Kayakers

[FG1]

I know there are a couple of kayakers on here and I was wondering if anybody has any good info on where I can get a haslf decent paddle at a "competitive" price........

[G]

You could get a good second hand one from the for sale section of 'ukrgb'

type it into google and it will bring up the forum.

What type of paddling do you plan on doing as it will effect the type of paddle you want

[Luckypants]

Graeme is right. UKRGB is a good place to start, but a lot of the kit on there has been abused or is top end stuff....

It is a kayak paddle you want yeah? With two blades? not a canoe paddle with one blade?

and are you left or right handed? Even if you left handed, it is easier to 'make' yourself use a right handed paddle as it makes getting stuff and learning stuff a lot easier.

[Luckypants]

I do know someone selling some Robson paddles, RH 25 degree feather about 185 length.

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v203/163/20/722674912/n722674912_701825_523.jpg

Want me to find out how much? (probs over £100)

[G]

I have the exact same robson green for sale but without the crank shaft, figured they would be abit more than he was looking to spend

[Luckypants]

Me too, but the only ones I know of :rolleyes:

I'm looking for some new paddles myself, having broke my trusty Werners on the Nant Gwryd

[FG1]

I was thinking something along the lines of the top two on this page:
http://www.roho.co.uk/acatalog/Robin_Hood_WS_Carlisle_Paddles_427.html

A friend has the second one and I get on OK with it.

The type of paddling I will be doing is not yet determined. I picked up an as new Perception Madness (slightly too big for me) but I have only used it in the canal, local lake and regularly at the pool. I got a boat as I fancied another interest to go alongside my bike and kite buggying. My reasoning being that if it's wet and miserable then kayaking would be ok.

The bottom line is I am looking for something around 195-200 long, right handed and 45' feather. Max 100 squid..........

[andywilson460]

You could always go for the old bullet-proof Ainsworths.

I currently have a pair of Schlegal Work blades and I wrecked my last £250+ pair of carbon Gale blades surfing onto the shingles beaches of the South East. The Schlegals have done me proud for 18 months of instructing at weekends and messing about in big waves. --- BUT i still have a pair of Ainsworths as spares that are nearly 14 years old.

Carbon would be good if it's just river use, and if you have the money Werner are excellent blades, but it all depends on the depth of your pockets. Most of the 2nd hand blades I have seen are nearly wrecked.

[andywilson460]

Oh... I paddle a Riot Air for fun and an Wavesport Ace when instructing - but thinking about one of the new plastic Mega boats

[Luckypants]

For that sort of money get some Werner Rio's (http://www.paddleworks.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=517)

You get Werner warranty and they are pretty indestructible. (The ones I broke were 10 years old of proper WW use :D)

[Luckypants]

You could always go for the old bullet-proof Ainsworths.

I currently have a pair of Schlegal Work blades and I wrecked my last ?250+ pair of carbon Gale blades surfing onto the shingles beaches of the South East. .

Don't get the Ainsworths, they weigh more than the moon and Schlegal designs are stuck in the 80's.

[FG1]

Would you rate the Werner Rio better than the Carlisle carbon one at ?100 then ??

[Luckypants]

Hell yeah. IMHO Werner are best paddles on the market currently. The RIO is their basic paddle but still made to their standards. They have a good reputation and want to keep it.

My daughter has no paddle sponsor because she wants to use Werners, full stop. so she has turned down other manufacturers, she rates them that highly. good enough for her is good enough for me. My lad paddles with Robson because his boat sponsor imports them, so gets them on a deal. He has broken 3 this year.... he is a bit extreme though.

[Luckypants]

Ohhh and blatant plug time....

My kiddies are qualified coaches and offer training, so if you need any training check out http://www.flowfree.co.uk (http://www.flowfree.co.uk/)

There Dad done his bit :cool:

[G]

Didnt realise your daughter was Lowri, learn something new every day :cool:

[Luckypants]

LOL - I'm suprised you didn't realise, I'm always banging on about how great my kids are on here. :D You know her? The whole paddling community knows her it seems :D (oh and for the pervs, she is a famous paddler)

Taught her everything she knows, doncha know! :^o

Here She is on a local drop last Monday......

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v198/155/23/289200112/n289200112_479094_5519.jpg

[G]

Nope never twigged :D I know of and have met her a few times, and alot of people i know do know her very well through GB freestyle etc.

Good stuff :cool: boating is a very small world.

[Luckypants]

In the interests of balance, here is Jon......

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v181/207/112/511747934/n511747934_330836_7091.jpg

Think that is on the upper Mawddach

[malks]

who knew there were so many paddlers in one place!!

[Luckypants]

Yeah, cos I'm yet to see a boat and kit strapped on a bike! (although I did an Alps trip on a VFR750, boat (SPUD) went on a mates car :cool: )