****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
By no means is this a 5-Star paddle. You put this up against an Aqua Bound or Werner, it will lose handily. However, I can honestly say that I haven't felt a better paddle in hand for $35. Ergonomics are good, blade geometry is good, blade stiffness is good, no flex or play in the shaft. All is great for a budget Rec paddle honestly.About 8yrs ago I sold my kayak and gear because of condo life. Had a great Necky and Aqua Bound Carbon/Fiberglass paddle and would paddle 20+ miles. Back in another Necky but since I'm doing two kayaks and two sets of gear, I've had to scale back a bit, and in reality, I don't see my wife getting into kayak at any level more than recreation. If she does, we'll make the necessary changes when we cross that bridge.Now I will say that if you're getting into kayaking, and plan on progressing because you're entering a community that is very active and have friends that are going out paddling weekly, get a decent kayak and get a decent paddle. You will thank yourself the first time you go out and the paddle is 20miles and you're dealing with currents, waves and wind. It makes a world of difference!Also, Necky is a good brand that has good ergonomics and boat geometry that tend to blur the lines between a rec boat and something more usable by an advanced paddler. In other words, people tend to not outgrow Necky kayaks as easily. Dagger, Wilderness Systems and such also make great kayaks, but I have found the hull designs found on the Necky's to be faster and they strike a good balance in stability and speed. Also, look at the secondary market first and do your research! Facebook and Craigslist are great options to find used kayaks locally at a fraction of their new prices! Google is your friend to find out information on the boats to aid in a purchasing decision. Chances are, if you're looking here for a paddle, and looking at this paddle, its because you're just getting into kayaking, and there's a good chance you don't even have a kayak yet! I say be honest with your goals and expectations. This is a very good rec paddle and probably an amazing backup paddle as well, but if you're planning on making this a regular hobby, you're going to want to spend more on a paddle.
