Whitewater Design & Fit

BLADE DESIGNS

Blade Dihedral

In 1976 Werner Sr. created an new blade design with the objective to of eliminating fatigue caused by blades fluttering when stroked. This latest paddle design had complex 3 dimensional shape on the power face known as dihedral. This dihedral shape was created to direct water to flow evenly off each side of the blade creating a smooth and stable stroke with limited flutter. Without a dihedral, water builds up on the power face. This water gets “confused” and in order to expel this build up, the blade will flutter back and forth. This reduces the gripping effort needed to overcome the flutter and allows you to use a loose grip style of paddling, reducing fatigue, and increasing your enjoyment on the water.

Dynel Edge

To protect the specialized designs of Ultimate blades, Dynel brings an extremely abrasion and impact resistant edge. Proven on the water since 2002, this material gives confidence to paddlers buying paddles with ultimate performance. Available on our Ultimate paddles, this composite rope material disperses impact to protect the blade during a hard impact. It also greatly slows the wear process with its abrasion resistant properties. Key to protecting your investment if you come in contact with rocks or reef often in your paddling.

Asymmetrical Blade Shape

Asymmetrical kayak blades are designed to balance the amount of pressure loaded onto the blade face as the paddle enters and exits the water, reducing torque on the blade. When the blade loads evenly, forces are equalized, torque is minimized and your paddle will pull smoothly through the water. This reduces the need to over-grip your paddle which will allow you to have less stress on your body and enjoy paddling longer. This design feature was innovated by Werner Sr. and is a key element in our core design philosophy of a smooth and stable stroke.

Ultimate - Carbon Fiber Dynel Reinforced

Our Ultimate performance whitewater blades are far and away our best paddling whitewater paddles. Our engineering team has tested and created the perfect combination of fiberglass, carbon and Kevlar to match light weight with our Bomber strength. To assure confidence in the rigors of the whitewater environment, we mold in a thick Dynel edge guard. A roping material, dynel is impact and abrasion resistant.

Premium - Carbon Fiber

When every ounce counts, look to our Premium Carbon blades. As a stiffer material, you can use less carbon to achieve the same strength as fiberglass, allowing for a lighter weight.. All carbon materials with a foam reinforcement stick to provide rigidity.

Premium - Fiberglass

Originally developed in the 70's and perfected for decades. Our Premium fiberglass blades in HD Graphics or Translucent colors look unlike any other. A true work of art, the perfection in hand craftsmanship can be seen by holding the blades up to the light. These full fiberglass blades provide light swing weight and stiffness for our mid-price point. A foam reinforcement stick provides rigidity.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced - Injection Molded Nylon

Our injection molded carbon reinforced nylon blades are impact and wear resistant, lighter weight and stiffer than their fiberglass counterpart, and utilizes recycled Carbon. This material allows us to mold the design elements direct from our Premium line but a lower price point.

Fiberglass Reinforced - Injection Molded Nylon

Injection molded fiberglass reinforced nylon blades are impact and wear resistant. This combination of materials allows us to mold the design elements direct from our Premium line but a lower price point. The fiberglass material allows a level of stiffness and light swing weight that is tops in its price category.

BLADE SHAPE

Play Boating

Werner Paddles was the innovator of the down-turned blade shape. The directional strokes needed in play boating are made smoother by this blade shape as opposed to a river running blade. This blade shape excels to help boat control, surf waves or to set up for today's most advanced moves. These blades are also a favorite of ocean surfers, in white water boats, wave skis, or surf boats. Our white water designs have a slight dihedral for smooth vertical maneuvering strokes. Note we also flatten the back face spine to aid in these strokes.

River Running

With a more pronounced tip and more surface area above the center of the blade, this design is optimized for a better forward stroke. These blades are the best choice for the core elements of river running; pulling yourself through or over holes and drops, breaking in and out of features and ferrying across current. The best whitewater boaters in the world have believed in, trusted and tried our designs for decades. Our white water designs have a slight dihedral for smooth vertical maneuvering strokes. Note we also flatten the back face spine to aid in these strokes.

