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Bring a spare paddle... or not?

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Tomcat

02/07/2019 11:13AM

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walllee

02/07/2019 11:52AM

I would not consider tripping without a spare. There are just too many things that can go wrong out there. Although I have never had a problem and needed a spare, I have heard horror stories of people who have.

My main paddle is a ZRE carbon. It has held up well. My “spare” is usually a Bending Branches Expedition. I use it when I’m paddling shallow rocky rivers and streams and filleting fish.

I take that back, I have had to use my spare several times when the paddle I use for trolling gets dropped in the lake after a strike from a fish.

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THEGrandRapids

02/07/2019 12:45PM

Some bring a straight shaft spare to back up their normal bent shaft. The straight spare is superior in certain situations. Others may be able to say exactly when straight shafts are superior. It's a backup that gets used on occasion.

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butthead

02/07/2019 12:49PM

While I do not consider either a spare, I take two paddles, one straight shaft with wider blade, the other a narrower 14 degree bent. I can do well with either.

Really two different tools, each backs up the other. I do use both at almost every canoeing session, straight for working at shore landing and launching or for lazy paddling and fishing, the bent for covering distance.

butthead

"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin

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nooneuno

02/07/2019 01:14PM

Most folks I know follow the recommendation of always bringing a spare, but perhaps the more apt question would be has anyone ever needed to use their spare as a matter of necessity?

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AmarilloJim

02/07/2019 01:17PM

I had never broken a paddle in 40 years of tripping until last Fall. Glad I had my spare.

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boonie

02/07/2019 03:02PM

It's not so much the probability of needing one as it is the consequences of not having one if you do. Enough people have posted about needing it, that I'll continue to take one. This is more of a concern for the soloist. I take a double blade and a single blade.

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pamonster

02/07/2019 05:23PM

I'm not sure what happened but I had my paddle flop out of the canoe once. I seriously have no ideal how. But we were fishing and it was probably bumped out when moving the tackle bag around or something like that. Didn't even hear it fall out. But I noticed it when it was about 15 yards behind us. I didn't have a spare but my buddy in the bow paddled me over to it.
People bring them to be prepared in case something happens to the other....obviously.
100% personal preference. Just like a chair, axe, saw, yadda yadda yadda

Sometimes I bring one, sometimes I don't, depends on the trip. If I'm lugging a 40+lb pack and double portaging sure I'll bring one. If I'm packing under 20lbs and single portaging or with at least 1 other person then I usually wont. Solo a spare makes sense to me, 20 miles in without a paddle would be annoying.

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OtherBob

02/07/2019 05:32PM

Used the spare twice:
Solo on the Granite River, launching in flowing water after a portage, dropped the main paddle and saw it head for Canada. I pulled the spare out from its harness along the side, launched the boat and recovered the main paddle.
Second occurrence, Pete notice the tip of his new Zaverel carbon paddle was getting shredded by rock gardens we were working through. He pulled out the spare Bending Branches wood paddle with Rockguard until we regained deep water.

On another occasion, we ran across a couple of young women waiting on the Alton to Beth portage. Their men were paddling back to Sawbill Outfitters in one canoe to replace the paddle they broke in the second canoe. Spare would have been handy.

OtherBob - lots of Bobs on this board

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andym

02/07/2019 06:05PM

There's a phrase about being up a creek without a paddle.... so we carry one. But we've made it worthwhile. Our original setup was we each had a nice, wood straight and a metal and plastic spare. We then traded the weight of that spare for two Zaveral carbon fiber bent shafts. Now we each have a light bent shaft for open water paddling and efficiency against headwinds. And we have a wood straight for rocky areas where we don't want to beat up the carbon fibers or twisty creeks where the straight paddles seem handy for tight turns. And sometimes I just feel like changing paddles for variety of how the paddling feels.

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mgraber

02/07/2019 06:08PM

I have broken one once, but not in wilderness. I was simply paddling hard in a straight line. I have also heard off 2 people that have had them blown out of camp in a wind storm. The most common is to simply drop them in the water. Better safe than sorry. The more people or Canoes going the less important it is for every boat to have one. Solo- critical, tandem- very good idea, more than one boat in group and as long as 1 boat has a spare it could be optional.

