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| Werner
Paddles Touring Guide |
| Important
Things to Consider to Find the Right Fitting Paddle |
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What
Paddling Style Do You Have? |
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High Angle paddling is typically a more aggressive
style of paddling using a faster cadence and wider
variety of strokes. It is very dynamic and commonly
used for fitness paddling, playing in current, or
in rugged conditions where power is needed.
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Low Angle is the most common paddling style. It is a relaxed
touring style with a more relaxed cadence. Low Angle paddling
is less fatiguing on paddle days when long distances or multi
day trips are planned.
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What
Blade Size Fits You Best? |
Full
Size Blades are appropriate for larger well conditioned paddlers.
Full size models include the Ikelos, Corryvrecken. |
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Mid
Size Blades are most popular for the widest range of kayakers.
Mid size models include the Kalliste, Camano, Cypress, Shuna,
and Sport. |
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Smaller
blades reduce strain on joints and are appropriate for smaller
paddlers. Smaller blade models include the Athena, Little
Dipper, Cascadia, and Skagit. |
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Shaft
Size Does Matter!
Small or Standard Diameter?
The proper fit is key to allowing a paddler
to use a light grip to increase comfort and
reduce fatigue. |
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A
good fit will increase your comfort, enhance your performance,
and add to your paddling enjoyment — no matter
what your skill level! To determine what size is right
for you, feel both, or refer to our hand
sizing chart for guidance. |
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Shaft
Type? |
Straight
or Neutral Bent Shaft? There are benefits
to both so your preference may depend on which
benefits are most important to you. |
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Straight
Shaft
Paddlers are more familiar with straight shafts
and like the light weight and ability to move their hands
along a predictable, straight, and continuous grip area. Straight
shafts are typically less expensive.
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Neutral
Bent Shaft
Our Neutral Bent Shaft naturally aligns your
wrist to reduce stress on joints. The neutral alignment, unique
to Werner Paddles, creates a stable leverage point for bracing
and all types of paddle strokes. Special indexing allows more
hand contact with the shaft, reducing fatigue and increasing
comfort. |
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Material Choices
Werner Paddles uses high quality materials and superior
construction methods to create the best light weight to strength
ratio in each of our product lines. We carefully distribute weight
to produce well balanced paddles with a light swing weight. Swing
weight is the weight you feel each time you lift your blade during
a stroke. It is not the published weight, so pick up several paddles
from different manufacturers, imitate a few paddle strokes, and
compare the swing weights. The lighter swing weight will always
be greatly appreciated for reducing fatigue.
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Performance
Touring Line
Carbon
Weave material offers the lightest weight to strength ratio. |
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Premium
Touring Line Fiberglass
Weave material
offers the best combination of light weight, durability and
beauty. |
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Recreational
Touring
Blade
construction of carbon or fiberglass reinforced nylon creates
and excellent combination of performance and
great value. |
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Find the best
fit by locating your height and boat width on the chart below.
High Angle Paddling
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Low Angle Paddling
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If
you didn’t find yourself on the chart simply locate
the closest combination of paddler height and boat width listed.
Use this recommended paddle length as a starting point to
make adjustments from. Narrower boat or shorter paddlers should
subtract 5 cm for High Angle and 10cm for Low Angle or add
length for wider boats like tandems. Congratulations on choosing
a great fitting paddle! Get out and enjoy it. |
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