I'm in the market for a strong, light weight, bent shaft paddle. I'm thinking along the lines of a carbon paddle or composite to save on weight. I don't have a price range. If it's the right paddle, I'm willing to buy it. I also know that some things are priced too high and may not be worth it.

For the money or any money, what would you recommend I look at?

I don't know anything about bent shaft paddles, I've always been a straight stick guy. I'll be using the paddle with a black lite Bell Magic.

I think you're going to get a lot of positive feedback here about ZRE paddles

AdamX

I would go with ZRE. They offer the most choices in length, weight, type of blade, and give good advice. Call them up and tell them what you will be paddling and they can help you get the best paddle for what you are doing. I really want one of their fancy new power curve paddles but my black rec one is going strong since 2001 and will probably outlive me.

We also have two "Blem" "Rec" model ZRE's. Bought the first in 2003 and second (for the wife) a year or two later. It's survived a lot and gets used weekly. Many of our friends have them and have had similar experiences.

ZRE Z Ultra Light here - love it. Bought it as a "blem" - no idea what about it was blemished though. Its weight is startling initially, but has proved to be very hearty.

J stroking is a little more difficult but doable. With the bent shafts I prefer to push the paddle out at the end of my stroke instead of pulling. Since the shaft is bent out anyway it really doesn't take much effort to redirect the bow.

Also have a Rec ZRE, bent, and love it...

A good paddle will make all the difference paddling. I paddle a magic as well for what it's worth, my two favorites are 1) a carbon wenonah blacklite that I bought for $100 (fleet used) from Piragis. (12oz). 2) a Carbon backed Gunflint Paddle from Sanborn Canoe. They hand made it to my spec and it is beautiful and strong. (15oz).

I bought my wife the Bending Branches Sunburst 11 bent shaft paddle. As you'll see by clicking the link, it's a combination of wood and carbon. Very nice paddle.

The price has come up a bit since we bought it a few years ago, but if you want to go light, it's a pretty nice option.

I have been happy with the wenonah carbon paddle. Lightweight and strong, no complaints.

carbon bent shaft

The combination material paddles are interesting. I haven't paddled them but the Bending Branches Sunburst feels odd in my hand. The shaft is so light in comparison to the blade that it feels unbalanced. The Gunflint from Sanborn feels nice to me. That's just out of the water, though. I have a Wenonah carbon/kevlar from Piragis, too. It is nice but still not my fav. But the used price at the end of the season is a great deal.

Cannot say enough about the ZRE. The two power surge lite paddles (8oz) that I bought four and five years ago are simply the best gear investment I've ever made. I also have two of the Wenonah carbon paddles. Go light- when you lift something as much as you move a paddle during the course of a trip ounces transform to tons over time.

I prefer traditional wood paddles. They display craftsmanship and beauty that kevlar,carbon, composites just don't have

ZRE owner here. Nice paddle. Once you use a carbon you are not likely to go back to wood. I have a couple of caveats for you to consider though. My ZRE is black and that grip and shaft actually get hot while paddling in the sun. I have to dunk it intermittently to cool it off. I have used the Wenonah Carbon but did not like the friction caused by the cross hatched shaft. Maybe they changed that by now or maybe you will like it. ZRE has a smooth shaft which I like. I have also seen a white ZRE prototype somewhere. Maybe they will make you one with a white grip.

quote AdamXChicago: "I think you're going to get a lot of positive feedback here about ZRE paddles


AdamX"

+1

quote bobbernumber3: "I prefer traditional wood paddles. They display craftsmanship and beauty that kevlar,carbon, composites just don't have
"

True. You see very few carbon fiber paddles mounted on the walls to decorate cabins.

Just kidding. I love wood paddles and always enjoy a few strokes with my wood straight now and then.

Another ZRE fan.

Thanks for all the great information. I guess AdamX was spot on, ZRE by far takes the lead. I have been searching online and keep running into ZRE paddles as a leader in the carbon segment. It appears they have been around a very long time.

I love wood as much as anyone and I value the craftsmanship in the design, laminations and finish they offer. My straight paddle is a beautiful Sanborn Gunflint. Nothing connects you to nature like paddling with a wood paddle, it's what I grew up on! The BB bent shaft/carbon hybrid is a really cool paddle and you get a little of both worlds. I admired the Northstar version of the hybrid paddle at Midwest Mtn last week too. I really like the look of both of those paddles. But, I think I'm going to shift my focus to an all carbon design and stick with that.

