After paddling with a Gear Labs Kaleq for a couple years and loving every stroke, I'm back to a Euro blade thanks to Lendal Storm with cranked shaft. The increased power and lighter swing weight I found with the Storm changed the playing field. My Greenland paddle is adequate for solo trips on calm seas, but in a group or in winds 8+ knots the Storm is exceptional.
Solely because I don't paddle Greenland, and don't feel I have the level of expertise with that paddle type to talk about it with experience. Though I am toying with doing a video in the fall with another instructor to teach me to paddle with a greenland stick. Ive used gear labs other gear and know they make quality stuff. I have no doubt their paddles are sensational.
And honestly, it usually is for me. I got used to the 120º rule because so many organizations use it - but the two biggies I worked for (REI and NOLS) don’t use it. But I figured it would be a good discussion point for people to help drive engagement and it did.
Just want to weigh in, i don't usually comment (i am a relative newb...less than a year of paddling) but love your videos, love your candor and respect all your opinions (you and Joey Schott (sp)). I'm sorry that people give you shit over small things, but that is what people like to do. When i see a new video of yours posted, i can't wait to watch it right away. And here in the PNW, we say "Kuh-mai'-no" (Camano) with the accent on the "mai". Thanks so much for sharing all your good stuff with us! Much love!
thanks for watching and all your kind words. I'll be honest, when it comes time to shoot I can't remember how to say it. Like, during research for a video when I know its going to come up I double check how to say it, and then when there's a camera in front of me, the correct pronunciation disappears like the proverbial fart in the wind. love the paddle...cant say the name.
I was torn between Werner and Lendal but only Werner answered my e-mail. Can't really go wrong with either but one brand needs to up their customer service. I bought the Werner Cyprus! Mine is the bent shaft and I removed the drip rings and really don't notice much difference in wetness.
In fairness, I am trying to RETURN loaned paddles to them and I can’t get a response to emails! So…agreed (though I know they were in process of moving factory and not sure the status of that)
I could not convince my self to pay that much money for a paddle, so I bought an Aqua Bound that I like very much. I especially like the composite blade that is rugged enough so I don’t mind using it to push off rocks. I use it to paddle a solo canoe and coated the blades with a special product that prevents water from coating the blade so there are no drips (important for a canoe). Perhaps a high end paddle will be in my future.
I already own more than one paddle and didn’t really need more, but last year there was a Lendal sale for a while, and the Storm has a rather unique blade shape, so I just had to try one, glad I did. I see the same advantages of both brands that you do, really love Werner one-piece feel and the Cyprus and Kalliste are great designs. The Lendal Storm is supposed to be a high angle blade but doesn’t really feel like it, I think it’s smoother and doesn’t have to be paddled high-angle at all, to give you that little extra power when you are touring. I know Werner is a bigger company but they still have a great team and I like what they stand for - interesting they are moving to Tennessee now, hopefully their quality will continue (although it’s a little disheartening that the pacific NW is losing another paddle sports business, first Eddyline last year and now Werner).
I asked Lendal to send me a Storm and they wouldn’t because I am a low angle paddler! I was bummed. On the Werner front….I have some concerns. Im shooting a video in the next few days.
Hey Brett, neutral question here: how do the shaft textures compare? My personal preference for paddling all day with no gloves is a shaft (round for me, but not important here) where the gelcoat is super smooth, so that you can't feel any sense of the carbon weave below it. Would have been nice to have had a camera zoom in on both shafts to compare, but your sage smoothness comparison of the pair in the comments will do the job. ps have you tried the Werner without drip rings?
Haven’t tried the Werner without drip rings, but have no doubt I would get wet hands. For the simple reason I have paddled with the drip rings in the wrong place and I get wet. They are both pretty smooth, but the Lendal is a hair smoother. I posted pics on my instagram (though they look about the same.)
For myself I focus mainly the water temperature when deciding between dry and wet suit and I also factor in my experience level. If I was somewhat certain of nailing my self rescue on the first try in any waves I encounter on a day, then a dry suit might not be as important, but if you're relatively new to paddling and have some wobbles now and then the dry suit can give you an extra couple of tries without getting too cold.
In such conditions, I go for a wetsuit (supplemented with layers of wool and/or a windbreaker) with the understanding that I'm going for a swim at the boat launch. After that, I regulate my temperature by dipping my arms in the water or even going for another swim.
I have large hands and I heard Werner shafts have a larger diameter, is that worth considering? I do like the idea of the Lendal shaft shape though. I would want some form of protection in 50 degree water since it doesnt really matter what temperature the air is when you are in the water and losing all your fine motor control. One potential option in between wetsuit and dryauit would be a farmer john wetsuit with splash/semi dry/dry top, that may or may not alleviate the comfort issues of the wetsuit. I would be interested in that greenland paddle video you were talking about in the other comments.