So many fish,so little time

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johndku

02/07/2019 07:25PM

We've tripped with both with tandem canoes and 3 person canoes.

With the tandem, we take a spare just in case, haven't had to use it yet. (though we have used it as a tent pole with a Nemo Bugout) With 3 people in the canoe, we take 3 paddles, no additional spare. If we somehow lose one, we're still in good shape.

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billconner

02/07/2019 08:31PM

When still outfitting our canoes, we picked brand new paddles from outfitter. Normal paddling, not 50 yards into Inlet Bay, paddle split. Glad we had a spare.

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Blatz

02/07/2019 09:04PM

You're a fool if you don't have a spare in a solo canoe.

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cyclones30

02/07/2019 09:13PM

I went one trip without a spare, trip partner stepped on handle of wooden one on last day at portage landing...snap. Finished with just me paddling, luckily didn't have far to go. Ever since, always a spare...at least one in the group. Not every boat needs one, we leave it bungied in the canoe so it's not in the way or extra item to carry on portages.

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Jackfish

Moderator

02/07/2019 09:38PM

boonie: "It's not so much the probability of needing one as it is the consequences of not having one if you do. "

What Boonie said.

Answer this question: You're miles from civilization and lose/break your paddle. (Yes, it can happen.) What will you paddle with - a birch log?

Bring a spare and tie it into your canoe with Bungee Dealee Bobs.

"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir

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jhb8426

02/07/2019 11:30PM

So when's the last time you drove your car w/o a spare?
I always has a spare tire in my car and a spare paddle in my canoe.

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A1t2o

02/08/2019 08:25AM

The most likely way for me to "lose" my paddle would be when fishing. Trolling along and you suddenly get a bite, I've dropped or knocked my paddle overboard once or twice. One of those things where you get focused on catching the fish, getting the net out, and the fish swimming under the canoe. Somewhere in that struggle I've ended up with my paddle in the water and either I grab the spare to move 10ft to get it or ask my buddy to maneuver me over there.

A spare just seems like common sense, like taking duct tape for repairs. If everything goes right, you won't need it but if you do you will be glad to have it.

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Minnesotian

02/08/2019 08:29AM

Jackfish: "
boonie: "It's not so much the probability of needing one as it is the consequences of not having one if you do. "

What Boonie said.

Answer this question: You're miles from civilization and lose/break your paddle. (Yes, it can happen.) What will you paddle with - a birch log?

Bring a spare and tie it into your canoe with Bungee Dealee Bobs. "

Yep, exactly.

There have been a couple people on this forum who have chimed in on previous threads about spare paddles, who have had to make their own paddle in the woods. They did it, got out with a bushcrafted paddle, but I believe they all carry spare paddles now.

There are so many different situations where your main paddle could be put out of action. One time as I was crossing Lac la Croix in some high winds, that wind was really trying to grab the paddle out of my hands. Imagine being in the middle of a lake, with big swells crashing over your bow, and being without a paddle because it snapped or slipped out your hands. How do you steer? Get to shore? You are at the complete mercy of the wind and waves at that point. Its those moments you bring a spare for.

Everyone assumes that if they snap or lose a paddle they can just pull to shore and craft one right then and there. Well, first you have to get to shore.

"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez

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GBTG

02/08/2019 09:09AM

Where do you keep the spare in a solo ( to keep it permantly attached)? I haven't in the past but will this year just wondering where you like to keep it.
Thanks,
Dave

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cowdoc

02/08/2019 09:54AM

GBTG: "Where do you keep the spare in a solo ( to keep it permantly attached)? I haven't in the past but will this year just wondering where you like to keep it.
Thanks,
Dave"

In my solo, the blade is wedged between thwart and foot brace bracket and handle is bungied to bottom of seat bracket with those rubber coated twisty ties.

"What could happen?"

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GBTG

02/08/2019 11:18AM

Perfect thanks cowdoc I 'll do like you and balance the rods with the paddle.
Thanks,
Dave

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TipsyPaddler

02/08/2019 11:33AM

GBTG: "Perfect thanks cowdoc I 'll do like you and balance the rods with the paddle.
Thanks,
Dave"

+1 helpful pics!

