I have only ever used a 45 degree. I would go with what you are used to. I think the 0 degree feather was a fad. Doesn't really lend itself to good paddling mechanics and upper body rotation.

45 only cause I'm used to it though. zero seems good though for symmetry and not getting rolled on landing. I'm just too lazy and couch bound to change.

Jon is right, as usual and is the biggest reason to not go 0 or 15. This is why slalom paddlers typically use 75 or 90 and 45 was considered the natural ergonomic feather for your body's natural twist. I paddle with a 30 and love it but sometimes on a high vertical stroke you can still see where 45 would be better. But i prefer 30 for an all around feather but it's personal preference.

Dont forget that Ken whiting (who was my hero for ever) was in the height of the playboat revolution and they were inventing new moves doing bow stalls which were new so they thought being able to push and pull at the same time with a 0 degree was helpful to playboating but does make a good forward stroke look like sh*t ! and doesnt offer the power needed like Jon is saying with your wrist cocked forward. It's a week wrist position.

These days you dont see many 0 degree paddlers on the pro tour infact most are rocking straight 30 or 45.

But seriously in the end its just what works for you and feels good.. I meen we could talk length as well. I went from a 194 to a 197 to a 200 to a 203 back to a 200 and now I have a 199 ? I used to like bent shaft but now am sold on the leverage of a straight 30 foam core. ??

Good luck Ohta

Edited by FLUID - 24 Mar 2014 at 6:17pm

Of course, if you bow-stall all the way down the river (and I'm pretty sure I've seen you doing this), then you might prefer an unfeathered paddle...

Right on. I totally agree. Fluid makes good points, too.

I haven't really ever put too much thought into the feather angle issue, ironicly enough. I mean, its obviously an important detail, I just never slowed down to ponder it much. I guess I noticed the feather angle gradually shrink over time.

My first paddle was handcrafted by Jimmy Snyder. While I don't remember the feather angle I want to say it was straight up 90.

I used the same Backlund (rest his soul) for at least 14 yrs and I think it was 72 degrees. Unfortunately I lost it that time I swam on the Sky. My only regret about that trip's outcome.

That's when I finally went synthetic and got the Foam Core Bent Shaft Werner (45 degrees). I've since gone back to the fiberglass straight shaft, (also 45) but I really want a Blunt Family Paddle. I'm so grateful that Kenny Kiley is carrying the torch. Kieth Backlund's last apprentice. Every avid paddler should probably have a Blunt Family stick. For real.

As far as my preference these days regarding feather angle, my reasoning was simple when I started buying these modern, generic paddles: I figured since 45 degrees was still the ubiquitous standard, I would adapt to that so that I would be most likely to be universally compatible with whichever stick I picked up.

Like, if I were to snap one in some dank ass gnarly canyon and had to use an unfamiliar breakdown, what feather would it likely be?

I respect the Zero Degree Feather Movement as it applys to playboating. Afterall, playboating is by its very nature an outgrowth and modification of the standard whitewater kayaking mode. But its specialization seems like it would be very limiting outside of the playboating context. A hinderence, even.

The drawbacks to low angle feather blades were outlined well enough in the above posts, and yeah some rare individuals whose playboating bag of tricks dominate their creeking style may prefer them. I just believe that I'd lose too much "umph". Too much of the dynamic mojo that for me makes kayaking fun.

But I don't really know sh*t compared to THIS GUY:
Anyone who has a sincere interest in the matter owes it to themselves to check out this link:

http://rivrstyx.com/the-feather-rap/




Edited by jP - 25 Mar 2014 at 11:00am

Is that what he's calling them? Shade Tree?

Viva La Ru Twang!!

Seriously though, this whole topic really isn't complete without this article being read first:

http://rivrstyx.com/the-feather-rap/

Damn hyperlink buttons n widgets never seem to work, so I won't bother. But trust me, its worth a little cut n paste action.

Sweet, and thanks Andy!!!

I do think that it's the paddler's technique that makes for good torso rotation and not the paddle feather. I do think that a certain feather may help but we adapt to what we are working with.

I have also heard people who paddle low degree feathers, refer to having two control hands vs. only RHC or LHC. Maybe bottom hand grips and top hand slips instead of right hand grips and left hand slips...



Edited by H2Ohta - 25 Mar 2014 at 8:41pm

Nothing spins and twirls like a zero... If you want to avoid the dangerous quark zap a zero is helpful. I could make other arguments but I believe this is enough.

Aren't you supposed to be on the Illiinois?