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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Viking Paddler]

So i drilled the screws out, got new ones, and now i'm good to go with it being properly maintained this time around. 
as for the slipping, any paddle can slip on you.  or am i not fully understanding what you mean?

I was referring to the quick release version of adjustable paddle, the one with the button adjustment, ... not knowing that a screw type version was out there.  Where have I been paddling all these years? (the prairies).  These type of button adjustable paddles sounded convenient until I heard that they had a tendancy of slipping while in use.  Not sure if this is common, but it looks like they may have corrected this issue with the intro (for some individuals - me) of the screw, or do both versions exist out there?

[Colossus]

that button version you speak of sounds like the SRS paddle (which chaos posted up some info about earlier in the thread).  the Apex paddles have been screw-type for quite a while.

[Viking Paddler]

I haven't been in the market for a paddle for quite some time which would explain my head in the sand response.  Thanks for the info.

[sinkingboat]

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.

One of our women paddlers took a Chinook out for a spin and broke it.  Now I must admit I wasn't there to witness this so several things may have happened:

1) There may have been a defect in that particular paddle.
2) This particular paddler is extremely strong (which may be the case) 
3) She liked it so much she decided to use it against the hull of the boat, or
4) The Chinook has a flaw in its design.

Given that it's a new comer I'd need to see more evidence of use before buying one.  It is a heavier paddle than the burnwater, but apparently it has a flexible shaft unlike the burn thus easier on the shoulders.  The jury is out with this paddler on this paddle.

One of our men broke TWO at Alcan, I'd be leary about these paddles. Haven't heard of anyway Burnwaters breaking.

The paddle in question was a demo paddle that had been bounced around amongst several paddlers in  Vancouver before it was shipped to Calgary via greyhound.   I believe it was damaged before she got her hands on it. And yes she is strong.

The paddle in this case of the 2 broken at Alcan have not broken actually as much as what ever fastener (glue) they are using between the shaft and the blade seems to be separating and needs to be re-glued.  The paddler likes the paddle, just not the glue.

Burn Waters have had their issues in the past if you go look at past threads on this topic.  There were several runs of paddles from Burnwater that bubbled in some fashion.

To make a long story short it appears as though most paddle makers have and will continue to have issues over time.  

One of the paddlers on our team broke his chinook blade at the start of the final race at Harrison. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with the warranty.

[LittleSchrodinger]

Yeah. I noticed that he was testing his blade for play, and he had the paddle for only two or three months, too. So I guess Chinooks aren't the most durable paddles, are they?

[sinkingboat]

Just to follow up with the broken Chinook blade. Ryan Pogue refunded the full cost of the paddle no questions asked AND apologized. Classy guy.

[James Cole]

I recently switched from the Burnwater to a ZRE.
I have nothing but positive things to say about the ZRE. I didn't consider them in the past due to the weird plastic "toy" handle, but with the "new" carbon t-handle, I decided to go that direction and have to say I'm sold.

[rightarm]

I recently switched from the Burnwater to a ZRE.
I have nothing but positive things to say about the ZRE. I didn't consider them in the past due to the weird plastic "toy" handle, but with the "new" carbon t-handle, I decided to go that direction and have to say I'm sold.

Good man!  I never used the plastic handle personally, skipped straight to the carbon (for the minimal additional cost its worth it) so I can't comment on the plastic, but in terms of dragon boat paddles, I have yet to see / try one that i like better than the ZRE. 

[glowing_ice]

you have yet to see/try a db paddle better than the ZRE?!  (good shameless promotion of ZRE... that's exactly what i would have done.)  rightarm time for you to try out some more paddles... you'll be surprised at what you find out.

burnwater rules burnwater rules burnwater rules!  j/k 

a plastic versus a carbon t-grip makes very minimal difference (if any) in performance.

it's mostly personal preferences, comfort and feel of the blade.  i personally like the burnwater's flushed t-grip.  the apex full CF has the t-grip with the plastic caps at the end which has caused a few abrassion blisters on my hand.  one of my teammates really liked the SRS's hollow t-grip that is erogonomically designed which allows for a better grip and contour of the top hand.  however SRS's are also known to break easily, especially near the t-grip.

anyone wanna lend me a typhoon 8 CF to tryout?

