Looking for Answers about Watersports?

This is an interesting question, and while a yes-or-no answer seems appropriate, it's not that simple. But yes, a bent shaft is 'useful', in that it may be used as the better alternative to other paddle designs in the following solo situation: The bent shaft would be my first choice for a sit-and-switch style, where the paddler sits square on the seat with both feet planted firmly forward on foot rests. Straight power strokes are made, with course correction done by switching to the other side as needed. And depending on the boat, loading and trim, you may get three or four strokes on one side before needing to switch. The canoe tracks a slight zig-zag course, yet is fairly efficient because there are no J's, C's, stern prys or bow draws made, which all add drag as they correct your course.
Personally, I never do sit-and-switch because this seating position is extremely hard on my tender lower back. Therefore, I never use a bent shaft paddle in my solo boats.
I put a large foam pad in my solo canoes; it's half-inch minicel foam covered in 1mm neoprene. The minicel is slippery when wet, so the neoprene is glued to it, and the pad is fixed to the canoe. A foot rest bar, or individual foot rests (L&R) are installed. With the pad and foot rests, I am able to move freely inside the canoe with ease, switching from a full kneeling position for technical water, waves or wind, to one-foot-forward/one-foot-underneath the seat, for easier paddling. Some refer to this latter position the 'northwoods traveling position'. I can stretch out my ancient leg muscles with this arrangement, and my tender lower back is happy after many hours on the water, as it remains erect, and not pushed out at the base.
I carry two paddles for solo tripping: one is wood, with a shoulder-to-water length shaft and chieftain blade for flat gentle water,
and the other is carbon fibre with a 3-inch longer shaft and a squarish river blade for moving water and rocky rivers.
I would use a bent shaft for both bow and stern positions in a two-seater, but happily I have sold all my 'divorce boats', and only have solos; currently I don't own a bent shaft paddle.

Okay obviously people are not reading the question.

Is bent shaft useful for "solo canoeing"

Not tandum canoe and not kayaks

The answer is yes - absolutely

When you are in a "solo" canoe you are it - the bent shaft allows longer contact time in the water while allowing you wrists to stay in a more natural postion. This means more power in the stroke and efficiency of power

Yes there is a learning curve so you can do everything you could with a J-stroke - but that means you have to put the time in the boat to achieve this.

Once you do get used to the bent shaft you will never go back.

Take it from someone who is a marathon canoer and has a degree in biophysics and biomechanics

When in the back of my canoe I use a straight shaft. I find it's better for doing a J stroke, you don't end up with your paddle backwards. In the front however, the bent shaft is very effective. It's great for prying and ferrying. Sine there's no J stroke you don't get the orientation mixed up. So for solo, straight shaft

A bent shaft is great for efficient distance paddling but is not very useful for maneuvering. For example a sculling pry or draw is going to be very difficult because you need to get your paddle vertical. I would get a straight shaft first and get a bent shaft only for long distance paddles.

That depends...
I use a super ltwt carbon bent shaft for putting on the miles - so easy to paddle all day. It's sharp edge does a nice 'J'. A wood bent shaft might have more give (easier on the shoulders) but would be heavier (which really adds up by the end of the day).
But for solo maneuvering, a long slim straight paddle - a solid wood voyageur, or ottertail has a nice give & is ideal for fine-tuned subtle strokes.

No. You are best with a canoe paddle. In a canoe you are in a higher position than in a kayak and would not have an adequate stroke nor correct posture trying to use a kayak paddle (the kayak paddle will not be long enough, among other things). The fact that the paddle is bent shaft is really a kayak comfort question.

Some kayakers find that the bent shaft helps with stroke ease, but I find it is mostly a question of habit. But again, this advantage would never be felt trying to use the paddle in a canoe. Bent shafts are expensive, you will not find it worth the investment in solo canoeing.

the bent shaft paddle gives more straight line power and is designed more for racing in a multiple person boat. it is more difficult to make sweeeps ,cuts and continuous j strokes with a bent shaft paddle.for solo or style paddling a nice cherry grey owl beaver tail or voyageur style blade is the best

Absolutely- using a bent shaft paddle will allow a more efficient energy transfer of your stroke while in the pull through phase in the water. By using a bent shaft paddle the end of the stroke sees more benefit vs. using a straight blade paddle.

