Epic Paddles – Why Don’t We Offer A Bent Shaft Option?

Epic Paddles – Why Don’t We Offer A Bent Shaft Option?

By Greg Barton

I always look to racers to evaluate new innovations. For them, a fraction of a percentage can make a big difference in their results, so they quickly find what works and what doesn't.

Bent shaft or Crank shaft paddles were first used by Richard Fox of Great Britain in winning the 1989 K-1 Slalom World Championships. The following year, a number of sprint kayak racers tried crank shaft wing paddles. Most notable was Martin Hunter, the 1989 K-1 500 meter World Champion from Australia. He finished 3rd in the K-1 500 event at the 1990 World Championships using a crank shaft paddle. He then switched back to a straight shaft paddle the following year. No world class sprint paddlers have used crank shafts since 1991.

Bent shafts are more popular with Whitewater paddlers. In 1996, about half of the World's top Slalom racers used crank shaft paddles, while the other half continued to use straight shafts. That has since changed to about 33% using bent shafts and 67% straight. Crank shafts are very popular with Whitewater Rodeo competitors - probably making up 75% or more among the top paddlers.

Crank shafts flopped in sprint racing (as well as marathon and open water racing) for the following reasons:

1. There is no gain in forward speed using crank shafts. While it may put the wrist in a slightly easier gripping position at the start of the stroke, experienced paddlers can accomplish the same reach with a relaxed grip on a straight shaft. Top racers rarely have wrist problems with straight shafts.

2. The shape of a crank shaft makes them inherently weaker. Therefore a heavier shaft is needed to achieve the same strength.

3. If you paddle with a feathered paddle (as all top sprint racers do), a crank shaft makes the stroke asymmetrical. While the pushing (top hand) position of the control hand is in a favorable position, the pushing position of the off-control hand must turn in the opposite direction - resulting in a more awkward push on the off control side.

4. Crank shafts do not allow the paddler to adjust the spacing between the hands - they must hold the paddle only in one place.

Crank shafts have continued to remain popular with Whitewater enthusiasts for the following reasons:

1. They allow more control over the inclination of the paddle blade - making turning strokes easier.

2. They give more indication of the blade orientation - making it easier to position the paddle properly in heavy whitewater, when upside down, etc.

We continue to monitor our customer feedback and look for evidence that there is value in having a crank shaft version in our paddle lineup. However, in our view it still remains to be seen if crank shaft paddles are beneficial to touring or Sea Kayakers. In this light, Epic does not offer a bent/crank shaft option.