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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Swordfish]

For what it's worth, one of our more experienced paddlers put up her review of the different paddles here.  As an update, since the time she wrote her reviews, it seems that the Chinook shaft isn't as thin as she initially thought.

Also, at the FCRCC regatta I had the opportunity to play with an SRS, Chinook and Burnwater.  In terms of weight, I'd say from heaviest to lightest would be the Chinook, SRS, then Burnwater.  How do they compare?  Heck if I know...the adrenaline was pumping a bit too hard that day   One thing that might make a difference for long term use though is that the Chinook shaft is completely round whereas the Burnwater shaft is slightly oval.  I like the grip on the Chinook shaft since it's...er, ribbed for your pleasure.

I'd follow her recommendations though...if you can't feel the difference, just get the cheapest one that works

[glowing_ice]

It's funny no one really mentioned Typhoon8,Trivium or Brasca sport in the CF paddle category.  Anyone used these before?

http://www.typhoon8.com/
http://www.triviumpaddles.com/
http://www.bracasportusa.com/products/bracsa_dragonboat.htm

[rightarm]

Okay here goes:

Burnwater = http://www.burnwater.com/dragonboatpaddles/dragon_boat_paddles.html
$190 USD + shipping.   Local distributor is Greg Lamb i believe (?), perhaps he can post his contact info

Apex = http://www.apexcomposites.com/carbonfiberpaddles.php
$225 CAD + tax & shipping.   Local distributor out of FCRCC, i don't know his name, again, same as above.  That price seems high, i'm sure i've heard of people getting them locally for much less than that.

ZRE = http://www.zre.com/gearshop/paddlesport/canoepaddles/dragonpaddle.php
$175 - 195 USD + shipping (based on choice of grip type).   Local distributor by special order is Western Canoe and Kayak in Abbotsford.  http://www.westerncanoekayak.com/directions.php  (ignore what they have on the website, for some reason WC&K doesn't stock the 202a spec, which is ultimately stupid, but they will order them in for you which will save the shipping... i believe it is about $210 CAD before taxes.  They will also do group buys)

SRS = http://www.simonriversports.com/english/products/paddles/dragon.html
price unknown.  pretty sure there are local distributors for these, there is usually someone selling them at alcan.

Bracsa = http://www.bracasportusa.com/products/bracsa_dragonboat.htm
$295 USD.  distributor unknown.  I've heard from a couple of people that these paddles are second to none in terms of quality and for that price, you better hope so!  never touched one, can't say for sure

Grey Owl = http://www.greyowlpaddles.com/pages/dragon.html     refer to paddle "E", the "Jet" paddle
$175 CAD.  sold locally at lots of places. 

and the new comer:

Chinook Diablo = http://www.poguesports.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2-5-4&Category_Code=2-6&Product_Count=3
$129.99 CAD.  Sold at Pogue Sports.  Would love to get a reaction on this from anyone who has bought or used one.


Your best bet is to determine your budget for a paddle, what your criteria are, and then if you can, try a few out.  ultimately if you find one you like and its within your budget, buy it.  if its way out of your range, then perhaps you need to sacrifice what you are looking for.

I chose to pay more for the ZRE than I would have for a burn or apex or grey owl locally because A) I wanted the lightest paddle I could get; B) I wanted something that felt like it could take abuse, and C) I wanted the palm grip option because I hate the T-grip (however they are also available with T grip).   As I said in my previous comment, its unfortunately there are no canadian distributors of this paddle as they are a great value when sold without shipping charges.


EDIT: LOL took me a while to compile that, there were some more added above.   but there you have it, LOTS of choices.   

[glowing_ice]

yeah definitely lots to choose from.  i wouldn't mind trying out the Typhoon8 CF paddle.  from the website pic it looks like the similar matt finish of the ZRE.  they listed Ryan Pogue (Pogue Sports) as the dealer contact for Vancouver.  MSRP $159 USD plus shipping and handling.

they also had the Typhoon8 wooden paddles at the calgary dboat festival last year and those were quite nice.

[Colossus]

I'm also having a dilema right now too, of whether or not to get a BURNWATER or an APEX ULTIMATE ( ADJUSTABLE )

thats easily addressed by telling us what you require out of your paddle.  if you want it to be adjustable because you move around to different seats in the boat, get the adjustable.  by moving around, i mean from the first 3 rows to any other row further back, because i've found that i'll use the same length from seat 4 back to seat 10.  its just the very front where i have to battle with wake that i'll drop an inch or so in paddle length. 

