kayaker’s
journal IN THE HATCH BY TIM SHUFF Get Bent
WHY YOU SHOULD PAY MORE FOR AN ERGONOMIC PADDLE
Bent shafts, also known as cranks, are everywhere. Buying one will put you back up to 75 bucks and as many grams more than their Euclid- ean equivalents. Is it worth it? Te short answer is that it depends on whether you’ve tried one yet. A bent shaft paddle puts the wrist in a more neutral position, spread-
ing force more evenly through the hand to reduce fatigue and joint strain. Tere are two types: modified and neutral. Te modified bent shaft positions the hand slightly ahead of the blade to align it in the wa- ter and reduce flutter. Some paddlers prefer the simpler, neutral bend, which puts the grip in line with where it would be on a straight shaft. Te bottom line is, if someone offers to let you try a bent shaft
paddle, you’d better save up your money before you accept; most paddlers are content with straight shafts until they spend any se- rious time with the alternative. Here are two models to consider if you get hooked.
Feathercraft—beautiful folding kayaks you can take anywhere
Lendal Kinetik Touring Lendal could proudly claim to offer the world’s most customiz- able quiver. Choose between numerous combinations of shaft type, lock system and material; and blade type, material and colour (including glow-in-the- dark). Te Kinetik blade shape is modelled after whitewater slalom paddles for rapid ac- celeration and manoeuvring. Te shaft has a modified bend. Our four-piece with an infi- nitely adjustable Varilok carbon shaft and fi- breglass blades had a greater swing weight than the Sawyer, but promised correspondingly better du- rability and strength—plus the added feature of inter- changeable blades.
$240–$505 USD,
depending on shaft and blade selection
lendal.com
Sawyer Orca V-Lam Graphite > Sawyer offers this beautiful, brand new paddle with a high-tech carbon shaft and a traditional heart of western red cedar. Te modified bend looks radical but feels very comfortable and natural in the hand. Tis is a superlight paddle at a surprisingly low price. Te cracker-thin, flutter-free blades are coat- ed with fibreglass and wisely reinforced with carbon at the tip and Dynel around the edges. Te spine extending along the blade causes just the slightest turbulence when sculling or side-slipping on a run- ning draw. Te Cam Lock ferrule allows 5 cm of length adjustment and infinite angles of offset.
$280 US
WWW.FEATHERCRAFT.COM / MADE IN CANADA / PADDLED WORLDWIDE 36 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SUMMER 2008
paddlesandoars.com
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