SHAFT FEATURES

Whitewater Shafts

BOMBER = Reliable. Our legendary bomber reputation has given paddlers decades of confidence on the most extreme rivers across the world. With utmost attention to detail, design and craftsmanship, our shafts are all handmade at our production facility in Monroe,WA in the USA. We're able to place our choice of fiberglass and carbon materials exactly where it's needed. The result is an unmatched combination of flex, weight and of course strength. With advanced design and materials in our blades and shafts, look no further than Werner to see who the leaders in white water are. Whether our straight shaft, or neutral bent, our shafts have a unique feel. Notice the texture, the indexing. Designed to give you more comfort and control and to be able to feel the precision of every one of your strokes.

Carbon Fiber - Straight

At our highest level of straight shaft, we use 100% carbon materials. Our design team has ensured that this super light weight material is constructed to be strong, and with comfortable flex. Our craftsman hand assemble each to the level of excellence our customers have come to expect.

Fiberglass - Straight

Our fiberglass shafts have performed for decades on some of the hardest rivers and are a key component in our Bomber reputation. Designed and tested to combine light weight, comfortable flex and the highest level of strength, our craftsman assure each one is built with pride. We know this shaft is going to live a hard life on the river, with a customer counting on it. A combination of fiberglass materials make up this shaft.

Straight Shaft

If one can commit to a good loose grip style of paddling, our straight shaft option is solid choice. For the entry level paddler, it allows the ability to save and invest in lighter swing weight because straight shaft is less expensive. For others they simply like the traditional, simple feel of a straight shaft. Our attention to detail in texture, indexing and flex allows for confident control and comfort all day long.

Neutral Bent Shaft

Proper ergonomic hand, wrist, and forearm position alleviates stress and strain and the potential for injury. A loose grip also promotes better overall technique and can keep you on the water for much longer. Using an ergonomic, loose grip is especially important for those with pre-existing injuries. Taking design a step further, we innovated "Neutral Bent." We achieve this by lining up all parts of the paddle in one straight line while allowing your wrists to not be cocked at uncomfortable angles. This makes finesse strokes and rolling much easier and allowing for a seamless transition for those switching from straight to bent. Further attention to detail went into our indexing which is molded into the shaft. We tested to best fit hands with a closed grip and have found that a teardrop shape fits much better than the traditional oval. Bent shafts are slightly higher in weight and cost, but the trade off is the confidence in knowing you are protecting your body for the longevity of your paddling.

Standard and Small Diameter Shaft

Choosing the proper shaft size (diameter of the shaft) for your hands assures a more comfortable experience on the water. You'll maintain a lighter grip for better technique, allowing better control and reduced fatigue. Measure your hand size by placing a ruler at the base of your hand (at the joint of your wrist) and measuring to the tip of your middle finger. If you measure smaller than 6.5" we suggest small shaft. Longer, go to our standard shaft. If you are on the line, we suggest you try both at an authorized Werner dealer and see for yourself. Paddlers with shorter, thicker fingers also gravitate to small shaft.

4-Piece Breakdown

One of the most important pieces of safety gear you will ever own, your 4-piece breakdown Werner. Solid ferrules at the blades and mid-section give a solid 1-piece feel when assembled, but breakdown easily when it is time to stow it back away. Available in almost all of our Premium and Standard whitewater paddles. Choose up to three feather angles that are at least 45 degrees apart from each other. If the paddle is exposed to the elements often, we recommend cleaning the ferrules every few months to ensure an easy fit when the time comes when a breakdown is needed.

2-Piece Breakdown

Easier travel or the ability to store under deck lines for Coastal Play. The center ferrule is a traditional stainless steel push button system. Choose up to three feather angles that are 45 or more degrees apart. This is a great breakdown option with less moving parts and a lighter weight (~5 oz less) than our four-piece configuration.