How to Paddle Bent Shaft

Curious about a bent shaft paddle? What do they do? Are they better than regular straight paddles? How do you paddle a bent shaft paddle? I'll answer these questions and give you direction if you'd like to make your own!
#paddle #paddling #bend shaft paddle #canoeing #canoe paddle
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See the more detailed blog post with photos and instructions for the DIY option at:
ruggedoutdoorsguide.com
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Welcome / intro
01:57 - Why use a bent shaft paddle?
02:50 - How to Paddle bent shaft
04:20 - Who should use a bent shaft paddle?
05:00 - Can a stern paddler steer well with a bent shaft paddle?
06:30 - Extro/ending
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[@Harleywindtherapy]

You made a beautiful paddle! I love the 3 crosses especially. Well done, sir.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thank you very much! Your encouragement is much appreciated.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

Agreed. Didn’t know he was a man of God. Always on the lookout for more family friendly, Christian, outdoor channels. Subscribed! Blessings!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

My heart is in ministry, but for now, I'm in the outdoors space (which I also love). I have lost subscribers over my ending statement of "get out there and enjoy God's creation..." b/c many don't believe this world was created. It's sad, but my convictions are firm! Truth in love! Blessings my friend!

[@brianwofford3831]

Thanks for your video. It was very good. I have been paddling with a green Kevlar bent shaft for more than twenty years and love it. Coming from a very traditional tear drop shaped paddle history, I scoffed and made fun at first. But after a week on the water with it I was converted.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Brian; I appreciate your comment and your thoughts! I agree wholeheartedly! Cheers brother!

[@vls179]

That's actually a J stroke plus ruddering to keep the canoe straight. As a solo canoeist I'm trying to understand if a bent shaft would work for me, but it seems like it would be awkward. In tandem, it looks like a great bow paddle. Nice job on the paddle itself btw.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yup! Everyone has a preference, but for me, I've paddled every type of blade shape, shaft shape and double-blades. I can tell that the bend shaft increases my efficiency in the long run, and because the blade itself has lots of surface area, I take fewer strokes. I still switch sides every 5-7 strokes when I'm going hard, but it's easy for me given the paddle's relatively short shaft. Thanks for the comment!

[@dontall71]

Thanks for this information and have a blessed day!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Same to you! Thanks for the encouragement!

[@alphamah3979]

Bent shaft paddle blades are short and wide to reduce the swing weight and encourage a higher paddling cadence which will help keep the canoe at top speed. A short wide blade also has a more powerful and shorter "catch" phase of the stroke. Feathering a long blade out of the water is going to be much more awkward with a bent shaft.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the info!

[@ktownc936]

Learned today

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Never too late! :) paddle on!

[@TPainWhatitDo]

So I guess I have been turning my wrist the wrong way when I do a j stroke. I have been turning my wrist in the dorsal direction but this guy turns his wrist in the palmar direction. I will have to practice this.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Definitely a J-stroke involves turning the power side of the paddle (the side of the blade that pushes the water) away from the paddler at the end of the stroke! Cheers,

[@TPainWhatitDo]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I tried to do this all evening with my bent paddle. I can't do it with the bent paddle at all. It works fine with a straight paddle

[@TPainWhatitDo]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Good video btw. And nice paddle