I love use of the pvc tubing in the bow to protect the ends of your rods as well.

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Guest Paddler

02/08/2019 12:02PM

I always carry a spare. Needed it once on a creek when my paddle got knocked out of my hands. I got it back shortly. If I didn't have a spare paddle it would have floated away to never be seen again. In Boundary Waters 10 years ago I needed spare paddle to use as crutches. Got injured and couldn't walk on leg. Two paddles took place of crutches. Glad I had spare paddle. Ended up being on crutches for a month after that trip.

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Jaywalker

02/08/2019 12:18PM

+ 1 to what Boonie said. I didn't carry one for a long time on solo trips, but realized I'd had some close calls with blades getting wedged in rocks so started bringing a second paddle - bent and straight - and like switching around.

Last summer on the Frost I did have a paddle finally partially break - the rock guard half came loose and was snagging weeds in the river and trees on portages, and felt funny paddling. Glad to have the other paddle.

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Flashback

02/08/2019 02:01PM

I always bring a spare paddle, just as I always carry more than one means of starting a fire, spare batteries for my head lamp, and some spare CCS cord.

All of the aforementioned seems like well reasoned decisions to me.

I have never lost or broken a paddle, but I have seen the result of others breaking or losing theirs, and not having a spare with them.
I typically go out of my way to be self sufficient, and avoid unnecessary hassles.

BOB

P.S. The spare paddle issue always brings to my mind people who say,
"I never wear a pfd: I can swim, and I've never dumped a canoe".

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treehorn

02/08/2019 02:16PM

The amount of people & canoes in your group correlates negatively with the necessity of a spare paddle.

If I'm alone, I have one....when I'm with 6, we don't.

Those plastic bladed, metal handled paddles are virtually indestructible. Not sure what you'd have to do to destroy one. Losing one is a different story I guess.....

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timatkn

02/08/2019 02:37PM

Never needed one never brought one...I bring only what I will use and if anything breaks I feel like I can repair or make due without it. That is part of the adventure for me though.

With that said I now bring my sons and if a paddle broke we would be fine, 4 paddles in one canoe 2 could break on a trip before I’d have to scramble or repair. That’s sort of like having spares I guess.

T

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bwcasolo

02/08/2019 04:00PM

Tomcat: "For those who take a spare paddle, what is your reasoning?

I never take a spare paddle to the BWCA because I have no reasonable fear of breaking or losing my paddle and it serves my paddling style well.

I still use a 29 year old paddle but have considered a new carbon fiber paddle. Any opinions on the strength of the new carbon fiber paddles? Anyone break one on flat water?

Thanks, John"

an extra paddle bungee's out of the way, s@*t happens.

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DrBobDerrig

02/08/2019 04:49PM

After the first broken or lost paddle you will bring a spare.
Or bring duct tape...better a spare

dr bob

Dr Bob

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Podunk

02/08/2019 06:06PM

Doing a local solo day trip down the river. Came around a bend and hit a sweeper, dumped everything. Got to shore got everything but my shirt and paddle back. Used a 8 ft piece of deadwood as a kayak type paddle, worked quite well. Found paddle about a mile downstream in a eddy, never did find my shirt. Finally got to takeout burnt like a lobster due to no shirt. Always carry a spare paddle now strapped inside canoe. Better to have it and not need it than the alternitive. Always carry a spare.

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fadersup

02/08/2019 07:21PM

Tomcat, have you picked out a spare yet?

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ozarkpaddler

02/08/2019 09:44PM

Blatz: "You're a fool if you don't have a spare in a solo canoe."

Strong words but I concur. In 40+ years of paddling I've only broken a paddle twice. Both times it was a PIA. Duct taping a paddle does NOT work very well! Can't imagine going on a DAY trip without a spare, but the BWCAW/Quetico? Sorry, that's insane.

