Shuna Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle

I was using a Werner Tybee FG 215 for some time. It's reasonably light, reliable, and has worn well.

About 6 months ago I bought a Shuna Bent 210 (carbon shaft, glass blade). I've used it training on the river a lot, plus a few sea and lake trips. I chose the size using the guide on Werner's web site - I'm 5'10" and I found it better for high angle than the Tybee (at 215).

What I like about it:
1. The two piece design is a brilliant piece of engineering. No messing with keys or bulky clips. I really cannot tell I am using a two piece paddle because the connection is that good. It allows you to easily vary the feather to cope with wind conditions. Air pressure difference in the shaft can occasionally make it difficult to separate the parts - rotate it to free because it won't pull apart!

2. When I first used it I noticed how little it weighed. This has to reduce fatigue in the hands and arms. It is easy to speed up the stroke for a sprint. The weight feels little different whether I use high or low angle.

3. The blade design suits my style. It grips the water and I get no energy wasted though blade slip or flutter. I feel an occasional flutter under hard acceleration, but only if I exceed the blade's ability to grip. I can use a high or low angle stroke. The blade always feels reassuringly planted.

4. The shaft diameter is the same as my Tybee but the Shuna just feels more comfortable to hold. It feels a bigger diameter in the hand and the carbon is smooth and warm. It just feels good to hold. The bent shape and indexing make it easy to find your grip.

Overall impression:
It took a while to get used to the bent shaft - but once I'd relaxed into the difference, it behaved exactly as a straight. I noticed on a recent long distance lake trip my average speed on the GPS was the same at the end as at the start. I put this down to the ergonomics of the paddle - I felt tired as if I should be travelling slower but I wasn't. I had no wrist ache so I'm sure the bent shaft made a difference.

My Tybee FG is a two-piece with the same ferrule connection - it's a good paddle for 1/3 the price - I pack it now as the spare.

I love this paddle. Lightweight and cuts through the water like butter. The bent shaft allows me to change my hand position which benefits my wrists.

I plan to follow this up, but so far this paddle is outstanding. I've been out with it twice, and it makes my boat (Necky Manitou 14), which I've always loved, feel faster and more agile. I've been using a high angle style the last 2 years after buying the Brent Reitz DVD, and I've liked my Aquabound carbon StingRay, but there's no comparison.

If there is a drawback, it's that I crash -- hard -- at the end of the day when I'm home and the boats are put away. That used to happen a lot earlier in the day with other boats and other paddles. Bottom line -- this paddle is worth the price, and it looks beautiful.

The Werner Shuna in my quiver is a straight shaft fiberglass model, and I find it to be a superb paddle. As the prior reviewer noted, it is a high angle paddle, but has a slightly smaller blade area than, for instance, the Corryvrecken (which I also own). My two Shunas, 215 cm and 210cm, are the workhorses of my quiver of paddles, and tend to be the ones I use most frequently. They are the most forgiving of the high angle Werners on the joints, esp the shoulders, which can really get rocked with a large area paddle and high angle style over a long day of paddling. The Shuna pulls less water per stroke—speed is not quite as high, but you can paddle longer. The fiberglass is transparent, orange, and really does seem to be lightweight (although the carbon fiber is a tad lighter at much greater expense). The need for varying feather angles is especially key for high angle paddling and wind, and the adjustable ferrule is rock solid and very handy. Although I own a several Werners, for an overall great high angle paddle, I give the nod to the Shuna. One point deducted because of the price, which I find high for all Werner products. Keep and eye out for this paddle on eBay or Paddling.net classifieds. Paddle on.