[Paddlewise] paddle recommendations

I am looking to purchase a new touring paddle for my husbands 50th  birthday.
He has been kayaking for about 10 years having used several paddles that
haven't been quite right (latest Werner San Juan 230 cm).  We would like to
make sure that he gets the right paddle for once.  It is tough here in Vermont
finding shops that have these high end paddles to try or to find folks who
work in these shops that know  enough to actually sort this out with us.  So I
am asking for any feed back you may have.  From our research we are looking at
the carbon fiber paddles made by AT (bent shaft), Lightning and Epic.  The
consideration when trying to pick a paddle for him are:





1.  He has arthritis in his shoulders and back and has wrists that are not
very flexible.  He wants a paddle that is easy on his body.  





2.  He is left handed but has used right hand control and right handed
feathering.





3.  He has a hard time pivoting the paddle because of his stiff wrists.  For
example it is hard to do a high brace on the left side with right hand
control.  When going back to paddling on the right the blade angle is in the
wrong position, at times causing him to roll over.





4.  He has big hands and would like a grip that positively locates the paddle
blade and fits his hands.





5.  He is a strong paddler, having been a builder for 25 years and doing a lot
of sports but is not interested in racing or surfing.  He likes to practice
bracing and rolling.





6.  While he would like a blade that is suitable for a strong paddler, he also
wants one that will provide easy paddling when he is sore and tired.





 





Considering all this, the questions that have come up are:





  1.. Should the issues with his body be an over whelming reason to by an AT
paddle?


  2.. Which of these paddles has a grip more suitable for bigger hands and
provides positive location?


  3.. All offer different size blades.  Should he get the larger blade?


  4.. Should he get a paddle feathered at 45 degrees, go unfeathered, or try
left hand control to deal with his wrist pivoting problem?


  5.. Do you sacrifice anything with a bent like is it harder to do low
braces? 


  6.. Any thoughts or recommendations?


Thanks,





Julie





 














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