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain

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AtwaterGA

02/09/2019 09:48AM

We were on the first day of a 7 day Quetico trip when a new Ottertail paddle split. I was glad to have a spare. On another trip down a whitewater river we were paddling with a couple in another canoe. Their canoe was swept into a wasp nest over the river. One of them was fighting off wasps and dropped a paddle and it was lost. They used our spare paddle and made the rest of the trip. On very simple non whitewater day trips, I don't usually take a spare paddle.

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Swampturtle

02/09/2019 10:04AM

THEGrandRapids: "Some bring a straight shaft spare to back up their normal bent shaft. The straight spare is superior in certain situations. Others may be able to say exactly when straight shafts are superior. It's a backup that gets used on occasion."

Yes, this.
Murphy's law says to bring a spare.

It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. -Confucius

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THEGrandRapids

02/09/2019 10:33AM

Podunk: "Doing a local solo day trip down the river. Came around a bend and hit a sweeper, dumped everything. Got to shore got everything but my shirt and paddle back. Used a 8 ft piece of deadwood as a kayak type paddle, worked quite well. Found paddle about a mile downstream in a eddy, never did find my shirt. Finally got to takeout burnt like a lobster due to no shirt. Always carry a spare paddle now strapped inside canoe. Better to have it and not need it than the alternitive. Always carry a spare."

I"m not sure why this cracks me up so much. How'd you lose the shirt? Do you now bring a spare shirt?! I'm assuming it was already off.... but laughing because sometimes you get into an intense situation and don't realize what just happened.

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Tomcat

02/09/2019 10:54AM

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Blatz

02/09/2019 12:35PM

Going up stream near the shore I've had a paddle get wedged into a submerged tree branch and removed from my hands. Without a spare paddle what would you do? It's actually dangerous to not have a spare in a solo. I've paddled in the middle of a lake in the BW and my paddle has hit a submerged rock. You can lose your paddle anywhere. Sure it's not likely but either is a flat tire now days. That's why you carry a spare tire.

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bobbernumber3

02/09/2019 12:48PM

Tomcat: "For those who take a spare paddle, what is your reasoning? "

I quit bringing a spare paddle, so I am not allowed to give you my reason. And I will not force my opinion on you or insult you... just trying to be helpful and appreciated. (Hope you have a sense of humor 'bout this.)

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LindenTree

02/09/2019 01:37PM

I returned from my first real solo deep in the BW and never gave a spare paddle any thought.
When I got home my wife asked me what I would have done if I broke my paddle?

I've always carried two paddles ever since.

May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.

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joetrain

02/09/2019 02:01PM

Always carry a spare. Once in a gust of wind my paddle blew off my lap. I was drifting and casting and the wind suddenly gusted and off she flew. Used my spare to chase it down.

Another time I encountered some people who were just starting their trip and were about 5 hours from the entry point. They had broken one of their paddles and didn’t have a spare. I was on my way out so I gave them mine.

So yeah, carry a spare.
~JOE~

a dio sia la gloria

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Podunk

02/09/2019 05:43PM

THEGrandRapids: "
Podunk: "Doing a local solo day trip down the river. Came around a bend and hit a sweeper, dumped everything. Got to shore got everything but my shirt and paddle back. Used a 8 ft piece of deadwood as a kayak type paddle, worked quite well. Found paddle about a mile downstream in a eddy, never did find my shirt. Finally got to takeout burnt like a lobster due to no shirt. Always carry a spare paddle now strapped inside canoe. Better to have it and not need it than the alternitive. Always carry a spare."

I"m not sure why this cracks me up so much. How'd you lose the shirt? Do you now bring a spare shirt?! I'm assuming it was already off.... but laughing because sometimes you get into an intense situation and don't realize what just happened."

yea had my shirt off, nice hot summer July day. Took about 4 hrs to get to the takeout after dumping. Dont take a spare just keep my shirt on now

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Podunk

02/09/2019 05:51PM

Spare shirt that is, always have spare paddle when soloing

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deepdish71

02/09/2019 10:29PM

We bring a two piece carbon kayak paddle for a spare in our tandem canoe. And gorilla tape for repairs.

You've got to be shitty to get better- Rollie Hortense (hockey coach in the movie Goon)

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HayRiverDrifter

02/09/2019 10:47PM

When paddling solo, I bring a spare. When in a group, I bring one spare for the whole group.