I bought the Wedge this summer and have found it more comfortable than the front zipper jackets. I also felt more secure in the jacket then in others I've worn. One bonus of the side zipper is that during portages I would normally take my jacket off, leaving the jacket on was restricting and having it unzippered meant it was falling off my shoulders. The side zipper allows the freedom of unzipper the jacket for the portage, but not having to take it off or having it slide off. Small bonus, but I found it very convenient.

I have had all kinds of PFDs and have NEVER found that the position of the zip has ever influenced my comfort. It doesn't change the safety of the vest, as they are all canadian coast guard approved. There are different types of floatation grades in the vests, but if you are not carrying heavy rescue equipment in the vest pockets, any grade of floatation is good!

Really, I recommend you try on the vests in store, and chose based on comfort. I like vests that don't restrict my movements. Also, when sitting in a kayak, the vest will rise slightly if you are wearing a kayak skirt, so you want to chose the right size with adjustable straps. Out of your two chosen products shown above, I would recommend the Wedge-E for this reason.

I like the front zip better because it is easier to take on and off and does not need to go over the head. Since I layer my clothing and carry my camera in a chest pocket and wear sweet hats, I prefer 'chest access'.

You can see from the picture that I have easily removed my pfd without removing my hat.

the side zip PFD is nicer when the the paddler is using alot of torso rotation. both the front and back of the PFD are a solid piece. In the front zip, the two separate sides can shift around when there is alot of movement, while the side zip PFD stays with you while you paddle. Of course it is personal preferance. Mine is side zip!!!

In my experience, and I think generally for females, the front zip is more comfortable. I don't think that there would be any difference in safety.

Sounds like my very recent quest. I was looking for more fun and control on the white water bits along river paddles, including overnighters. My research took me to crossover boats, with the LiquidLogic Remix XP10 (there's an XP9 for smaller paddlers) nudging out the Pyrahna Fusion and Jackson Rogue competition on things like quality of outfitting and finish, and a lever-operated skeg. I'm looking forward to putting my boat in the water for the first time this evening.

You have a few good options the prijon Yukon would give you lots of room for multi days and still handle so goood white water. There is a new version of the Remix a good ww boat with added skeg for the flats and has done the Grand Canyon a number of times there is the Everest and Fluid has just come out with a new multi day white water boat A large creeker would give room plenty of room and hadle any thing you could throw at it. I paddle an old Dagger Freefall and it is a creek boat that gives me lots of gear room and handles way more than I can throw at it. Cheers, Greg

Try taking a look at the Wavesport Fuse. its a combination between a play boat and a river runner. i have had no problems surfing in it at all, and there is plenty of space in it for gear for a multi-day trip.

Hi T-MAX,

I was in exactly the same boat... no pun intended! I wanted a river capable boat that could carry gear for my adventures. The boats mentioned in the staff answer would not have made me happy. After a year of research I ended up with a Liquid Logic Pisgah 14. Not sure they still make it, but there were only two others that even came close to this hybrid kayak. Even though it is 14 feet, it has a lot of rocker to it so it turns faster. Front and rear bulkheads with water-tight hatches. The guys at Liquid Logic took this boat into class 4 and raced all the other playboats! Of course the Pisgah won... no 8 or 10 foot boat can keep up to a 14 foot boat. I hope you find what you are looking for!

The only gloves that are appropriate for sailing are the MEC Humboldt SQ 2mm gloves 5023-630, They are the only one with a palm material that can handle the heavy abrasion that rubbing lines(ropes) cause. They use the same material as many sailing gloves but usually sailing gloves have thicker and multiple layers of the fake leather. For what its worth, sailing specific 3 season gloves like Gill use 1.5mm neoprene.
The Chesterman gloves are certainly the warmest but you will wear right through them in an afternoon of sailing. The Cyclepad or Humbolt 3mm will be better but it's only nylon offering the abrasion resistance and they won't last very well.

The Chesterman Booties (5021-653) & Chesterman Gloves (5021-657).

