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Permalink Reply by Greg Loftus on August 27, 2010 at 3:01am

I think that the big difference in the bent shaft is that it is designed to relieve stress from the forearms by placing your wrist in a more natural position. I have bought my first bent shaft and for me i haven't yet decided which I prefer. After 14 seasons with a straight shaft and part of a season on the bent shaft I will have to pay some more before I decide. I know some paddlers that won't leave home without one and others you couldn't pay to use one. Time and practice and eventually you will have to decide for yourself. Wasn't that a lot of help. Cheers, Greg

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Permalink Reply by tao berman on August 27, 2010 at 10:56am

Hi Collin,

Congratulations on your new boat. I would suggest you demo a straight shaft and also a bent shaft to see which one feels better to you. I know a lot of great paddlers that use a straight shaft, and a lot of great paddlers that prefer bent shaft. I tend to think it really comes down to personal preference.
For the first ten years of my paddling career I used a Werner straight shaft and for the past seven years I've preferred to use the AT2.

See you on the river.

Tao

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Holcombe on September 1, 2010 at 2:10pm

Hi Collin,

I agree with both Tao and Greg. If you can demo both. Personally I use an AT 2 bent shaft (I switched from a straight shaft about 7 years ago) and have found it to be excellent. I think the biggest difference is in the grip, to me a bent shaft has a better feel to it. Congrats on getting your first boat! See you on the rivers

be safe
Andrew Holcombe
Team Dagger

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Permalink Reply by Collin on September 1, 2010 at 9:48pm

thanks for all the input guys! i did what you said and demoed both a straight shaft and a bent shaft. while both felt pretty good i went with the bent shaft because i have heard it reduces stress on the wrists and it just felt more natural in my hands. thanks again for the input

~ Collin

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Permalink Reply by Greg Loftus on September 1, 2010 at 11:20pm

You can always swuch later and there is nothing wrong with having a selection of paddles to choose from. Have fun with it Cheers Greg

Collin said:

thanks for all the input guys! i did what you said and demoed both a straight shaft and a bent shaft. while both felt pretty good i went with the bent shaft because i have heard it reduces stress on the wrists and it just felt more natural in my hands. thanks again for the input

~ Collin

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Permalink Reply by Greg Loftus on September 1, 2010 at 11:22pm

Join us on playak.net great resource, Greg

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Moore on September 2, 2010 at 11:35am

Here's one more opinion. I paddle a straight shaft over the bent because I feel as though it gives you a little more leverage with the boof however I feel the AT paddle is the exception. It has leverage, it's comfortable but its also one of the most expensive. The main reason I paddle the straight is because there is always the risk of loosing a paddle or having it break and if you're paying retail for your paddle this can get expensive. As a new paddler you probobly won't break any paddles but if you don't hold on to that thing it's a lot of money floating down the river.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Loftus on September 2, 2010 at 2:46pm

That is a good point they are expensive. Cheers, Greg
Thomas Moore said:

Here's one more opinion. I paddle a straight shaft over the bent because I feel as though it gives you a little more leverage with the boof however I feel the AT paddle is the exception. It has leverage, it's comfortable but its also one of the most expensive. The main reason I paddle the straight is because there is always the risk of loosing a paddle or having it break and if you're paying retail for your paddle this can get expensive. As a new paddler you probobly won't break any paddles but if you don't hold on to that thing it's a lot of money floating down the river.

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