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NotSoFast

02/10/2019 07:46AM

nooneuno: "Most folks I know follow the recommendation of always bringing a spare, but perhaps the more apt question would be has anyone ever needed to use their spare as a matter of necessity?"

Many solo trips, one broken paddle. Could have made it to shore. Probably would have been able to rig a repair. Maybe the repair would have held up. So much easier and less worrying to pull the spare out of its bungees and keep on paddling.

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BuckFlicks

02/11/2019 04:48PM

Only time I've ever had a "without a paddle" situation, was on a church youth group trip down a fairly tame TX river, when my partner lost his paddle. We took turns... in the back, paddle. In the front, propel with the bleach bottle top/handle bailer that was tied to the thwart. That was a long day. Fortunately, our outfitter gave us another paddle for the 2nd day. Coincidentally, that was the only time I've ever been in a canoe without a spare paddle.

To quote Woodrow F. Call: Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

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andym

02/11/2019 10:49PM

I’ve never needed our spare myself but did once protect someone’s life with it. We were on a river day trip. It was just class 2 but with a pretty decent current in narrow spots. We were using our wood straights and had the outfitters spare along with us. We came across a swamped canoe, helped them empty it and then he said that his paddle, from the same outfitter, was stuck in a downed tree on the other side of the river and he was going to go swim over and get it. I explained why we call such trees strainers and gave him our spare and told him to explain to the outfitter at the pickup. I was glad to be there and keep him from trying to swim into that strainer.

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nctry

02/12/2019 05:54AM

A past member once in woodland caribou lost a paddle and broke one. He tried everything and finally pushed his SPOT come and get me button.

Nctry

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Flashback

02/12/2019 12:51PM

A good paddling buddy and I were doing a 75 miler on the Buffalo river in Arkansas. Came upon two guys in a rental canoe who had broken the blades off their canoe rental paddles. How? Slapping the paddle blades on the water. How do I know that? I'd watched them doing so, on multiple occasions.

We start to pass them. They are making little progress; pushing off the bottom with paddle shafts, or lining the canoe.

One of them hails us, "Can you help us"?
I retort, "How can we help you"?
One dummy says, "Both of our paddles got broken".
I retort, "Yeah! I saw how you broke them, slapping the blades on the water"!
He asks, "How far is the next takeout"?
I retort, "About 7 miles"!
Second dummy asks, "Could you loan us a paddle"?
My buddy retorts, "No, you'd just break it too".
He asks, "What are we going to do"?
I retort, "Suffer!!!!!"

We paddled on downstream & left them.

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GraniteCliffs

02/12/2019 07:13PM

I always bring a spare. Nearly 50 years of paddling. Cracked a handle on one paddle but tape fixed it up just fine. No other issues in hundreds of trips. Makes me wonder why I carry a spare. But, of course, as soon as I don't I will break one in three pieces.

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sylvesterii

02/13/2019 12:55PM

A Bending Branches Twig lashed to the canoe with Bungee Dealee Bobs is a really easy way to always have a spare that doesn't weigh much or really get in the way.

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OldFingers57

02/17/2019 02:47PM

We always take a spare paddle along. you never know what may happen.

"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday.” ~A.A. Milne

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shock

02/18/2019 09:09PM

never did a solo trip but if i did i would bring a spare but in a group of four or more , i wouldn't.

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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Jackfish

Moderator

02/18/2019 11:26PM

shock: "...but in a group of four or more, I wouldn't. "

I’m curious... why not? Two canoes and four paddlers. One breaks his paddle. Now you still have two canoes, still have four paddlers, but you only have three paddles. You’re two days away from the takeout spot and the person who broke their paddle is your canoe partner. Answer the question now - want to carry an extra paddle for the group or do you want to find a log and start a woodworking project in the middle of the wilderness?

"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir

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boonie

02/19/2019 06:24AM

I always wonder the same thing, Jackfish. And what if you're in the middle of a big, windy lake when it happens. Personally, I'd want a spare paddle in my canoe even if the other canoe had one too, in case we were separated.

