Gear Review: Werner Odachi Whitewater Race Paddle
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: Clackamas Rver
Duration of Test: 10 Miles
Product Name: Odachi Whitewater Paddle
Product Brand: Werner
Best Use: Whitewater Kayak Racing
Sizes: 191CM - 205CM Bent or Straight Shaft
The Full Review:
This is one of the highest quality whitewater paddles on the market. It is made of full carbon fiber and the paddle blades have a foam core. This means the paddle is extremely light, while the foam core maintains buoyancy, creating a smooth release out of the water on each stroke.
This paddle has a Dynell edging which reinforces and protects the paddle edged from scrapes and breakage on rocks. The actual paddle blades have quite a bit of surface area, which gives you maximum leverage.
This paddle was designed for Whitewater creeking races. There is a forward scoop where the blade meets the paddle shaft for maximum reach with each stroke. You will see the pros using this paddle on all the classic creeking races.
If you want to shave seconds off your time this is a worthy investment. But I will say this is not for every day creaking use. Because of the foam core and carbon fiber which is extremely light, it lacks a bit of durability. If you are on a low-volume creek and are going to be scraping and boofing off rocks often, I would suggest a fiberglass paddle. I used this out on the Clackamas River on a medium volume day and really liked all the leverage I could get with each stroke and definitely noticed how easy it was to re-correct myself.
The Good
Lightweight, racing design, foam core, carbon fiber, bent shaft better on your floor arms and shoulders,
The Bad:
This paddle is more fragile than your regular fiberglass paddle.
The Bottom Line:
The long and the short of it is that this is an amazing paddle designed for racing. There is a reason all the pros use this paddle. It will definitely shave seconds of your time and maximize the leverage of each stroke. But this cannot be your only paddle because it is more fragile than most. Getting a bent shaft will save your shoulders but the large surface area of this paddle will take some strength to use. If you are doing any kind of competition or even high volume rivers this paddle will be your best friend.
The Full Review:
This is one of the highest quality whitewater paddles on the market. It is made of full carbon fiber and the paddle blades have a foam core. This means the paddle is extremely light, while the foam core maintains buoyancy, creating a smooth release out of the water on each stroke.
This paddle has a Dynell edging which reinforces and protects the paddle edged from scrapes and breakage on rocks. The actual paddle blades have quite a bit of surface area, which gives you maximum leverage.
This paddle was designed for Whitewater creeking races. There is a forward scoop where the blade meets the paddle shaft for maximum reach with each stroke. You will see the pros using this paddle on all the classic creeking races.
If you want to shave seconds off your time this is a worthy investment. But I will say this is not for every day creaking use. Because of the foam core and carbon fiber which is extremely light, it lacks a bit of durability. If you are on a low-volume creek and are going to be scraping and boofing off rocks often, I would suggest a fiberglass paddle. I used this out on the Clackamas River on a medium volume day and really liked all the leverage I could get with each stroke and definitely noticed how easy it was to re-correct myself.
The Good
Lightweight, racing design, foam core, carbon fiber, bent shaft better on your floor arms and shoulders,
The Bad:
This paddle is more fragile than your regular fiberglass paddle.
The Bottom Line:
The long and the short of it is that this is an amazing paddle designed for racing. There is a reason all the pros use this paddle. It will definitely shave seconds of your time and maximize the leverage of each stroke. But this cannot be your only paddle because it is more fragile than most. Getting a bent shaft will save your shoulders but the large surface area of this paddle will take some strength to use. If you are doing any kind of competition or even high volume rivers this paddle will be your best friend.