What is your favorite wilderness tripping paddle(s) and why? Also, please describe your style of traveling.

The BB Special bent shaft paddle is one I have used, for the money they are fairly nice. I have no problem durability wise with them and have used it on occasion in shallow water with no real signs of wear through the finish. They do seem able to withstand a little abuse and I do not worry about them so much.

Have been looking around at other options last couple of years, and may decide to upgrade to a lighter paddle sometime in the future.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Hello,
my favorite paddle for flatwater tripping is a Grey Owl Freestyle.  I bought mine close to 10 years ago, and it has held up very nicely.  It has a wide, tulip shaped blade that has nice bite.  The blade is very thin, so it slices effortlessly through the water and is very light.  It is a beautiful wood laminate with a few different colors of wood.  The paddle was also fairly cheap for a wood paddle, less than $100.  The only problem is, before I wrote this I checked the Grey Owl website and I saw they only offer it in composite now.  I am partial to wood.  I have a straight shaft, but it also was made in bent.  The touring 12 degree bent shaft looks similar.

For river tripping I use an Ainsworth C100.  This is an ABS plastic/aluminum paddle.  It is a bit heavy compared to the fancy fiberglass/carbon whitewater blades, but it is incredibly durable.  I really love the blade design.  Most of all I like that the shaft does not penetrate into the blade, unlike most aluminum paddles, so underwater strokes are smooth.  It's a British company, I don't remember how I got my paddle.  I think I ordered it through Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis.  Price was intermediate between cheap aluminum and fiberglass blade.  A high quality wood whitewater paddle is the Mitchell Open Boat.  But again I just checked the website and the aluminum tip I loved so much has been replaced with a cheap polyurethane tip, not as durable.  

BrownTrout01 -- I suggest you send a PM to Paddlemaker.  He's a real craftsman.  

prouboy

Prou- That might be a good idea. Have been feeling the need to try a few new paddles, but have resisted the urge mainly because I don't want a bunch of stuff laying around that I hardly use.

One on the list of things to try would be something like a beavertail to start.

So far have resisted the urge to get a nicer paddle for the shallow creeks (which is where I mainly go). A lot of them are just as heavy as my aluminum and plastic or really expensive. I found that I like mine much better then the fluted werner blade for sculling and in water recovery.

Something for playing around on deeper water like a freestyle paddle might be really nice though.

AP-
The Grey Owl and the mitchell both look like nice paddles.

I like my Bending Branches Cruiser Plus bentshaft. Loaned it to Snowdog for his cross park solo, and he also loves it.

My BB bentshaft split along a seam on year three....best thing that happened....for a friend then picked me up a Quetico herringboned beavertail...bentshaft to boot.  I give it no TLC and it is now at 6 yrs and looking strong yet.  Looks great as well.

But I want a Zav

I love my XY Co. paddle made by Don Meany. I forget which model he calls it, but it's their most popular model.  All wood bentshaft beavertail with a comfortable asymetrical grip and a phenominal blade curve for efficient lake paddling. I don't know what wood he uses, but my paddle is lighter than other wood paddles of similar size, but also strong and not flexible.  His son Spencer has taken over, but I hear the quality is just as good.  If you're in Atikokan, I suggest stopping in.  Spencer can be reached at 807-597-2320, or xycompany@bellnet.ca

The only feature I'd like to have on mine is a small rock guard tip for the very shallow creeks.  Typically I just switch the the spare paddle in those situations.

Also FWIW, as a note to those who travel by commercial airplane, I suggest getting a travel golf club bag long enough for your paddles.  My 56" benshaft barely fits into a nice padded bag.  Seems like most of the airlines will check a golf bag free of extra fees, but damn if you try to bring a good paddle bag or other sporting equipment.  I guess there are enough travelers with golf bags that would cause a stink.

BrownTrout01 wrote on Sep 15^th, 2009 at 5:33am:

Prou- That might be a good idea. Have been feeling the need to try a few new paddles, but have resisted the urge mainly because I don't want a bunch of stuff laying around that I hardly use. One on the list of things to try would be something like a beavertail to start. Something for playing around on deeper water like a freestyle paddle might be really nice though.

BT- I am a proud owner of a paddle made by paddlemaker.  It's gorgeous.  And, one of the really cool things I love about, paddlemaker didn't finish the grip, so as I paddle I can enjoy the aroma of cedar wood on my hand!  I highly recommend him if you want a unique, non-corporate, beautiful paddle.

prouboy