I have the Werner’s in the “standard” size. They also offer a small. I didn’t break out the calipers….because I don’t own any, But it feels the same size as the Lendal. On the water/air temp thing…it doesn’t matter what the air temp is when you are in the water, losing fine motor control….BUT it does make a difference if you are overheated, which made you dizzy and that was why you ended up in the water.
someone else asked about this, I don't use them because the times I have tested them out, they didn't really sing to me, I prefer the bigger bite of a euro blade. And then this is what I told the other person about doing a video about them -> Solely because I don't paddle Greenland, and don't feel I have the level of expertise with that paddle type to talk about it with experience. Though I am toying with doing a video in the fall with another instructor to teach me to paddle with a greenland stick. Ive used gear labs other gear and know they make quality stuff. I have no doubt their paddles are sensational.
@@AdventureOtaku funny how that works. I switched from a aqua bound carbon paddle to a wooden Greenland (so not as light as a carbon version, but cheaper) and after a day or so of getting used to it, I can’t go back :) I did try and use the aqua bound now and than, but after a few kilometers i switched back to Greenland. It feels so much more relaxed and lighter to me without really losing cruising speed
You’re gonna laugh. Primarily I attach the grab loop from my spray skirt to it, so when I am walking around, getting in and out of the boat it isn’t hanging low and banging into my legs. I have from time to time used it to quickly connect my boat to another. But it is really for the first reason.
I have been looking at getting a second paddle, As I have mentioned before I have the Original Lendal that was made in Scotland and I absolutely love it. I have used other paddles at the Club when I have forgotten mine. We have Aquabound, Palm and Werner paddles that are club style paddles. Most I don't like for some reason. The Werner is the best of them. So I have been looking at Werner and what is the nearest to my Lendal as they basically the same is Celtic by Nigel Denis that is linked to the Lendal Paddle you are currently using. One of the big pulls is I can get the same style of paddle as I already have and the other is they are made here, so not having to have it come from over 3,000 plus miles away. I would need to contact them to get a paddle made to match my current paddle, but without the variable length as I just don't use that feature of my paddle. I would keep the variable feather as I can set it from 0 to 90 degrees. not that I ever have, but as you have often said it is handy when dealing with wind to be able to adjust the feather to reduce the sail affect. I would just need to use an Allen key to make adjustments, then nip it up once set. Not as easy as a Lever that they also do, I am not keen on having the bulge in the center of my paddle for the lever lock or their vari lock that only has three positions to choose feather from. I did like the idea of going down the Greenland Paddle route, but after using a Club paddle and not being very comfortable with a straight shaft after getting used to the bent shaft paddle I have think I will be sticking to what is comfortable for me. Off topic from the video. I tried my new seating set up last week and and my legs did not go numb or even a hint of starting to get to sleep. So with the combination of moving my seat back 10 mm or so and moving my thigh grips back and raising my seat on the ratchet seemed to do the trick. Need to paddle more than 4 miles to truly test it. but a promising start. The only issue I did have was my right hip did become quite sore. That could be just one of those things as it has done so when driving my car. I am still waiting to speak to Rheumatology about the results of my hip X Rays I had done in March. I know I have signs of wear from what my Doctor's receptionist said when I asked as it was on my notes, but not what if anything was to be done about it yet. The hip pain could be down to simply not wearing my orthotic as the ones I have left or nine years old and stuck in to my walking boot and a normal boot I can't wear them with trainers as it is really uncomfortable having my foot so far out of the shoe. I may not have noticed the the Paddle last week, but I have seen the skin damage on your nose over a few videos, but you never like to say anything as it could be something as simple as you had a nick or a spot. I did notice what looked like small plaster just under the rim of your glasses. Hopefully it is something that can be sorted without too much fuss. As I have seen what treatment can do. with my Elderly Neighbour and my Sister. Both are thankfully doing well and have responded well to treatment. So finger and toes and half paddle shafts crossed that you have a very good outcome. Very interesting Video as ever Brett.
@@AdventureOtaku I haven't see them in the flesh, but on a few videos on RU-vid, I would hope that they would be very similar, As until fairly recently you could still see the odd Lendal PDF on a website and it was very close to what information you now get on the Celtic PDF you get to see now. the Vari Paddlok on the Celtic fairly close to the Paddlok on my Lendal. The changes that Celtic has made is the locking points on the length adjustment is now holes against slots where you adjust length and feather. which would mean you no longer have to use the key to change length if you chose not to lock it in.. The biggest difference with be the blade construction I will be going for. As my current paddle is SF Short Fibre Polymer, and I will be looking at either their Carbon or Carbon Kevlar. As from what I can see the straight shaft version it would work out to be $478.75. So I will have a bit of saving up to do. As I only get a limited amount of pocket money per month to spend as I choose. Unless I have managed to shift a couple of Air Rifles though a gun shop. The only thing I have bought from them so far is a new Paddle key as I forgot mine once and thought it best to have two, the new one is in my sweetie box hatch cord. The New one has Celtic on the Paddle blade, yet they Picture they have for it as a spare is the old Lendal one.
