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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

207 Guests, 0 Users

[pikachu]

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!

[tiger]

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.

[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?

[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

[rightarm]

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

[nakano]

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!

[nakano]

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!

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!

[Sun]

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.

[nakano]

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!

[DBWTim]

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...

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.

A marketing department's nightmare...

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.

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.

[Lethal Weapon]

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.

[Guido]

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.

     You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.???

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.

[Lethal Weapon]

You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.???

No I don't race, I paddle with 19 other paddlers who are out of time  
 And that's Lethal Buddy! Don't forget it!  

[BernMan]

You know how to race Mr. ahem Weapon.???

No I don't race, I paddle with 19 other paddlers who are out of time  
 And that's Lethal Buddy! Don't forget it!  

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!