Profile

I gave it a ten because I think it is the coolest new product in several years. I have always wanted a paddle to take with me on trips, but only paddle with a Greenland paddle, so I had no good options until now. I also see some of my buddies with compact cars who really need a breakdown paddle, but like me, only paddle with GPs. This is perfect for them.

The Northern Light Paddle is a great paddle, not just for travel. It fits nicely in the hand. The shoulders are just right. It enters the water cleanly and there is no cavitation. It is very buoyant and good for rolling. I have put many miles on mine by now and continue to love it.

I am planning a trip on the Maine coast in a couple of weeks and plan to take the NLP as a spare on the back deck and probably one as my main paddle. I tested this idea, to make sure it would work. I put the paddle on my back deck with one blade and the loom held together with one screw. The other blade was stored separately under the bungees. Normally the 3-pieces are held together with two screws. I pulled the pieces off the back deck, put it together, minus one screw and paddled with it for four miles. It was as solid as if it had both screws in place. I also rolled a half dozen times, same thing. I think it is the best spare a person could have. One could also break it down in three pieces and put it in one of the hatches.

A great deal of work has been done to make the paddle extremely durable. Time will tell, but I have every reason to believe it will give many days of good service.