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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

166 Guests, 0 Users

[Colossus]

I've always felt that a paddle doesn't make the paddler.  I feel that it's far more important for me as a paddler to work hard to develop good technique and build a solid understanding of the stroke mechanics.  A paddle is a tool that helps me get my job done, but it doesn't make me a strong paddler, even though it may be the lightest paddle available on the market.

LIES!!!  LIES!!!!   my carbon fibre paddle makes me super duper fast.  I don't think i'd be as fast as i am without a carbon fibre paddle....   

[LittleSchrodinger]

I'm of the opinion the significance of the weight of a paddle being directly proportional to the paddler's skills. The lower your skills, the less the paddle will really help you. (Giving a Rec E team a full boat of Apex isn't really to going to save them a lot of time on the water.)

[mandachan]

Different strokes for different folks...

Lighter does not mean faster or stiffer. I think if you can, you should try getting your hands on a Ghost and taking a few strokes with it. It's a lot of money to spend on something you're unsure of. You can grow to like it, or you may grow to hate it. It really depends on you.

I use a Typhoon 8 Carbon Fibre and even though some people have told me it feels awkward to hold and use because the blade is much heavier than the handle, I find that it has a momentum I use very well. Other cf's don't have the same weight distribution, and I find it awkward using a Burnwater even though others hail it as a god. 

[Bolero]

I really love my Burnwater.  I have issues with my joints ( elbows, shoulders...)  I find the lighter paddle helps me to stay pain-free.  I do notice the wind more than with a wooden paddle, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.  You get used to the feel of it in the wind and find ways to compensate.  I can't say that it makes me a faster or better paddler other than the fact that not having pain makes for better endurance and technique than when in pain.  It would be interesting to see if an even lighter paddle like the Merlin Ghost would make any more of a difference.  I'm not convinced that the extra cost would be worth it.

[Colossus]

Different strokes for different folks...

Lighter does not mean faster or stiffer. I think if you can, you should try getting your hands on a Ghost and taking a few strokes with it. It's a lot of money to spend on something you're unsure of. You can grow to like it, or you may grow to hate it. It really depends on you.

Excellent advice right there.  I went out and bought a burnwater as my first cf paddle, just because it looked pretty and I wanted to feel "faster" when I paddled (honestly, those were the reasons I bought it).  In the lead up to Toronto and all throughout the CCWC, I used an adjustable Apex and found that to be more comfortable to use for me.  I prefered the way it was balanced, its weight, and as a bonus, its adjustability as I move around in the boat a bit.  When I came back, I bought an adjustable Apex, and to this date, I haven't used anything else.
 
Try out different paddles and see which one you like best, as I don't think they've gotten any cheaper since I bought mine. 

[dragonglobe]

Hi cjl8651,

I know that this reply is much later than your entry and I would guess that you've already made a decision to buy a paddle already. But if not, here's my opinion:

I live in Australia and as a matter of a fact know the owner of Merlin and have been to his factory before to see the paddles as I live close to where they are. The Merlin brand started off a little bit iffy at first and since then have changed plants and moved their operations to a better factory with better Quality Control.

In terms of the Ghost, from what he has said to me, not many people have purchased it because it is too light. Reason why he designed it and put it into the market was because everyone was asking for a lighter paddle. Why not? No one complains about having a lighter paddle, it may take some of the fatigue if you do long distance Dragonboat paddling. But in perspective, it is so light that you don't even feel you are holding a paddle, and that can be a problem when you a whole boat is not using similar equipment. What I mean is that if you have a lighter paddle you may paddle out of time because others will be in time due to having the extra weight in their paddles.

Personally, I don't use such a light paddle and I stick with a paddle in a range of 400 - 450g so that I know I'm using something. A downside with such a light paddle is when it's windy, it catches the wind and you may lose your paddle or get out of control...

Anyway, if you're interested in finding out more about paddles and reading different reviews with opinions, visit my blog at: http://www.dragonglobe.com/reviews/

Thanks and hope you find what you're looking for.

Tyrone

[1_of_20]

Hi everyone,

Joining the topic VERY late, but perhaps I can still be of help to someone. I bought a Merlin Ghost at Alcan last year, and raced the heck out of it the rest of the season, including San Francisco. People, I LOVE this paddle. I also own a Grey Owl (venerable first paddle, much abused) and a Typhoon 8 Dragonfly. I practice with the Typhoon 8 for two reasons: slightly heavier, so better workout, and to preserve my Ghost for many races to come. I switch to the Ghost a couple of weeks before race day so I can refine my timing, which is very necessary with this ultra-lightweight paddle.

With regard to wind and waves, the adjustments seem slight and easy to make. Stability in the water has never been a problem in the slightest. The Ghost is the most rock-solid, power-hungry monster you may ever wish to encounter. I definitely recommend spending some time in the gym so you can use it to its fullest advantage.

With regard to durability, no problems so far. We got into some shallow water during one practice last year and I drove it down directly onto either a rock or something else hard that was on the bottom. I was horrified, to say the least, but there's no apparent damage. So, I'd guess it's not too fragile.

The Merlin people were terrific to deal with, always friendly and responsive when I had questions. Now, the heart of the matter: do you NEED a Merlin Ghost? I can't imagine that you do. I certainly didn't. But I WANTED it. Really badly! It gives me a little extra jolt of happiness every time I use it and I'm glad I bought it.

See you on the water...

Caitlin

[NFW]

yeap..it always boils down to the case of NEED vs WANT hahahah

[doc]

yeap..it always boils down to the case of NEED vs WANT hahahah

Says he with the trivium 

[NFW]

Says he with the trivium 

In my case it was totally the WANTING more than the NEEDING hahaha

Besides, imho Trivium paddles are oh so pretty! not as light as the Ghost, but light enough.

[doc]

hehe, looking at the prices of new burnwater paddles (250USD per paddle and I was looking for eleven!) trivium are looking affordable these days.

[LittleSchrodinger]

True enough. Maybe I should hop aboard the Trivium bandwagon and get the green-coloured blade + adjustability.

[NFW]

True enough. Maybe I should hop aboard the Trivium bandwagon and get the green-coloured blade + adjustability.

hehe, looking at the prices of new burnwater paddles (250USD per paddle and I was looking for eleven!) trivium are looking affordable these days.

LOL, my red Trivium seems like the best color option imho, coz it looks cool! haha

wow, $250 US for the new Burnwater? that's a lot of dough..not as much as the $400+ Ghost mind you.

[StrokeItHard]

haha yeah, and the 250 US is at our GROUP BUY rate.

[NFW]

prepare yourselves for the burning hole in your wallets boys! hahah