Espresso canoe paddle

This is my first high end paddle; I've always bought cheap paddles that last a season or two before needing extensive work or a match. The Espresso is light, strong, comfortable, and the finish is almost bullet-proof. I've used it for hundreds of miles for multi-day trips on lakes and rivers, and some very skinny water. I wax it before a trip and then clean and re-wax after and it looks brand new. It enters and exits water quietly and is beautiful to boot.

There might be a better paddle for the money, that is the only reason it is not a 10. "Freestyle" grip is not as comfortable as their standard "directional" grip, but it facilitates freestyle moves. I'd suggest the freestyle grip only if anticipate needing it.

The paddle is very lightweight and exceptionally buoyant. It almost seems to "pop" out of the water at the end of a stroke. Not problematic, but the sensation felt weird on the first few strokes, now I enjoy the feeling.