Description

Some river runners (especially those using Small Inflatable Kayaks) still prefer the conventional shape of the Sherpa (as opposed to "down turned blades"), but where it really shines is for ocean surf kayaking. When you're carving across a big ocean surf wave, the velocity of the water relative to you and your kayak is much greater than it is on any standing wave you can catch on a river. When ruddering with your paddle, the forces involved don't simply go up in proportion to the water's relative velocity, they go up by the square of it! When ruddering with a down turned blade, the forces near the tip of the blade are offset from the blade's center line and so they tend flatten the paddle out into a low brace. When surfing standing waves, the relative velocity is low enough that this effect is negligible, but when zooming down a big, fast ocean wave, this force can be so great that it is hard to keep the paddle from spinning in your hand. With conventional shaped blades like the Sherpa, this isn't a problem because the forces on the blade (when ruddering) are more in line with the center of the blade.

If you can only afford one paddle and you want to use it for both river and surf kayaking, choose the Sherpa (or it's big brother the Power House).

The Sherpa can be equiped with either carbon or fiberglass blades. Carbon paddles are lighter, but they are also stiffer and less durable. For most people, Werner's fiberglass white water paddles are stiff enough, and anything stiffer just means more shock transmitted to your body. So we offer the carbon Sherpa by special order only (for those who are sure they want it).

The Sherpa is available in standard and small shaft diameters. For most people (men and women), even the standard shaft is too small and they do well to build it up with after-market grip tape etc. The small shaft option is for people who have a trouble finding gloves small enough to fit their hands (XS and smaller glove size); if that's not you, get the standard shaft size.

The Sherpa can also come in straight shaft or bent shaft. The stright shaft is made of fiberglass while the bent shaft is made of carbon fiber. It is not possible to either paddle shaft with the opposite shafts construction material.

Specs

Available (by special order):

• Carbon layup blade (lighter and stiffer than fiberglass blade, see description section for more details)

Special Ordering:

If we do not have a specific length, shaft diameter or breakdown paddle available for purchase, please call us and ask about special ordering the paddle you want. 

Feather Angle (All paddles sold here will come with no feather. To request a feather angle, call us or leave the feather angle you want in the notes section during checkout):

• 1-piece options
• unfeathered, Right hand control or left hand control, up to 90 degrees, in 5 degree increments
• 2-piece options
•  R45/0/L45 or R30/L30. R45 is their most popular in river running and R30 in play boating.

Shaft construction:

On white water paddles, straight shafts are made with fiberglass, while bent shafts are made with carbon fiber

Scroll table to the right to see more details.

Shipping

Curbside delivery from our Pick-Up Box -- FREE

1-Piece paddles shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling charge= $50.00

2-Piece and 4-Piece paddles shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground: Shipping and Handling charge= $35.00