I am still using my original Werner carbon paddle (now 20 years old), and for my money Werner paddles are among the best on the market. We now have four of these carbon beauties (I love the Werner CAMANO) and wouldn't dream of going kayaking without them. You might think there's little difference between a 37-ounce paddle and one that weighs 25 ounces. But in the long run (say at about 1800 stroke an hour) the difference is evident. Good as gold.