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Viper Paddle
Viper Paddle Description
The Viper is ergonomically designed with a double bend shaft to help keep both wrists aligned when paddling. This reduces fatigue and is a great benefit for wilderness tripping. This paddle is hand-crafted in Osceola, Wisconsin of durable, lightweight basswoods. The Viper’s durable blade has a 4 oz. fiberglass wrap and full Rockgard® protection for added peace of mind. This paddle is both stunning to look at and a treat to paddle on long trips.
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Viper Paddle Specs and Features
- Material Description: Basswood and Roasted Basswood Blade, 18 Laminate Basswood Shaft.
Additional Attributes
- 11° Double Bent
- Curved Palm Grip
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Bending Branches
Viper Paddle Reviews
Read reviews for the Viper Paddle by Bending Branches as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!
While not the ideal paddle…
While not the ideal paddle for every trip, I have enjoyed using my 54" Viper. I paddle in a 17' Esquif Prospecteur. If I am the stern paddler, and I have an adult bow paddler, I will use the Viper and have the bow paddler use a Beavertail. If I am a solo paddler with young children, and no bow paddler, I will have my Viper as a back-up, but actually find the Beavertail to be the superior paddle solo. I am not saying the Viper works poorly on the stern, quite the opposite, this is just my observation. With the Viper, my younger children have a much easier time paddling, I suspect because of the bent shaft, and they can power up more effectively than with a Beavertail or Arrow; so if they want to paddle, I will have them use the Viper as a bow paddle.
The Viper is very lightweight, ergonomic, and it looks great. When I need to dig in, the Viper performs quite well, much better than a Beavertail, and I can really get moving. Perhaps this is a personal issue, but J-Stroking seems to be less effective with the Viper than with an Arrow or Beaver.
I would recommend this paddle for anyone who likes to paddle solo in a long canoe, for long periods of time. It performs superbly in flatwater, and it does wonders in rivers and against wind. As mentioned, digging in can be a breeze, and the amount of energy and movement used to perform the same maneuvers on a flat shaft is, from a personal estimation, ~quartered. If you are looking to try it, I doubt you will be dissapointed.
While not the ideal paddle…
While not the ideal paddle for every trip, I have enjoyed using my 54" Viper. I paddle in a 17' Esquif Prospecteur. If I am the stern paddler, and I have an adult bow paddler, I will use the Viper and have the bow paddler use a Beavertail. If I am a solo paddler with young children, and no bow paddler, I will have my Viper as a back-up, but actually find the Beavertail to be the superior paddle solo. I am not saying the Viper works poorly on the stern, quite the opposite, this is just my observation. With the Viper, my younger children have a much easier time paddling, I suspect because of the bent shaft, and they can power up more effectively than with a Beavertail or Arrow; so if they want to paddle, I will have them use the Viper as a bow paddle.
The Viper is very lightweight, ergonomic, and it looks great. When I need to dig in, the Viper performs quite well, much better than a Beavertail, and I can really get moving. Perhaps this is a personal issue, but J-Stroking seems to be less effective with the Viper than with an Arrow or Beaver.
I would recommend this paddle for anyone who likes to paddle solo in a long canoe, for long periods of time. It performs superbly in flatwater, and it does wonders in rivers and against wind. As mentioned, digging in can be a breeze, and the amount of energy and movement used to perform the same maneuvers on a flat shaft is, from a personal estimation, ~quartered. If you are looking to try it, I doubt you will be dissapointed.
I have owned Bending Branches…
I just finished a 10-day solo trip on the Green River (Labyrinth Canyon) and the Viper was amazing. I've been paddling the Viper since May...mostly lake and one three-day river trip. I haven't experienced any of the elbow fatigue I suffered last summer. It is a beautiful paddle, too. The large blade also can move some water!
Can't recommend the Viper enough and the folks at BB and ACK were great.
So far so good...my first two…
After much research and query I decided on the Bending Branches Viper which I purchased through Austin Kayak with a nice promo code/coupon from previous purchases through them.
Sizing worried me a bit but the folks at both Bending Branches and Austin Kayak were really friendly and helpful. I decided on the 50" after a long chat with Austin Kayak about sizing, canoe width (Penobscot 16RX) and torso length.
The paddle is light and enters the water beautifully. The longer and wider blade moves some water - something I really like on the lake...especially when the winds pick up (I mostly paddle Lake Dillon at 9,000' and the winds can get kind of intense).
If you're looking for a really nice double bend paddle with a beautiful face... get the Viper!
I've always wanted one of…
My Experience: I have worked…
CONS:
The Viper advertises the ergonomic bend to the shaft and claims to relieve sore wrists. My wife does claim it helps with her tendinitis but isn't sure if its just the light weight. This is where it looses points. It's unique, but I think the claims of BB are a bit lofty.
PROS:
This paddle is light weight, fast, and sexy. I prefer this paddle to any carbon because:
1)I don't race
2)Pulling wood is easier on the joints after a week of 10 hour paddling days on extended trips.
Where I LOVE this paddle is that the bend in the stick allows it to do what no other bent shaft could. I am primarily a canadian style paddler. I paddle on one side and constantly cycle through canadian, indian, draw, and pry strokes. I never liked how a bent shaft hindered all of these strokes but I wanted the added efficiency. The bend in the shaft allows me to change my grip and have the blade enter at a right angle when I want that perfect draw or pry stroke. Canadian and Indian are still best done with a straight shaft (Never leave home without one). But for all day trips, this is the paddle that covers the most distance for me. Should make any advanced paddler happy. Hope this helps!