There was one mention of the Wenonah Carbon paddles. They are slightly cheaper than a ZRE. I saw those in person at Hoigaards a few months ago. They seem to be pretty much the same paddle as a ZRE. I know Wenonah is more of a canoe brand than a paddle brand which probably explains the difference in price. So, do they actually make these paddles themselves or outsource? Are they similar enough that the added cost savings is worthwhile or is the ZRE paddle worth every dime? It's not about the money, it's about buying one, really fantastic paddle. I know ZRE has just the right paddle for me but I want to make sure I don't miss out on another option before I place an order.

I'm leaning towards the ZRE Power Surge Xtreme. It's slightly heavier but made of more reinforcements. I tend to dig in pretty hard and sometimes I'll strike a rock unexpectedly. I'd hate to break off the paddle face on a nearly $300 dollar paddle

I have many wood paddles sitting in my garage not being used since I made the move to a carbon fiber paddle. I have 2. My personal favorite is my 11 oz Black Bart.

I'm curious who is making the Wenonah carbon fiber paddles and others from people who don't only make carbon fiber stuff. I think the big differences between Wenonah and ZRE are the sophistication of the higher end ZRE paddle blades, the ability to go super light, and the degree of customization. Wenonah gives you 1" steps in length (which isn't bad) but ZRE allows 0.25" choices, choice of blade angle, and choice of blade width. Of course, few of us may need that much specificity but if you call them up and discuss your paddling style and your canoe with them then they may have some very specific ideas.

Definitely go for a second. So far, I haven't heard of anyone who could figure out why their blade was a second. Other than that, the seconds are put together custom just like the full price paddles.

But, if you need the lower price, the Wenonah is still a nice paddle. And getting a used one from Piragis is even cheaper. It works best if you can go and pick one out (some of them are pretty beat up) but I had Steve there pick a good one out for me last January and he sent me a very nice one for probably about $120.

I don't really need to buy a custom paddle per se, not racing or anything where the exact paddle length etc would make a difference. But the option is still nice to have, especially if ZRE has some ideas on how to improve my performance with a custom option...I guess one never knows unless one asks.

I treated myself to a Black Lite Magic this year so I'd like to buy a paddle to match it.

Does anyone know if ZRE paddles are available locally in the Twin Cities? Otherwise, I'll be in the BWCA in a few weeks and might just order a paddle for that trip.

ZRE has made paddles for Wenonah in the past.

I would suggest to go as light as you can; an 8oz paddle is noticeably more joyous than a 12oz. I've had no problems with my ZRE (Power Surge Lite) and I use it a great deal- at least 4 weeks in the Quetico each year and miles and miles of day paddles in the B-dub and the area surrounding (When home I try and paddle nearly every day when weather permits). No issues in five years of heavy use.

I am a ZRE Fan too. Can't say enough about their bent shaft paddles. Light and strong.

I use it with my Bell Magic when soloing and with my MN II when tandem.

quote Ole496: "I don't really need to buy a custom paddle per se, not racing or anything where the exact paddle length etc would make a difference. But the option is still nice to have, especially if ZRE has some ideas on how to improve my performance with a custom option...I guess one never knows unless one asks.


I treated myself to a Black Lite Magic this year so I'd like to buy a paddle to match it.


Does anyone know if ZRE paddles are available locally in the Twin Cities? Otherwise, I'll be in the BWCA in a few weeks and might just order a paddle for that trip.
"

Not available in the Twin Cities. Ordered mine online. Getting one for my wife next year.

I just left Hoigaards in the cities. They carry the Wenonah brand Black Lite bent paddle. It was lighter than anything I've ever paddled and looked decent enough.

Their paddles are 20% off from $189 so it was hard to pass up on this paddle for the price. I paced the floor and thought about it for awhile, then broke down and made a decision.

I bought one and it should work for now. I'm not sure what blade size, angle and weight I would prefer in the long run. I'll experiment with this one for a year, then maybe order "the" paddle from ZRE for a once and done purchase. Either that or I'll pick something up at Canoecopia or the Outdoor Expo once I have a better idea of what I really want. This would be a great spare paddle or good for a bow paddler when I use my tandem. For the price I really couldn't walk away from it.

Solid decision. It's a good price and the extra knowledge will serve you well when you decide to go for a ZRE.