Thanks for another great video Brett. I for one, value & appreciate your opinion because it comes from experience. Question though. You mentioned that the minor con against the Werner was lack of "infinite adjustability". Was that a concern of yours before you started using the Lendal? And... How often do you adjust your paddle? Does it vary that often?
This is a great question. The lack of infinite adjustability was not a concern before, but it is super nice to have that option. I do adjust paddle feather from flat to actually a fairly extreme 60 degrees (on the Werner) or whatever feels right (on the Lendal) when paddling into a headwind so the blade that is in the air, can slice through the wind instead of getting pushed by the wind. I need to stress, a lot of instructors disagree with doing this. They say pick one (feathered or unfeathered) and go with it, because of the concern of the blade being in the wrong orientation when you go to brace. This has never happened to me, but I stress when I discuss with students it is a decision you have to make for yourself. I am pretty sure the instructors who have chastised me for it (in person, not here) were ACA instructors of pretty high cert level. I prefer a more fluid use of skills - as I mentioned in the "rethinking everything" video a couple of weeks ago.
I have a Werner corryvreckan, its ok, my Celtic omgea is better. You can swap the blades or shaft out depending on the water with the omgea. I feel if your new to kayaking there better due to there module design. Damage a blade and you can just order a new one, not a new paddle. Lendal and Werner were part of the same company for a while. I'm not sure if they still are. When I look on Celtic's web site they don't sell Lendal paddles anymore and when I try to access Lendal in the UK, I need to use a vpn. I did notice the level lock system on the Lendal is the same one used on my VE aircore Explorer. Werner and Lendal seem to be moving to air core blades. There an price issue with both Werner and Lendal here. There 30% more to buy here due to the import taxes. Its why I stick to the UK brands. If your going to spend £400 on paddle, get one that's sells for £400, not one that sells for a 1/3 less in America.
I am not aware that Lendal and Werner were ever part of the same company? I would love to see details on this. Werner is privately owned and always has been as far as I know. Lendal UK and Lendal NA are two different companies (I know details on this because I asked the owner when I worked with him to get my paddles.) Lendal NA (North America) bought the name Lendal from Lendal UK but none of the designs. The next time I am in the UK I should buy a Celtic paddle.... that would be interesting.
@@AdventureOtaku Nigel Dennis brought Lendal round 2010/11. The paddles were sold on celics web site here. They were made both in the USA and the UK. The America one's had a bad reputation for the shafts snaping. (You can read this on most kayak forums in the UK. ) It looks like they have spit the company into Europe and America selling Lendal in north America only and Celtic in Europe.
@@AdventureOtaku I think we're all going to see more of this. The founders of these company's are getting older and starting to retire. Cheap carbon paddles from China are having an impact too. There selling for around £75-£150.
Werner, because that`s what they`re selling here, ;-). I was out today, under near the same cicumstances wheather wise, with drysuite and almost killed my self 😂. But as a Greenhorn i have to learn, sometimes the hot and hard way.🥸. Thank`s for your effort in making videos and sharing your opinions, i appreciate it very much. Greets from switzerland. And all the best to you and your health.
Love the snarky comment about pissing people off🤣. About to drop a video next week and get that fun stuff started again. Lendal vs Werner, can’t go wrong either way is spot on. If you can try it and it feels right, that’s the right piece of gear for you. If you need validation for your purchase, that qualifies as a “you problem”. 😅
totally agree on the validation thing, but that is all that goes on, over on Facebook. Which is why I don't go there anymore. (and that wasn't snark, it was fear!)
Footwear could make a good topic if you ever feel like talking about it. I went from sandals to neoprene booties to finally feeling like I'm probably okay with some water shoes from Astral, but along the way it just felt like I was stumbling around because all the recommendations I could find would just be for one type of shoe or another without really going into the differences between types and what works when
That water is cold enough that I would have gone with a dry suit. Definitely would have clothing in a dry bag I could change into if I did go in unexpectedly. But, there is no better feeling than the first spring paddle without one!
The blades on your Werner indicate that they are not Werner's top stuff, apparently. My Athena paddles don't have that big rib and skinny blades like yours do. My Athena has a cored blade that has depth and great buoyancy.
