I am considering making the switch from B/S to straight shaft paddle and wondering if anyone else has made the same switch. I have paddled bent shaft since 2003. I have paddle straight shaft on occasion and like the feel of both. I think the boof stroke feels better with a straight shaft... I want a Werner Powerhouse with some flex in the shaft which means going to a straight shaft now as the carbon shaft does not flex at all.

If you made this change from bent to straight, or have any valuable insight, you comments are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ohta

Edited by H2Ohta - 08 Jun 2014 at 6:42am

Great insights, Jed!!!

Yeah, I am a new comer to synthetic paddles (i.e. paddles that are not custom built of wood). Lost my Backlund during my 60,000 cfs Sky Swim. Backlund scolded me heavily for this foolishness.

So in december 2006 I went for a Werner because I couldn't afford a Backlund and needed something quick. Rest his soul, The Master is no longer with us. Well, as long as all of us keep paddling I guess he will be with us more than we know because essentially any modern paddle from the cheapest to the top end is an echo of his legacy. And, thanks to Blunt Family paddles, the purity lives on...

So I got a carbon fiber bent shaft w/ the the foam core floaty blades. Loved it, but the B/S took some adjustment. I liked the floatyness of the foam core blades, and the Salto and Diablo boats were not always as floaty as I'd like, so the foam core helped offset that. But the foam core blades are weaker and eventual wear and tear wore them out.

2012? I think was when I purchased my 2nd ever non-hand crafted, non wood paddle. It is the paddle I currently use: a straight shaft fiberglass blade werner. Its red like everyone else's. I am happy to have switched back to the straight shaft. It feels way more crisp and direct.

I like the slicey nature of the fiberglass blade. It cuts into the catch like a surgeon, especially when it is brand new and doesn't have any burs on the blade. Anyone wanting that extra edge for a race should try to use a virgin or relatively fresh fiberglass blade. Also, it is worth cultivating clean technique to preserve your blades so that they paddle cleaner for you. With the Slicey nature of a fiberglass blade, I found it to be a great compliment to the 80 gallon beach ball I paddle (that's not to dis my Shiva- I love the way it floats on top, the fiberglass blade just helps get traction and direct that bobbing, boofing bucket of of bliss! ).

As far as the Straight Shaft element, which is more what you're more interested in, I like the solidity and simplistic assertiveness it imparts. There is something simple and elegant that I now feel was missing w/ the bent shaft. Also, I think my wrists are actually happier than they were w/ the bent shaft. Maybe each paddler needs to discover and feel the difference for themselves. But I really think my stroke work can harness power more directly w/ the straight shaft. Honestly I have to say I haven't noticed the flex factor so much, but I do recall the rigidity of the carbon fiber paddle.

One of my paddling buddy/colligues was an "Olympic Hopeful" slalom/wildwater racer who trained under the legendary Cathy Hearn (a quick google of her will open up a doorway into the Deep End of Whitewater History). Anywho my buddy, with his classical training, is currently rocking a straight shaft fiberglass. So, in my opinion, that says a lot right there.

Now, for playboating, it could be apples and oranges, but pretty sure that's Rob's standard as well. But probably because its cheaper and he goes through way more paddles because he likes to get into...situations...

Hopefully you'll get some more feedback from the playboaters, though, since that is a cornerstone of your style, Chris. I just like jamming downstream boofing whatever lies in my path and S-Turning through convoluted lines...


Edited by jP - 09 Jun 2014 at 10:14am

Good call Ohta, I've been paddling a  Powerhouse Carbon Straight 200cm for a couple months now.  I'm pretty stoked on the switch to straight shaft!