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PERFORMANCE PADDLES SERIES and YOKEPADS

Bending Branches Canoe Paddles: A paddle is the most personal piece of outdoor equipment you take on a wilderness canoe trip. When you figure 1,200 strokes/hour, 10,000/day, a blade that is both wide and lightweight is a huge advantage. If your budget is limited, put one of these Bending Branches paddles on the very top of your list. When conditions get rough, you need the control and confidence of a durable high-performance paddle.

Both of these paddles deliver unmatched performance and beauty at a great price. Shafts and blades are laminated with select basswood and maple for lightweight comfort plus cherry and butternut for rigidity and attractiveness. Both feature the exclusive Rockgard composite tip which now wraps around the blade corners for additional protection.

Expedition Plus: This paddle has everything the serious wilderness tripper wants: a 21 laminate hardwood shaft and wider hardwood blade deliver an efficient power stroke. The entire blade is protected by composite reinforced fiberglass cloth, making it the toughest wood paddle on the market. Features new Wrap Around Rockgard protection. I've used this paddle extremely hard over the past 4 years, and it's become my absolute favorite. If you can own only one paddle for wilderness canoe tripping, this is the one. The new Ultimate T-Grip provides maximum control and long distance comfort.
Blade 20" long, 8" wide. Weight 28 oz Sizes: 54, 56, 58, 60
Expedition Plus $105

Cruiser Plus 14°Features Classic Palm Grip and nine laminate blade of light and dark hardwoods. Composite reinforced fiberglass cloth covers entire blade. Features new Wrap Around Rockgard protection. If you're into high performance with the ultimate toughness and no maintenance this is the bent shaft wood paddle to put in your hands. You won't let it go.
Blade 20" long, 8 1/2" wide. Bend 14° Weight 22 oz Sizes: 50, 52, 54
Cruiser Plus 14° $95

*The sizes given are those we normally keep in stock. We can special order other sizes. Please allow a few weeks for delivery on special orders.
* Fitting paddles is really a personal thing. If you have an old paddle the length you like, go by that. To measure, sit on a chair with a paddle upside down between your legs. The critical measurement is shaft length. For straight paddles the throat (where shaft meets blade) should be at the top of your head. For bent shafts the throat should be at the bridge of the nose. (If you don't have a paddle, just measure the distance from the chair to top of head or bridge of nose.) This gives the shaft length. Add blade length of model you want to get overall length to order. I'm only 5' 20" and use a 62" paddle, longer than most people my height. How far apart you like your hands is really the key. Your lower hand should be within a couple inches of the blade or it's too long.

Yoke Pads: Next to your canoe and paddle, a quality portage yoke is the most important piece of equipment on a wilderness canoe trip. Our yoke pads are made here in Ely by Bourquin Boats and are the most comfortable you can buy. Most canoes come with a poor excuse for a yoke. Replace yours with pads designed for the rough portages of the canoe country. One portage and you'll love 'em. These clamp-on pads are a luxurious 3 inches of closed-cell foam that fit either curved or straight yokes. You can adjust the pads for shoulder width without drilling any holes. Colors: Green or Dark Brown Yoke Pads $52