Just getting into kayaking and all in all your channel has been my go-to. Loving the wealth of knowledge and its very entertaing. Keep up the good work 👍
I’m going on a 8-day paddle off NE Vancouver Island this summer, and I’ll rent a boat from an outfitter but I’d REALLY like to bring my paddle. Carbon shaft, glass blades and just right for me. Probably bring my “familiar” camping gear too. Question is… what do you do to fly with a 2-piece paddle ? Kind of longish and I’ve watched airport staff loading your stuff. TIA Brett, and keep up the great work !
Ive paddled Port Hardy to Bella Bella, its beautiful up there. this is how I fly with a paddle. I wrap it in bubble wrap (or sometimes soft gear like my spray skirt and such) and put it in a long skinny box. I actually have the perfect box that I store when I don’t need it. I also put an apple air tag (or similar) in the box. Have fun!
I saw recent video about the cost of flying with a 2-piece paddle. Apparently, not consistent across airports, some will not allow longer items at all, other locations charge as much as $60. For this purpose, seems like a 4-piece is an option, small and short enough to get in a duffle bag. A 4-piece Werner Camano (fiberglass blade, carbon shaft) breaks down to about 30-32” long, small and short enough to get in a duffle bag. Aquabound Tango also available in same configuration. Hope this helps.
@@barry4fish19 this has not been my experience. I don't doubt that the wrong person at the airport could make your life a nightmare. Ive probably flown with a paddle a dozen times? give or take. Just goes as checked baggage.
@@AdventureOtakuThat’s great you had good experiences, Red Kayak Lady says TSA staff at the Reno, NV airport told her kayak paddles were a prohibited item, other airports have charged extra for an oversized item - up to $60 and at that price, if a person flew frequently, they would pay for another paddle quickly. Seems silly for this to be inconsistent, I thought TSA would be more standard than that!
@@barry4fish19 I just realized the problem, we are mis-communicating. You can absolutely NOT bring a paddle into the passenger compartment of a plane. I put mine in a box and it goes as checked baggage. which is why I include an AirTag just in case. Conceivably, a 48 inch long paddle box could get you charged with an oversize luggage fee, but I have never had that happen. (I think it is total dimensions of the box.... I just checked for delta it is 62 total inches. But people check SUP's as baggage. paddle is no issue.
AT all day! I actually wanted a double-diamond, but unfortunately nobody would give me a Werner, and they were prohibitively expensive here - even the local dealer just had a Player.
I like the distinction you make between the two, and the acknowledgement that you can't really go wrong with either. Since I have always set a pretty stringent budget, I have purchased much of my gear used. In the used market, Werner is a more likely find, and if you are diligent in your search great deals can be found. I sure did.
I totally agree, it is far from a perfect system, and I am sure it arose for organizations dealing with safety/liability and insurance. I generally go by feel. Im not terribly risk averse in this area but a lot people are familiar with it so it was a good talking point.
Yeah, I think there are lots ways to make it work. Several people have suggested wetsuits/farmer johns etc. In general I don't like wet suits. But if they work for you.
I run into the warm air temps but cooler water temps here in NC usually in late Feb or early March. Typically at or below 55F is my water temp guideline for wearing the dry gear although paddle duration as well as will I be going father than 50yds from shore also factor in. Ultimately though it's a 100% judgement call as each individual is their own risk manager Sidebar @AdventureOtaku have you ever tried or had much time with a Greenland paddle? I tried one fairly early on in my paddling journey and converted to it. Just curious, thanks!
Ive tried them and haven’t really liked them. Though I am considering trying them again, in part because so many people have asked me in the comments of this video!
@@AdventureOtaku Very Cool!! If you get back to NC this year I have three Gram Kajak paddles (all 2-piece). You are welcome to spend some time with them.
Drysuit! (But I’m either whitewater or ocean paddling and never stay dry, and I get cold fairly easily). Now when it’s 85F and the water is STILL only 45F, that gets tougher!
A couple reason with the biggest being I don't find them comfortable. Ive tried a bunch of different ones (NOLS used to bring them into the backcountry on trips for students) but don't really find them comfortable. The other issue is a wet suit is designed to work by warming the water that is between you and the suit. So it works great in the water. But if it doesn't have water in it you are really just sitting in a rubber suit, and see reason 1.
I would buy you a high end paddle, but we are both already married! I will just love your videos instead. On a more serious note, my Werner bent shaft has ‘not round’ sections where I grip. Sort of almost round triangle that fits my hands nicely. I like it.
It’s a Kallista bent shaft carbon 220. I bought it 3-4 years ago. I don’t think the straight shaft has that, probably why you hadn’t noticed. Not super visible, but very feelable. I got bent because I have issues with my hands clamping up due to repetitive strain injury when I was young and foolish.
The Werner bent shaft carbon paddles do have a slightly different grip shape (cross-section) to them than the straight shaft carbon paddles. There is a rounded ridge along the front edge, whereas the straight shaft is more oval or egg-shaped.
