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Mary Malmros
 
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Default why paddles matter - or do they?

(andrei) writes:

[snip]
Thank you all for the most interesting advice. Right now, our
kayaking budget is pretty much exhausted with two Tarpon 100s. With
time, and experience, we will both probably look into the purchase of
better, more efficient, faster and better tracking kayaks. But right
now we are stuck with Tarpon 100s. In my case, I am happy with it (-:
at least for the time being :-). So what I would be looking for is
reccomendations for a better paddle for my wife KEEPING IN MIND THAT
SHE WILL STAY WITH HER CURRENT KAYAK FOR THE TIME BEING. I mean - is
the Tarpon 100 too sluggish to improve on it anyway and are better
paddles only for more advanced kayaks - or might there be a
*reasonably price* (ABSOLUTE MAX 100 dollars) paddle which would
*significantly* improve the kayaking experience for my wife? (or does
the Tarpon 100 make the purchase of a better paddle a useless
endeavor?)


Yes. No. Maybe. If I told you over the internet what pair of
basketball shoes, and what size, would work better for you in your
playground pickup games, would you believe me? You shouldn't. Your
wife should try some paddles in your price range and see if she
thinks any of them are any better. If she can't find anything
better in your absolute max 100 dollars, then that settles that. I
will warn you, however, that if someone is having to struggle to
paddle their boat, if they just doggedly keep at it, IMO there's a
better than average chance that they'll develop a repetitive injury
in the wrist, shoulder or elbow that can be functionally disabling
-- not just for kayaking but for many other life activities. You're
the best judge of what you can't afford money-wise, but think about
what else you can't afford.

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Mary Malmros

Some days you're the windshield,
Other days you're the bug.