Hi. I'm looking to buy a Werner Twist for my wife, to aid her playboating.

She's 5'2\" and slim, paddles a Wavesport Project 45 and needs a shorter paddle than her current Werner Sherpa 191 (has an Ammo too, so Sherpa suits that fine)

Am looking at a small diameter bent shaft in either 182 or 185. I seem to recall someone somewhere saying that if you go fro a bent shaft you need to either add or subtract from your 'normal' length, but I may have got this wrong.

Anyone got any ideas ? Werner site suggests 188cm, but I know the American padding style (flatter ?) usually calls for a slightly longer paddle, so I'm stuck somewhat.

Am also going to go for zero feather, as a few at our club are moving in that direction and I've never seen the sense in having feathered blades anyway ! Apparently, having the feather has something to do with reducing the wind resistance on the blade when it's moving through the air (i.e. presents the edge, rather than the face), but I think that would be more relevant to sea kayaking myself ?!

hello Rob

As memory serves you shouldnt need to add length for a bent shaft. I think you'll have a hard time finding a shorter paddle than 184 but thats just as far as my memory (which is probably spotty at best) serves.

If I can tempt your fancy take a look at wavedog paddles www.wavedogpaddles.com
www.wavedogpaddles.blogspot.com
they are super strong and light (especially for a wood paddle) I know that there have been some sent over to the UK and Europe. I paddle one and each paddle is custom made. They are unique, grassroots and the strongest paddle ion the market.

Oh yeah, they have an agent program starting up. not sure if in the UK but might be something to email about.

any specific questions feel free to email me... they gost got a top shelf review in paddler mag if that helps sway you too

take care and good luck on the search

oh btw... the collie is the smaller shaft of the 2

Hi

Its a tricky question I use a Robson Chilli and thats a 192. I have found with a short paddle no matter on your height you will find it hard to keep control and speed will be somewhat lacking to help initiate the moves.

I would recomend using a 192 blade any longer and she will just end up tripping herself up every 30 seconds

She has a 191 Sherpa now, which does seem too long.

We both had a go with a cranked, zero feather paddle today, which felt wierd at first. My Wife got on better with it than I did, as I felt that a 20 degree feather would have been erfect for me - I could feel my top control hand having to angle down, to keep the lower hand/paddle at right angles to the boat.