[StrokeItHard]

I'm also having a dilema right now too, of whether or not to get a BURNWATER or an APEX ULTIMATE ( ADJUSTABLE )

thats easily addressed by telling us what you require out of your paddle.  if you want it to be adjustable because you move around to different seats in the boat, get the adjustable.  by moving around, i mean from the first 3 rows to any other row further back, because i've found that i'll use the same length from seat 4 back to seat 10.  its just the very front where i have to battle with wake that i'll drop an inch or so in paddle length. 

I'm generally in the middle of the boat. ( like 95% of the time )

[Colossus]

then getting an adjustable is fairly pointless unless you plan on eventually being at the front.  get a fixed length paddle at whatever length you're used to/sized for and call it a day. 

[paddleboy]

 actually it may be better to get an adj. as different boats sit different in the water and crews can also weight different so the boat may sit higher or lower

[chilipepper]

"Bracsa = http://www.bracasportusa.com/products/bracsa_dragonboat.htm
$295 USD.  distributor unknown.  I've heard from a couple of people that these paddles are second to none in terms of quality and for that price, you better hope so!  never touched one, can't say for sure"

Actually, these are available for $200 CAD (plus shipping) from a supplier in Nova Scotia.  Wicked Hungarian (flatwater masters) paddles with a palm grip instead of a T.  I've used the Grey Owl (both wood and carbon), the Burnwater and the Apex, and this is by far my favourite of the bunch.   

[rightarm]

Actually, these are available for $200 CAD (plus shipping) from a supplier in Nova Scotia.  Wicked Hungarian (flatwater masters) paddles with a palm grip instead of a T.  I've used the Grey Owl (both wood and carbon), the Burnwater and the Apex, and this is by far my favourite of the bunch.   

awesome! do you happen to know who the distributor is?


Perhaps we all of this info can be compiled and sticky'd?

[chilipepper]

From what I can tell it's just a guy that sells them on the side out of his house in Waverley, NS.  The service is not very good, as in he doesn't respond to your e-mails very quickly, and it's a "send me a cheque, I'll send you a paddle" kind of deal.  The guy's name is Kati Latorovszki, and his business e-mail is  [email protected].  Bracsa makes an OC paddle too, but I've never had a chance to use one.   

[dogpaddle]

Thank you for all the comments on the different types of carbon fibre paddles. I decided to get a Burnwater and picked it up this weekend at the Alcan Regatta. It was $200 with taxes included. I love it and think it's well worth the money!    I wouldn't be surprised to see them at the Alcan Festival...

[chopsticks]

I wouldn't be surprised to see them at the Alcan Festival...

During the Alcan Regatta, I heard from one of the vendors that there will be no vendors at the Alcan Festival this year - not sure if its true or not.

[glowing_ice]

that's just dumb to not allow vendors at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.  it's a cash cow!  especially since it's free admission this year (finally!).  i hope burnwater setups a booth. not that i have anything to buy.  i practically own burnwater gear from head to toe 

[DBWTim]

Just thought I'd put in my two cents in regards to the SRS carbon fibre paddle.

I had purchase my 48"-50" adjustable paddle during a group buy back in 2005. The order didn't come in until just before Alcan and as luck would have it, the paddle I had ordered came defective and needed to be sent back for replacement. I wasn't the only one in the order that had a defective and replacements didn't arrive till well past Alcan.

The paddle itself wasn't too bad.. because of the adjustability (Yes, I know that it's not a real word) factor, it was heavier than the Burnwater Reactor I had used before but lighter than the Grey Owl.

After taking the 2005 season off, I returned to paddling this season but used a wood Grey Owl Hi-Perf until the week before Alcan where I switch to the SRS. From then on until last Wednesday I had used the SRS for practices. However, it's rather disappointing to say that after less than a full season of paddling, the top t-handle snapped off while I was out on the OC1 (Thanks to the Roli guys for lending me a paddle so I could get back to the club). From what I heard from the group buy, this was a common problem with the SRS paddle and that not many of those paddles are in actual use.

As a paddle, it's really nothing special. But with the quality control on these things, I strongly recommend passing on the SRS unless they have fixed the weak t-handle in their new paddles.