It does not surprise me that there was no flex in the pPadlok system you
used, one of my spare breakdown paddles is a riot also ( I believe the shaft
is also by Lendal ), is a 4 piece so will fit into virtually any boat, and
although a bit heavy, when put together, is very solid, and at $100. hard to
beat. They do make the Paddlok in a WW version as well.
"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...

On 16-Mar-2006, "Grip" wrote:

You speaking of the new Lendal paddles?

I have the older design - I bought when the Paddlok system came out.
No one had experience with the Paddlok so I stayed away.

I did recently see at a shop the new Lendal where you separately
purchase
the sharf and blades, everything adjustable....I am reluctant to paddle
WW
with a multi-piece paddle, so am awaiting feedback, but that concept
would
seem very suited to a touring paddle.

I used such a Lendal on a trip once - four days sea kayaking. The Paddlok
joints
are pretty solid - no flex that I noticed. It is neat to be able to buy
one shaft
and two or more different blades and change on the fly. I think that for
most
folks, the compact size when taken apart makes them ideal for travelling
or
storing as a spare paddle - especially if you need to store one inside a
WW kayak.

Are they tough enough to handle rock bashing WW? I don't know. I would
not be concerned with them for most other paddling, though.

Mike