Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

I had a revelation on Crummock Water when using Paullys Ainsworth NC100 resin paddle. The blade shape aroused my interest so I gave it a go and what a revelation! I loved it so much so I am intent on getting one, just as soon as Graeme gets back from his holiday



Now given that I have searched high and low for the 'right' paddle I was somewhat taken aback with the satisfaction I got from the NC100. Sure its a little on the heavy side and the handle is a little rough but the power you can put through the thing is awesome. That said it is a 'speed' paddle designed for white water use and is a little unwieldy for steering strokes, the real use for me would be into wind paddling, oh and river use

The realisation that you don't always get what you pay for came when I spent a hundred quid on a Whisky Jack and was sorely disappointed, without doubt the worst paddling purchase I have made

This now begs the question; Am/was I a paddle snob? are the rest of us? I know one other member who is

Lets just say my view on things paddling has been changed and given the current economic climate I am glad of my epiphany.

Hi Lee, I can agree with you about the Whiskey Jack paddle, I was a little dissapointed with it, BUT, did I/we expect to much out of the paddle??
Very interested in what you say about paddling into heavy winds, and the paddle you say is the one to have is this Ainsworth NC100, as having a couple of times the real need of good strong power strokes, found the W/J more than usless, I think it was someone on the other channel suggested that an extra long double bladed Kyak paddle was advantageous in very strong head winds, anyone got any thoughts or experience of this???
Regards Bill

(15-04-09 10:10 AM)Canalvoyageur Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Lee, I can agree with you about the Whiskey Jack paddle, I was a little dissapointed with it, BUT, did I/we expect to much out of the paddle??
Very interested in what you say about paddling into heavy winds, and the paddle you say is the one to have is this Ainsworth NC100, as having a couple of times the real need of good strong power strokes, found the W/J more than usless, I think it was someone on the other channel suggested that an extra long double bladed Kyak paddle was advantageous in very strong head winds, anyone got any thoughts or experience of this???
Regards Bill

In your case I would just keep out of the wind.

I don't know about snobbery for me it is finding a paddle I like to use

I have a basic bent shaft for most of my work; a long otter tail for deep water tripping mainly lakes; My red blade red tail is only for show because I like the colour; a cheapish Ainsworth for shallow rivers and bumpy stuff. I haven't done the bigger bumpy stuff so I am not sure what will fit there.

Do I buy by name? No none of my kit is purchased as a branded product if it is that is because it is the piece of kit I needed

I have an old beat up Ainsworth C100 this great is for shallow rivers ect (and hacking at weeds).
Also a Sugar Island (under repair) and a Grey Owl tripper this is my preferred paddle as it knifes through the water lovely and also I can really put the power down with this one, however it just doesnt like rocks or shallow water ho hum never mind grab the plastic fantastic time.
also you may get pole snobbery too ali v carbon. I have an ali pole and I am quite happy to put ALL of my weight on it, ok its cold to the touch (not botherd to sheath it) but its ok for me.
Cheers
Tim

I've used the NC100 with a Carbon shaft(not worth the extra £ IMO) as my main WW paddle for the last 18 months and it has been soundly bashed around and stood up to it a treat.

C-WAV snobbery - perish the thought.

(15-04-09 06:31 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]also you may get pole snobbery too ali v carbon. I have an ali pole and I am quite happy to put ALL of my weight on it, ok its cold to the touch (not botherd to sheath it) but its ok for me.
Cheers

Pole snobbery, no one would be jelous of my pink monster would they

I use whatever i can get paddle wise got a second hand sugar island that i needed to re coat with a layer of epoxy a bent shaft and two mad river paddles all mine are different lengths not bothered about the weight i mean i'm sure if i can carry my canoe i can lift a paddle out of the water i knew a chap who raced opens and he showed me his carbon paddle that weighed 4oz!! i could break that with a good f*#t!!.
But yes definitely lots of gear snobbery out there.

(16-04-09 05:09 PM)Retro Wrote: [ -> ]

(15-04-09 06:31 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]also you may get pole snobbery too ali v carbon. I have an ali pole and I am quite happy to put ALL of my weight on it, ok its cold to the touch (not botherd to sheath it) but its ok for me.
Cheers

Pole snobbery, no one would be jelous of my pink monster would they

O er misses!

(15-04-09 06:58 PM)Pl@inum Wrote: [ -> ]I've used the NC100 with a Carbon shaft(not worth the extra £ IMO) as my main WW paddle for the last 18 months and it has been soundly bashed around and stood up to it a treat.

i can vouch for that
got the scars to prove it