Don't know why.
5.  The construction appears great.  The shaft and blade are made together.
There is no joint.
6.  The only negative is that the blade is easily scratched on rocks.


>Do the bent shafts help with carpal tunnel or other wrist flexing problems
>from paddling a feathered blade?

Never had these problems.  But probably yes, since you pull and push with a
more natural grip.

I never tried any other bent shaft paddle but I believe that the compound
bend on the AT is different.  In other words, not all bends are the same.

Jerry


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