[denistran]

I'm currently trying out a burnwater paddle. The only thing I dont like about it is that the shaft is just so slippery. perhaps I put too much top arm drive, and my technique is far from perfect. And you can also put wax or correct your technique to make the arms move in perfect harmony.

What I like most on the Burnwater is how it cuts through water. I would sometimes pull with my arms on an OC, and you'd feel the paddle go left and right producing a sinuisoidal trajectory in the water. Could be an inconvenient, but then, I was arm paddling, so its like an arm paddling detector.

I'm not yet used to the more lighter weight paddles, so i kind of felt the shaft bend if i would hold the paddle with my bottom hand a little higher than normal (mostly for OCing), anybody got that feeling?

Soon, i'm gonna try out the Apex accelerator. cant wait to try it as it promises to be 100g lighter than the burn water.

[rightarm]

you have yet to see/try a db paddle better than the ZRE?!  (good shameless promotion of ZRE... that's exactly what i would have done.)  rightarm time for you to try out some more paddles... you'll be surprised at what you find out.
burnwater rules burnwater rules burnwater rules!  j/k 

lol whatever dude, i don't care if anyone buys a ZRE cuz i'm not the distributor.  I said its the paddle I LIKE!  I also like the fact that IF something were to break (and I have yet to hear of one breaking) all the parts for it can be purchased separately (blade, shaft, grip), AND you get a choice of palm or T grip based on preference.  And its the lightest, and the blade isn't hollow so you don't have to worry about "bubbling"... What's not to like??

As for other paddles, I've paddled with a burnwater (new and old), SRS, Chinook, Apex (non-adjustable) and GO Jet, so i've definitely tried a few! :p   

[sterles]

I just got the Typhoon8 Dragonfly this past weekend. So far I love it and I know a few of my teammates are really impressed with it and considering buying one. I suppose that it doesn't hurt that it has a dragonfly on it too I tried both the palm grip and t-grip ZREs and the new Burnwaters. I definitely prefer the t-grip. The thing that sold me on the T8 (other than its sheer beauty) is that it actually had a little more substance to it than the others, without being as heavy and clunky as a wood paddle. CF performance without feeling like the slightest wind would whisk it away.

[glowing_ice]

I'm currently trying out a burnwater paddle. The only thing I dont like about it is that the shaft is just so slippery. perhaps I put too much top arm drive, and my technique is far from perfect. And you can also put wax or correct your technique to make the arms move in perfect harmony.

hmm.. that's a very common problem with the burnwater.  the shaft is where ZRE and SRS probably comes out on top.  ZRE has a matt finish which provides decent grip even without applying any paddle wax. as for the SRS it has a textured finish on the shaft that gives it a more natural grip... some food for thought when selecting a paddle that's right for you.

i apply a lot of wax on my burnwater before practice or a race.  also, you might find wearing a glove helpful in providing additional grip on your paddle.  

last but not least there are various products out there that you can use on your paddle.  i have found that the orangy paddle wax from MEC works wonders (but sticks to EVERYTHING).  sex wax is the popular choice but remember to get the cold water formula as it adheres better for west coast waters.

sterles:  where did you buy the typhoon 8?  can i borrow your paddle? hahaha... 

[Special K]

Hockey tape works very well and you don't get the mess that the wax leaves. You don't need to use much tape, just enough for the palm size of your hand.

[James Cole]

a plastic versus a carbon t-grip makes very minimal difference (if any) in performance.

With the ZRE it's not an issue of materials.

Their plastic grip is an odd ("ergonomic") shape that seems (to me) to be tiny and weird and toy-like. Their carbon grip is a traditional t-grip.