So I just got my first canoe (Mad River Journey 167) as a belated birthday gift and I have been reading every post here on paddle selection. I finally settled on a Bending Branches Java 11° Bent Shaft for both my wife and I. This turned out to be no problem for my wife who is 5' tall but for my 6' 4" self, Bending Branches didn't appear to make any bent shaft paddles for my size. Disappointed in my neanderthal self, I called BB for advice and got some pretty amazing customer service. The gentlemen who answered the phone told me that they would be happy to make me a 56" bent shaft Java. It turns out that they don't put them on the shelves of stores because they're an uncommon size; however, because they understand that some of us have apelike characteristics, they are capable of making them custom order at no additional cost (to my best understanding). Overall, I was quite impressed with the rep's sympathy to my (and others I presume) situation. The lesson here would be that BB apparently has quite the accommodating business philosophy that really does cater to the customer.

+1 on great customer service at BB.

quote ayudell: "+1 on great customer service at BB.
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Good to hear! Always had good luck with their paddles and one of these days I'd like to replace my BB Viper with a longer one.