Werner

Powerhouse Fiberglass 4-Piece Paddle - Straight Shaft

You are officially warned: the Werner Straight Shaft Powerhouse Fiberglass 4-Piece Paddle will last longer than four hours. Do not be alarmed, do not seek medical attention, but do keep working your paddling mojo along the rapids and through the chutes, at least until you do wear out. Most people feel instantly at home with a straight shaft in their hands, and the large blades give you the power to dominate a wet 'n wild ride on the Upper Ammonnoosuc or Poudre.

Despite your creeking tendencies, you don't prefer to mix pleasure with pain. Fiberglass construction feels sweet in your hands and goes easy on your body. Since it's light, stiff, and straight, you can grab the shaft anywhere and have a consistent and comfortable grip. The asymmetrical blades are bigger at the tip so you can dig in immediately, bear down, and get some power behind your stroke. Not only do you get a smooth entry, but the dihedral helps the water flow off the 112-square-inch blade, minimizing flutter.

While you're good with both hands, the Powerhouse profile is 30-degree feather, right-handed. Lefties might take a bit longer to find the sweet spot, but it won't be an all-day learning curve. While the angle of entry remains vertically oriented, the feathering lets your blade slice through the air horizontally to reduce wind resistance. Four-piece construction lets you break this stick down into something manageable, as not every mode of transportation can accommodate the full length. Four different lengths optimally mean no one has to stretch to accommodate the paddle; instead, everyone's first time with the Powerhouse is a perfect fit.