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ozarkpaddler

02/19/2019 08:20AM

Jackfish: "
shock: "...but in a group of four or more, I wouldn't. "

I’m curious... why not? Two canoes and four paddlers. One breaks his paddle. Now you still have two canoes, still have four paddlers, but you only have three paddles. You’re two days away from the takeout spot and the person who broke their paddle is your canoe partner. Answer the question now - want to carry an extra paddle for the group or do you want to find a log and start a woodworking project in the middle of the wilderness?"

Indeed, what is the big hassle in carrying an extra paddle? Kinda like wearing a seat belt, you may never need it. But it's so damn easy to do, WHY NOT?

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain

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carmike

02/20/2019 09:50PM

One time, with a member on this forum (Arctic) somewhat present, I was paddling gently along near Louisa Falls and had a Bending Branches snap clean in half. No warning, no prior damage (that I know of), no nothing...Just one piece of wood suddenly becoming two. I did NOT have a spare with that trip, and luckily a group nearby had some Gorilla Tape, which worked to bring the twain together again.

The next year, we had a canoe capsize in our group. Canoe paddle lost (to us) forever, in spite of extensive search and recovery efforts. Thankfully, I had a spare along. Lesson had been learned.

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THEGrandRapids

02/21/2019 10:49AM

as the number of people in a group increase- the divided paddle weight goes down! Extra paddle for a group of 9 is like everyone throwing in a pack of cards.

I would say it's definitively overkill for a group of 9 to bring 9 packs of cards- but that is a different consideration...

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boonie

02/21/2019 11:40AM

I don't think anyone has suggested a spare paddle for each person . . . ;)

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egknuti

02/21/2019 12:31PM

I definitely bring a spare paddle. A few times my paddle has slid off my lap as I was reaching for my rod. With a little bit of wind, the paddle was out of reach. Thank god for my spare.

Those of you that cross country ski. Do you bring an extra ski pole? For the second year in a row I broke one of my ski poles while out in the woods. I was able to get back but it was a little challenging.

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jcavenagh

02/21/2019 02:10PM

Always.
And at least 3 ways to start a fire.

LNT - The road to success is always under construction. http://hikingillinois.blogspot.com/

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boonie

02/21/2019 08:51PM

And 3 pairs of socks, too. :)

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Blatz

02/21/2019 08:56PM

egknuti: "Those of you who cross country ski... do you bring an extra ski pole? For the second year in a row I broke one of my ski poles while out in the woods. I was able to get back, but it was a little challenging. "

No, I don't, but you can still ski. Most of your power comes from your legs and weight shifting and you can still move especially with one pole to help. If you're in a solo and lose or break your paddle, you can't move.

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egknuti

02/22/2019 07:55AM

Blatz: "
egknuti: "Those of you who cross country ski... do you bring an extra ski pole? For the second year in a row I broke one of my ski poles while out in the woods. I was able to get back, but it was a little challenging. "

No, I don't, but you can still ski. Most of your power comes from your legs and weight shifting and you can still move especially with one pole to help. If you're in a solo and lose or break your paddle, you can't move."

Yes, you can still ski but going up hills is a little more challenging. Not a problem if traveling on flat surfaces.

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Banksiana

02/22/2019 10:03AM

egknuti: "Yes, you can still ski but going up hills is a little more challenging. Not a problem if traveling on flat surfaces. "

Hills present a bit of a challenge but not much if you have decent technique. I often leave the poles behind for a loop or two (3-5km) to hone balance and technique. I really enjoy it, especially if conditions are fast.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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Bronco

02/22/2019 03:06PM

So a few trips back we put in at Mudro headed for a week up in Crooked. I swear my 14 year old broke his paddle two minutes into the trip. It was a rental and I'm guessing there was something wrong with the paddle from the get-go. Had we not had spares along, it would have been a trip back to town and a really pissed off dad. Had it happened up in the top of Crooked, it would have been a busted trip or (as I think Jackfish mentioned) a wood working project.

I lash down a spare paddle in each canoe on the trip. They're light and take up no space when lashed in. TAKE ONE.

