By Ryan Fagan
I have been paddling softwater lakes and slow rivers most of my life recreationally. I live on a medium lake in upstate NY and I frequent many lakes in the Adirondack region. Recently, I have introduced my wife, daughter (4), and son (2) to canoeing. I purchased a “family” style canoe – that is a fat, deep, and flat one which is very stable for the whole family but not particularly graceful or easy to move on the water. We had been using the standard straight-shaft paddles, thinking those were about as good as were available. Boy were we wrong!
When paddling became our new family activity, I took the leap and spent the money on a BB Special, thinking that I was pretty crazy for spending $130 on a wood paddle, but thinking it would at least make us look more serious! After reading reviews on 3 or 4 canoeing forums and websites, I saw that the BB special was listed as an excellent paddle for the cost compared to $200+ paddles, and especially good for our type of lakes. I saw that bent shaft paddles were recommended to be a little shorter than your straight paddles, and I had been using a 54″ straight paddle, so I ordered the 52″ BB Special.
When it arrived my first impression was: I can’t USE this, this should be on the wall! The wood work is extraordinary. The fit and finish is immaculate. The poly coating is 100% baby smooth everywhere, with zero bubbles, nicks, chips, or anything. The two types of wood are blended so seamlessly that it appears to be one magical piece. It is truly a decoration grade paddle.
Ryan Fagan and family enjoy a day of paddling.
Now for function:
If the appearance impressed me, the function blew me away. First, the fitted handle will make the generic straight paddle handles seem like cave man tools. It loosens your hand and takes away all the cramping that occurred previously.
Next, the weightlessness of the paddle makes canoeing effortless, no more sore arms and shoulders. It literally feels about as heavy as a water bottle. And how could something so light be so strong? There is zero flex in the paddle, and when my kid stepped on it, with the paddle angled down into the rocks and the shaft not supported by anything, the paddle didn’t break at all. On the water, this paddle pushed my boat 50% better than the straight paddle every did with 50% less work. My stroke is far shorter, I am not reaching out like with the straight paddle, and therefore I can put my power close to my body and that saves so much effort. These paddles will double the length of your trips because you just aren’t fatigued. With the bent shaft, I am able to still do perfect J strokes and have not seen any instance where I didn’t like the bent shaft.
After putting 10 miles on my paddle, I immediately ordered a 50″ BB Special for my wife. Once the 50 came in, I immediately looked over the fit and finish, skeptical of another paddle so perfect. Yet, the second paddle was every bit as naturally beautiful as the first. Truly, immaculate attention detail and the word perfection is all that can describe it. Once both my wife and I had these paddles, our trips became something on a new level. We went more often, and for longer paddles. IT was far more enjoyable than ever before for two reasons. First, the sheer effort and fatigue of long paddles in heavy boats with heavy loads was instantly decreased by 50% easy. Secondly, when you are using such a beautiful tool, it really does increase your connection to the wood and water. It makes you pay more attention to every detail around you and appreciate everything a little more. We found that using these works of art was really part of the enjoyment of the whole trip, instead of a cheap bang around paddle.
So to anyone reading this, let me give you the straight, non-paid advice: Spend the money and get a set of these paddles. You will be immediately impressed with their craftsmanship, and it will take your canoeing to a whole new level. They transformed our time on the water for sure.