Made of 5mm neoprene, designed for the fridgid waters of the Pacific, lined with polypropelene fleece for insulation and comfort.

Warning though, the palms of the gloves won't be the most durable for rope work and may wear down quickly.

The warmest mitts that I have ever used are the NRS Toaster mitts but for kayaking I usually use MEC's whitewater pogies because I like to be able to use my bare hands alot and these allow me to free my hands quickly as well as get back into them quickly and easily. They also stay attached to the paddle so you won't lose them.

As far as booties, you can always add MEC's neoprene sock under any bootie (or shoe) and they provide excellent warmth in wet conditions.

Depends where you are. Vancouver sailing in the winter is very different from Halifax.
A John style like the MEC Fusion 5021-536 or combo vest, pants (search Fusion on mec.ca) is fine for Vancouver sailing.
For Halifax or the rest of Canada where its actually cold a drysuit is really the way to go. I'd recommend the Kokatat Lightweight Suit 5021-709. It doesn't have a latex neck seal so isn't as dry as a true drysuit but it is more comfortable to wear all day. Super breathable and you can layer more or less depending on how cold it is. Integrated socks means even your feet are dry.

I recommend a "steamer" 7mm full body wetsuit. Check out 'If Only Surf Shop' in halifax. They specialize in cold water surf gear. Hope this helps.

Try a drysuit. You'll never go back.

If you can get your hands on a canoe, I suggest Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. It's under 2 hours east off the #1 highway and connects to many other lakes without having to portage, there is even an underground tunnel that you can paddle through to get to another lake! Very easy lakes for beginners and there are many backcountry campsites on the various lakes that you can get to, so if you want to spend a few days camping and paddling without having to worry about currents or rapids, you can really get away from the cabins and see some fantastic Canadian Shield scenery. Last time we were there we got some great pictures of a bald eagle.

Right in winnipeg is the seine River. It has a lot of switchbacks and is narrow. Not a very strong current and is actually quite enjoyable to paddle. You might also consider the LaSalle river. It to is small and very picturesque at spots. if you are looking for further away and a little more rugged try the manigotogan river. Overnight camping and a good amount of portaging.

McMaster has a kayaking club. I would start there.

http://www.peninsulapaddlers.com/

Operate from Niagara to Burlington.

Venture Kayak Flex or Easky 13. They come with either a rudder which makes it easy to turn and go straight or a skeg which makes it easier to go straight. More folks than not like the rudder.
Both are stable and friendly and will handle your size just fine.
Both can certainly handle chop and wind waves but are meant for relativly protected water.

The first thing you need to do is decide on what tuype of paddling youn want to do. White water , sea kayaking recrational flat water.This helps narrow down your selection group. The next step is to try and paddle a many diffferent models as possible, look for demo days and clubs offering a trail paddle. Fit is going to be very important and many times you are better off getting the boat that fits best even though it may not be the one youwanted the most. Good fit is important not only for boat handling skills but because long hours in the boat should not hurt. I started with a dagger freefall creek boat and a sea kayak and now have more boats than I really need . However Ifind it hard to part with old friends when I upgrade and my friends can now play as well. Try as many bioats as you can and eventually the right one will find you kayak karma if you like Cheers, Greg

You can keep them inflated for transportation and its fairly common to do so. Its also save time at the put in not having to blow them up.
The drawback is that they are exposed to a much higher level of abrasion with the wind blowing them around as well as material destroying UV rays. They won't last as long.
Personally, I keep them inflated all the time as the thought of blowing them up makes me cringe. They're also made to be tough and seem to handle it pretty well.

Hi there

Like anything, it is always safer to unlash and remove anything that can fly out/off the boat. Flapping in the wind may also damage the float bags.

That said, so long as your items are lashed securely enough, they may not fall out, but it depends how fast you are traveling, and whether noise of them flapping around on your roof drives you crazy or not. The more items, the more noise.

thanks

MEC carrys two inflatable SUP's both from NRS.
Big Earl - 5025-313
Big Baron - 5027-727

Both avaliable on mec.ca
Big Earl is stocked in most stores, the Big Baron is in select stores

Not in their store.It took three weeks to get this product .