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Mad_Angler

03/01/2019 12:43PM

If we have 3 paddlers in my SR18.5, I don't bring any spare paddles.

Otherwise, we always have at least one spare for the group. On trips with my wife, we bring 3 paddles: hers, my Bending Branches Cruiser, my Zaferel carbon. I alternate between my two paddles. (The Zaferel is really nice though...)

Fish where the fish are...

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LaVirginienne

08/03/2021 07:28PM

Always.

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4keys

08/04/2021 06:12AM

Always take a spare. Have not needed it yet.

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4keys

08/04/2021 06:16AM

egknuti: "I definitely bring a spare paddle. A few times my paddle has slid off my lap as I was reaching for my rod. With a little bit of wind, the paddle was out of reach. Thank god for my spare.

Those of you that cross country ski. Do you bring an extra ski pole? For the second year in a row I broke one of my ski poles while out in the woods. I was able to get back but it was a little challenging. "

Never thought about bringing an extra ski pole. I would probably walk the hills if need be. Seems like The older I get the worse I get at going down the hills.

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PeaceFrog

08/04/2021 08:30AM

I'll be damned if I would let something like a spare paddle be the factor of having a great trip or being caught with my pants down. My trips are too important for me to leave something behind that is so minor in the grand scheme but so impactful at the same time.

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straighthairedcurly

08/04/2021 11:33AM

I have always carried a spare paddle and my husband hates it. I have never needed it on a typical BWCA trip.

Our recent 2 week trip was the first time I decided to not bring one. Yes, I caved to pressure. We were fine this trip.

However, when we picked up our son from his 29 day trip, the first thing he showed us was his paddle snapped in 2 pieces. They had one spare on their trip of 6 people, but 2 people broke a paddle. They managed to cobble some repairs that lasted a brief time, and they had 2 days left to make it to a resupply. The last day, they decided to put 2 power house kids in the bow and then the broken paddles were just used to rudder while the bow person moved the canoe forward. That helped protect the "repaired" paddles.

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SinglePortage

08/04/2021 11:38AM

I bring an extra paddle on river trips, but never have on flat water trips. Been forty years without a hitch. But you've got me thinking. I frequently drink straight outta the lake, seldom hang my food and sit on my pfd more than wear it. Again, never had a problem. But on the other hand, I am the guy that is generally prepared for emergencies. I can't tell you how many times I have come up with that little thing that saved my or someone else's back side. Small repair items are easy to justify, but an extra paddle is a tougher sell for me. Trying to go as lite/simple as possible can be a tough habit to break.

This being said, I am going to start wearing my pfd, at least most of the time, and I'm gonna look for a used zre for a backup. St

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justpaddlin

08/04/2021 08:31PM

It's rare but every once in a while the paddle just seems to fly out of my hands. Happened twice this year and both times I was paddling upstream so the paddle is instantly 10 yards behind me and moving away. No problem if you have a spare. I also like to bring two of my favorite paddles just so I can switch for a change.

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SouthernKevlar

08/04/2021 10:43PM

Bring a couple of spares. That way if you run into someone who broke their only paddle, you can say "Ya know, paddles sure are expensive way out here..."

You never know until you find out.

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Grizzlyman

08/04/2021 10:50PM

nooneuno: "Most folks I know follow the recommendation of always bringing a spare, but perhaps the more apt question would be has anyone ever needed to use their spare as a matter of necessity?"

Yeah. We had some serious headwind and waves and the spare kept us from capsizing. We were on bearskin coming from Duncan. Only a .25 mile paddle around the point to the parking lot but the wind was screaming down bearskin. Paddled so hard with so much adrenaline to keep from turning in the wind and waves that i snapped it right in two. Wind was so precarious that I heard paddle crack, felt it go limp and didn’t even bother to look at the broken paddle. I just chucked it down and grabbed the spare and kept paddling!!!

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ZIMTLSA

08/07/2021 08:57AM

I don't bring a "spare" paddle but I do always bring two paddles with me on every outing. It does not matter if I am in a canoe or a kayak. Half an hour or a week. In the canoe I do often use both on each outing.

Semper Fi

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