What paddle do you use?

I use a Lightning standard sea touring paddle. Very light weight! I like it a lot, although the only other paddle that I have used was a carbon fiber that was heavier than my Lightning. Lightning used to be made in Colton Or. in an old barn. They have sold out to a German company, and I think they are still being produced.

http://www.touringkayaks.com/lightning_paddles.htm

I paid $180 for mine direct from the factory(barn). They listed for $280 at the time. I even got my choice of blade and shaft colors.

Dave

SIMMER DOWN NOW!!!

I've just spent more time moderating this thread than I've spent moderating in the last year.

We could all use a paddling lesson.  Any of you guys affiliated with kayaking shops wanna offer up an NWKA special.  And bring the different styles of paddles so everyone can put 2 and 2 together.  Lot's of info here on this thread that is a hard to grasp without hands on experience.

-Allen

 I just use what ever cheep ass paddle they gave me when I bought my kayak. I don't know the name of it, its weak and I think it is a little to short, but it gets me to the fish (though with one fish out of 4 times out this year maybe I should rethink that last statement). It also works well to hold up the canopy window on my truck when Loading and unloading the yak or other large items.

 I guess I have yet to become a proper yak snob.......I will work on it though. 

I'd be happy to teach a class. February's pretty full for me, but if there's any interest in a March or April weekend, I'm happy to do it. I can bring a full grip of AT paddles, and probably round up some Werner & Bending Branches as well.

Brian

SIMMER DOWN NOW!!!

We could all use a paddling lesson.  Any of you guys affiliated with kayaking shops wanna offer up an NWKA special.  And bring the different styles of paddles so everyone can put 2 and 2 together.  Lot's of info here on this thread that is a hard to grasp without hands on experience.

-Allen

I'd be happy to teach a class. February's pretty full for me, but if there's any interest in a March or April weekend, I'm happy to do it. I can bring a full grip of AT paddles, and probably round up some Werner & Bending Branches as well.

Brian

Great! Thanks for the offer Brian. I think there's a lot of us out there that'd be really interested. Including some of us pedalers. If you need any help setting this up, let us know.

Z

This sounds like a great idea Brian.  Like Zee said, let us know how we can help.

well, let's see, it won't take much...

1. date - I'll throw out Sunday March 7. Of course that's subject to approval by the  boss lady tonight, but should work. If a different Sunday works better, I'm flexible on this.

2. place - I've got a great spot in Stevenson, but could swing into Portland if there's a good area. Flat with minimal/no current, and enough room to spread out and get some strokes in. Any suggestions?

3. paddles - I've got a good selection of AT paddles I'll bring, and should be able to get hold of some Bending Branches stuff very easily as well. If someone here has an affiliation with Werner paddles & can bring them, great, otherwise I can try to get hold of the rep. Carlisle and any other paddles would be great as well.

4. signup sheet - formal classes are usually a 4:1 ratio, but for an informal group like this, can probably do 6-8 as long as everyone can hear & see ok, and has a little patience. Can also break into groups, then cover stuff with one group while other practice, try new paddles, etc. Anyway, it'd be nice to have a head count so some idea of what to expect

5. beer. always good to have someone in charge of the beer.

well, let's see, it won't take much...

1. date - I'll throw out Sunday March 7. Of course that's subject to approval by the  boss lady tonight, but should work. If a different Sunday works better, I'm flexible on this.

2. place - I've got a great spot in Stevenson, but could swing into Portland if there's a good area. Flat with minimal/no current, and enough room to spread out and get some strokes in. Any suggestions?

3. paddles - I've got a good selection of AT paddles I'll bring, and should be able to get hold of some Bending Branches stuff very easily as well. If someone here has an affiliation with Werner paddles & can bring them, great, otherwise I can try to get hold of the rep. Carlisle and any other paddles would be great as well.

4. signup sheet - formal classes are usually a 4:1 ratio, but for an informal group like this, can probably do 6-8 as long as everyone can hear & see ok, and has a little patience. Can also break into groups, then cover stuff with one group while other practice, try new paddles, etc. Anyway, it'd be nice to have a head count so some idea of what to expect

5. beer. always good to have someone in charge of the beer.

Add me to the sign in sheet Brian. I'll bring your old green barge for nostalgia. 

Great thread! I learned that I "lucked out" and bought the right paddle!  I went through the "Werner paddle fit guide" jself linked to and <BINGO> it pointed to the exact paddle I purchased! 
My Ultimate 12 is 30" wide, I'm 6' 1/2" tall, over-the-hill and with worn down shoulders. I paddle anywhere from only 4 or 5 miles, to up to 15 or so miles on my estuary fishing excursions, so I bucked up and bought the best and lightest paddle I couldn't afford, a 240 cm Werner Camano straight shaft.
I have no experience with other decent paddles, so I can't offer up any comparisons. But I really like it and have no complaints.
I chose it at the Portland Alder Creek store last Summer, with the help of the sales person who's name was Paul. Great customer service there!

I could sure use a paddling lesson, being "self-taught" with the aid of researching paddling techniques. Some critical analysis of my paddling stroke by someone who knows about such matters would be much welcome! I might make the event, but I'm not sure, yet. That's a long way to drive from Grays Harbor!