Shuna Fiberglass vs. Ikelos Carbon

By Lynn from Redmond, WA Ranked #10 - Paddles June 18, 2008

I own a 205cm straight-shaft Shuna and my husband has a 210 bent-shaft Ikelos. Until this past week when I spent 4-7 hours each day on the water in Alaska, I had primarily used my Shuna and didn't much care for the Ikelos bent shaft. I liked the power it gave me, but had problems with my braces and strokes due to the design (bent). However, after my week in Alaska, I'm totally sold on the Ikelos. I was in a single, plastic, rotomold Necky Eskia kayak (16 ft) trying to keep up with three fiberglass, Skookumchuk kayaks. The Ikelos gave me the maximum power I needed to (almost) keep up with the rest of the group. The bent shaft saved my forearms from certain doom. Last year I did a similar trip with a huge 230cm aquabound plastic/metal paddle. Never again. The Shuna is a great entry level paddle, but I'll take the Ikelos over it any day. I also tried a friend's 220cm bent shaft Werner Athenos. The Athenoswas easier on my shoulders (I'm 5'2" and 122 lbs), but it didn't kick butt like the Ikelos. The only thing that would have been nicer is a smaller shaft diameter (I wear a size XS or S paddling glove).

View Details: Werner Ikelos 2 Piece Paddle - Carbon Blades/Neutral Bent Carbon Shaft

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