Here I go again, Anyone use a Gullwing paddle? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Sdspeed · 09-21-2012, 05:31 PM

this looks like it might be easier on old shoulders?

http://www.gullwingpaddles.com/paddle.html

YakMedic · 09-21-2012, 05:44 PM

Yes I did, I went through the same thing you did. Here is my old question
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...light=gullwing

I ended up buying one. It worked great for for most paddling. However I still have half a paddle in my garage after one of the blades broke completely off during a surf launch. The paddle is designed to snap on and off at the shaft and this is by far the weakest point of the paddle. When paddling as hard as possible trying to push through the surf one of the blades literally broke off. This was a launch during the dark at La Jolla and I never found the other blade and had to canoe paddle my ass through the surf.

Luckily I always keep a spare paddle in my yak just for these situations and my night wasn't ruined. I contacted the company explaining the issue and no questions asked refunded my money. I think it is a great idea and when paddling in the bays or on a lake it was wonderful. I would not trust it ever again to a surf launch though.

My recommendation is to go to OEX and test out a couple paddles and see what fits you the best. After two shoulder reconstructions I found that it was more of a paddle weight issue that was causing my pain and not so much the shaft bend. I ended up getting a Werner Camano full carbon paddle and have loved it ever since.

Sdspeed · 09-21-2012, 05:56 PM

well your where i'm at, both shoulders., 1 clavical and a shoulder blade. i noticed it appears your inquiry with Gullwing was a while back, wonder if they have changed things since your experience, Sounds like good customer service! price seems fair and i have to get as much back for my buck since i'm working with a limited budget.

taggermike · 09-22-2012, 09:47 AM

I tried a very similar paddle a few years ago. I did like it but thought it didn't feel that differnet from a strait shaft. I don't have any arm or shoulder issues though. The bent shafts do keep your wrists in a more nutral position. The things I have notice that relieve paddling fatique are a lighter paddle, a longer shaft , and a smaller blade. Lighter is obvious. A longer shaft allows you to fully imerse the blade with out lifting your oposite arm so high=less agressive angle. Smaler blade just passes through the water with ess effort. Mike

09-21-2012, 05:31 PM	#1
Sdspeed Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 732	Here I go again, Anyone use a Gullwing paddle? this looks like it might be easier on old shoulders? http://www.gullwingpaddles.com/paddle.html

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09-21-2012, 05:44 PM	#2
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	Yes I did, I went through the same thing you did. Here is my old question http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...light=gullwing I ended up buying one. It worked great for for most paddling. However I still have half a paddle in my garage after one of the blades broke completely off during a surf launch. The paddle is designed to snap on and off at the shaft and this is by far the weakest point of the paddle. When paddling as hard as possible trying to push through the surf one of the blades literally broke off. This was a launch during the dark at La Jolla and I never found the other blade and had to canoe paddle my ass through the surf. Luckily I always keep a spare paddle in my yak just for these situations and my night wasn't ruined. I contacted the company explaining the issue and no questions asked refunded my money. I think it is a great idea and when paddling in the bays or on a lake it was wonderful. I would not trust it ever again to a surf launch though. My recommendation is to go to OEX and test out a couple paddles and see what fits you the best. After two shoulder reconstructions I found that it was more of a paddle weight issue that was causing my pain and not so much the shaft bend. I ended up getting a Werner Camano full carbon paddle and have loved it ever since.

09-21-2012, 05:56 PM	#3
Sdspeed Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 732	well your where i'm at, both shoulders., 1 clavical and a shoulder blade. i noticed it appears your inquiry with Gullwing was a while back, wonder if they have changed things since your experience, Sounds like good customer service! price seems fair and i have to get as much back for my buck since i'm working with a limited budget.

09-22-2012, 09:47 AM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I tried a very similar paddle a few years ago. I did like it but thought it didn't feel that differnet from a strait shaft. I don't have any arm or shoulder issues though. The bent shafts do keep your wrists in a more nutral position. The things I have notice that relieve paddling fatique are a lighter paddle, a longer shaft , and a smaller blade. Lighter is obvious. A longer shaft allows you to fully imerse the blade with out lifting your oposite arm so high=less agressive angle. Smaler blade just passes through the water with ess effort. Mike