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Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: pikachu on May 22, 2005, 08:03:36 PM Hi there!
Does anyone have experience with APEX High Performance Paddles? Used, them, recommend them, all festivals accept them, etc? According to a poster at DragonZone, the paddles are $55, and specs are: S2+carbon fibre/epoxy shaft, ash Tgrip, fibreglass reinforced polypropylene blade. They are about the same weight as Grey Owl HP paddles. Apparently FCRCC men's team all use it? Our team demo'd the paddles and they feel fine, but wondering if anyone's owned one. Thanks! Title: Not the same paddle Post by: tiger on May 22, 2005, 09:08:38 PM The men use an all carbon fibre blade made by Apex. They are not the same as all carbon fibre, all carbon are closer to $200.
The ones listed for $55 are: A wooden t-grip A carbon shaft A "plastic" blade that is colored black They have a warranty on the blade that if it breaks in 2 years (??) they will replace it. It is a good alternative if you cannot afford a carbon fibre. Hopefully it will be allowed at all the local festivals. Title: Apex DURABLADE Paddle Post by: nakano on June 15, 2005, 03:02:59 PM Well, saw the first casualty involving this particular paddle. It cracked along the bottom of the shaft, and the blade went for a swim. This was only the 6th time that paddle had touched water! Maybe this was just bad luck, however that being said, I knew someone whom last year had owned one of the Grey Owl HP Carbon Shaft ones...same problem!
I get the feeling your S.O.L if the shaft goes, for the blade gets the 3 year warranty! Never like the fact that the paddle was multiple pieces, and the joints were where the most stress was during the stroke. So was this really the better alternative to wood? How many people actually own one of these? Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: paddleboy on June 15, 2005, 03:10:07 PM Looking at the eastern websites they are reporting the same exact thing happening .My guess would be to stay away from that paddle until the problems are fixed
Title: Re: Apex DURABLADE Paddle Post by: rightarm on June 15, 2005, 10:04:56 PM Quote from: nakano Well, saw the first casualty involving this particular paddle. It cracked along the bottom of the shaft, and the blade went for a swim. This was only the 6th time that paddle had touched water! Maybe this was just bad luck, however that being said, I knew someone whom last year had owned one of the Grey Owl HP Carbon Shaft ones...same problem! I get the feeling your S.O.L if the shaft goes, for the blade gets the 3 year warranty! Never like the fact that the paddle was multiple pieces, and the joints were where the most stress was during the stroke. So was this really the better alternative to wood? How many people actually own one of these? totally saw that coming. its just like a two piece hockey stick... yes, in theory it can perform better under the right circumstances, but they're also more prone to breakage... paddle is no different. I expect we'll see a lot more of this Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: nakano on June 17, 2005, 12:24:49 AM Quote from: paddleboy Looking at the eastern websites they are reporting the same exact thing happening .My guess would be to stay away from that paddle until the problems are fixed Any word if those paddles are getting repaired or replaced? From what i read the shaft not covered! Title: Re: Apex DURABLADE Paddle Post by: nakano on June 17, 2005, 12:41:51 AM Quote from: mofo totally saw that coming. its just like a two piece hockey stick... yes, in theory it can perform better under the right circumstances, but they're also more prone to breakage... paddle is no different. I expect we'll see a lot more of this Well, the paddle broke during practice! Would really suck if it happened during a race! Quote from: moturismo It's only $10 more than the HP paddle. Lots of paddlers have been buying it as an alternative to the Grey Owl. I think most people like it for the colour, rather than its performance. There is no such thing as a cheaper alternative! Go Big or Go Wood! Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: Sun on June 18, 2005, 07:46:56 AM Have you guys tried simon river sports (SRS) carbon paddles?
http://www.simonriversports.com/english/products/paddles/dragon.html nicest paddle i've tried; i can't go back to wood now. Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: nakano on June 21, 2005, 12:25:14 AM Wow...talk about quality!
Another one bit the dust during the start in the semi-final heat! Luckily it didn't cost the team, and prevent them from going on to the finals with one man down during semi's! Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: DBWTim on June 24, 2005, 10:45:18 AM The Apex Composite is not to be considered an option if you're looking for a light carbonfibre paddle since it is not designed to be. It's meant to be a replacement for a recreational paddler's grey owl paddle.
When you're comparing it's weight... Quote Grey Owl REGULAR - 623.68g Grey Owl PEARL - 623.68g Apex Composite - 580g - 620g Grey Owl JET - 510.29g Grey Owl HI-PERFORMANCE - 510.29g Grey Owl CARBON-SHAFT - 453.59g Simon River Sports - 450-510g on average depending on paddle length. Burnwater Reactor - 430-460 grams w/ carbon T ZRE - 411.06-453.59g on average depending on paddle length and handle. The Apex is a little heavier than a Hi-Performance paddle, but it should not get waterlogged over the years like wood paddles. Since many of you are still using the paddles out of paddling clubs, these will still feel lighter than those. To my knowledge, there have been two of these that have broke (once during a practice and once during Alcan) so these are a little less durable than the Grey Owl paddles you guys are used to. There is a 3 year warranty on these paddles though so you should be ok. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/500ml/Dragon%20Boat/Alcan%202005/sun/DSC_8295.jpg) A marketing department's nightmare... Quote from: Sun Have you guys tried simon river sports (SRS) carbon paddles? [url]http://www.simonriversports.com/english/products/paddles/dragon.html[/url] nicest paddle i've tried; i can't go back to wood now. Had one... the epoxy didn't set right on mine and the blade came loose during the first race of the ADBF Regatta. I think the count (very rough number) was about 6-7 of our order of 30 had that problem. Still waiting for the replacements to come across the country. Stole a Burnwater (still my favorite paddle) for the first day of Alcan and ended up racing with wood for the G&G. Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: Lethal Weapon on June 24, 2005, 11:12:26 AM Recently bought a nice Burn Water Blade and I LOVE it!
The shaft is tapered nicely and reinforced along the shaft. I really like the stiff feel of the blade and connection it makes when you nail the catch..(not that I get that very often but its getting better..) Found it ridiculously light the first time I tried it but after using it for the last 2 regattas (festivals) I also am a Carbon convert. Anyone heard of the Burn Water's breaking yet? Tried the Apex blade and found it too flexible on the blade part. I can picture snapping one of those suckers but they do make great beginner blades but I wouldn't race with them. Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: Guido on June 24, 2005, 02:10:54 PM Quote from: Lethal Weapon Recently bought a nice Burn Water Blade and I LOVE it! ......... Tried the Apex blade and found it too flexible on the blade part. I can picture snapping one of those suckers but they do make great beginner blades but I wouldn't race with them. :wtf: You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.??? :rofl: Found the Burnwater too light....couldn't get any strong pull with it...it felt like I was using a CF Blade in a OC. CF's are great for marathon's....but for an OC...not great. I purchased an SRS blade which I felt was the best overall for me. Title: APEX High Performance Paddles Post by: Lethal Weapon on June 24, 2005, 02:14:26 PM Quote You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.??? No I don't race, I paddle with 19 other paddlers who are out of time :oops: And that's Lethal Buddy! Don't forget it! :twisted: Title: RESPECT! Post by: BernMan on June 24, 2005, 02:44:43 PM Quote from: Lethal Weapon Quote You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.??? No I don't race, I paddle with 19 other paddlers who are out of time :oops: And that's Lethal Buddy! Don't forget it! :twisted: Hey LethalBuddy I think we should teach these young 'uns a bit about respect eh? LOL Now that I am getting to know who is who I laugh at the comments and I try to hear it in my head how something that is written would sound if spoken out loud! |