Werner Shuna paddle

[ZEBRA]

Werner Shuna

This is my first impression review of this paddle
First thing you notice is the total quality of this paddle it is
Everything we have come to expect from Werner in a paddle.
The fiber blades give a lot of power when using the paddle and the buoyant rib makes the paddle pop up on each stroke the blade would be ideally suited to high angle paddlers with an aggressive style of paddling



The blades are made from re-enforced fiber glass each blade has a buoyant strip along the backbone and a re-enforced leading edge to help stop any chipping



This particular paddle has a 2 piece carbon straight shaft which is very comfortable on the hands and very strong .



The clever scooped shape to the paddle blades ensures you get maximum water Resistance as you make your paddle stroke so this is a very powerful paddle yet it is very easy on the arms and shoulders when used this is partly because of the clever added buoyancy strip along the spine of each blade when you dip the blade in the water the buoyant strip pops the blade up to the surface after each stroke so you don’t have to physically pull the blade up through the water at the end of each stroke



The easy positive locking mechanism of th 2 half's of the shaft allow adjustment to any angle of the blades the small button release is easy to operate even with the coldest hands



This is a fantastic quality paddle made from the finest materials easy to use and look after it offers a lot of power to the user yet the paddle is very light to hold the easy grip and locking mechanism are simple to use and easy to maintain .
The retail of this paddle is £199.00
www.systemxkayak.co.uk/gear_detail.php?productID=121

[steve07]

nice bit of kit there terry

[kayakadventures]

Worth mentioning that it can be supplied in small diameter shaft for smaller hands.

We use them for smaller people and very impressed with quality. The only downside is that the blades can get damaged at the edges easily as they are thin. However, the light weight is the reason and they are still great paddles. Just ordered another today.

[THURSOMAN]

Terry, this paddle looks the absolute business!!!!
Nice review.

[mikebelluk]

I got one of these from Kayaks North West Runcorn. Only been out for half an hour using it but very happy with it.
I also have a Lendal Carbon Kinetic, and prefer the Werner. it feels more natural in the water compared to the Lendal which feels very stiff. The blade is a bit smaller, so a good swap if feeling tired or preferring an easier pace. Interestingly they are pretty much the same weight at 910gms. [bent shafts]

I mainly sea kayak, and earlier in the year I went on a forward paddling session with Nigel Dennis, who is one of the most respected sea kayakers in the world.
He has some viewpoints on paddle length and technique, and as a result my paddling became a lot stronger, he also said most people tend to use longer paddles than necessary, part of this being that the 'accepted' method of buying; ie length=reaching up and under curled fingertips is wrong.
Your torso length can be different to another persons when you are sitting down and this will affect the length of paddle used too, and as a result I changed to a 210 instead of 215cm paddle.
Long reply, but hope it may give some insight into my paddle choice.

[THURSOMAN]

Mike that's a great reply.
Seems a super paddle.'

Sure we'd all be interested in any pointers on paddle technique if you care to share them that is.

[mikebelluk]

Thanks T-Man!

There are some very good videos showing god paddling styles here:
www.pesdapress.com/Resources/c6/p21/Sea_Kayak_Handling_Video_Demonstrations/pages.html

Another couple of points about paddles that are too long; you will bury the face deeper and waste energy, or you will be paddling using wider [sweep] strokes, which will cause the boat to very slightly zigzag which you will try to compensate for by leaning, thereby a less efficient method. You can see this effect in the videos of high and low angle paddles in the link.

Paddles designed for low angle paddling and a more relaxed style [ie slower], have a different type of blade design, and this is why it is so important to try out as many types of paddle a possible till you find one that suits you best!

[THURSOMAN]

Mike that's a super link to some great demonstrations.
Watching someone demonstrating a stroke etc is so much better than reading or hearing about how it should be done.
Nice one
Thanks Mike.

[kerny]

Nice looking piece of kit there Terry.

[kerny]

Thanks for that link Mike, great viewing