Once I realized I was hooked on the freedom and endless possibilities of stand up paddling, I committed to my first Werner SUP paddle. Now I own and have paddled enough Werner SUP paddles to feel more than comfortable backing these blades.
In this article I’ll explain what to look for in a Werner SUP paddle, their key differences, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
I personally haven’t paddled the Vibe or Trance, but seeing the durability and performance behind the rainbow of paddles I have no doubt you’ll be pleased with your purchase no matter what.
Choosing a Werner SUP Paddle
The Old and a Bit of my Werner SUP Paddle History
My first Werner SUP paddle was a Carve size medium. The Carve model came out in the earlier years of the sport when a blade’s surface area was larger. As a recreational blade not reinforced for whitewater use it went through 5 seasons of river stand up paddling.
You can probably tell it is starting to get a little “tired and worn out” – see the cracking along the edges.
TIP: buying a paddle to suit the environment and use will help it last longer. The development of stand up paddleboarding brought the surface area of paddle blades down in size to help with the paddler’s stamina.
Werner SUP Paddle Blade Size
The smaller SUP paddle blades allow for continuous effort without tiring out muscles. The smaller the blade, the less water is pushed, which can be easier on the body.
I also own a “large” blade size in this SUP paddle. I paddled it a few times and noticed my smaller build and the large blade felt like a lot of effort, but I was able to put more power behind each stroke. The Werner Carve has now been replaced by the Werner Zen.
Werner Zen SUP Paddle
I actually have two different Zen’s in my quiver of SUP paddles. These recreational performance paddles are lighter than the old Carves and come with a selection of smaller blade sizes – 85 or 95 square inches. Their shafts are a carbon blend, giving them a lightweight swing.
Werner SUP Paddle Shaft Size
You can actually get a small shaft size with a Werner SUP Paddle. Some ladies are petite and small in stature; their hands won’t be as big.
As seen below
A small shaft allows the paddler to not fatigue their grip strength by trying to hang onto a big shaft for extended periods of time.
The Werner Zen SUP has a 10 degree offset angle in the blade. Don’t worry I’ll cover more on this feature later.
One of my favourite fun features about the Zen’s are their brightly coloured blades. They are easy to spot! (great for safety). The Zen’s upgraded their adjustable length paddles to LeverLock.
Werner SUP Paddle LeverLock
This in-shaft cable system keeps the paddle securely in place and adds no extra “catch points” on the shaft of the paddle as seen in these two other methods of length adjustment. This leaves the shaft uninterrupted when switching paddling hands.
TIP: The LeverLock also allows precise lengths, unlike the button style, to suit all paddlers preferences. For a committed recreational paddler I can’t recommend the Werner Zen enough.
Werner Legend SUP Paddle
I went straight from a recreational blade to the best whitewater SUP paddle for my second Werner purchase. I bought a Legend.
I had seen the Werner Legend SUP paddle used by inspiring whitewater athletes like @spencerlacey and @bpsurfs. Let’s just say I was instantly overjoyed with paddling a full carbon fibre paddle with reinforcement around areas of wear.
Its foam core makes it extremely lightweight and buoyant. But the foam core also makes the SUP paddle susceptible to impacts. I accidentally braced off a rock (bad idea) and managed to put a hole in the blade of my Legend within the first two weeks of owning it.
More my bad than the product’s...I was used to a solid blade. The handle itself is also carbon fibre, so with this much carbon fibre around it did come at a higher cost. Yes, I did speak with past tense there -- the Legend is no longer in production.
I realized it wasn’t on their webpage for purchase anymore, and I bought the last one I could find. My second one is adjustable with LeverLock technology.
TIP: Carbon fibre is one of the stiffest materials on the market, increasing the force put onto your joints . I am happy and lucky to have two of these paddles in my quiver.
Looking through what Werner currently has available online, the Trance and Rip Stick are full carbon fibre. Because of the blade, shaft and handle they are comparable in weight to the Legend. Though I would expect them to not be as durable. The Rip Stick also has the same 7 degree offset as the Legend, where the Trance is 10 degrees. More on this below.
Werner Rip Stick 89 3 piece adjustable SUP Paddle
$575.00
Werner SUP Paddles: How to Choose the Right One The Werner Rip Stick 89 3 piece adjustable SUP Paddle is the answer to what stand up paddle surfers want. Whether in the ocean or river, surfers want more power from a… Read More
Werner Session SUP Paddle
But let’s get back to heavier paddles…I purchased a breakdown paddle this season. It comes apart into 2 pieces.
These types of paddles have more material which equals more weight, though it is still lighter than most paddles that come with your “All in one SUP package.”
This paddle, a two piece Werner Session, is for travelling. It will be able to break down and fly with me. There is an even better blade for travelling: the three piece.
My first Werner Session SUP paddle is adjustable (with LeverLock) as a backup paddle to my original Legend. The weight of an adjustable shaft is a bit heavier than the straight shaft cut to length.
The Werner Session is a solid fibreglass epoxy blade with more material around the edges that endure the whitewater environment. This blade has been around for years; it seems to be a standard for whitewater kayakers. It’s important to remember the blade weight is heavier than carbon fibre.
The durability of the Session is unlike any other paddle and is certainly a first choice for use on a river. Also, the blade offset – 7 degrees – is optimum for shorter strokes and aligns the blade to the surface of the water for effective bracing. The weight of this paddle is still less than that of your average recreational paddle.
But if you’re looking for a lightweight race blade, read on!
Werner Apex SUP Paddle
This paddle has inspired me to train harder and actually try out the racing world. This is a paddle I used at both these SUP races: “Queen of the Valley” and “Log jam by Bow Valley SUP.”
This ultimate high performance SUP race paddle is like no other that I have tried. I am so grateful to have support/sponsors and to have received this paddle for my quiver. Thank you to Brink Group and Companies here in my hometown, Prince George. Like the Werner Legend, the Apex SUP paddle is a fully carbon fibre blade, shaft and handle. It is unbelievably light weight. The Apex has an unique feature to it called the “power pocket.”
This convex pocket on the power face helps the blade to catch the water more confidently and creates stability through all stages of a forward stroke.
Werner SUP Blade Offset
This blade’s offset is 10 degree, some manufacturers recommend this or greater degree of offset for racing.
The offset of the paddle blade to the shaft is designed to achieve a vertical blade position throughout the forward stroke. The smaller the offset the more the paddle is designed for shorter paddle strokes. The bigger the offset the more the paddle is designed for longer strokes. The one small set back for some consumers is its price point. It ranks amongst the top most expensive paddles on the market.
Werner SUP Paddle Conclusion
Some people will say that a paddle is a paddle. From the experience of the hundreds of hours spent on the water each season I definitely feel the difference in a quality SUP paddle.
I am sure, if you are looking for a reliable paddle, Werner's SUP paddles won’t disappoint. Buy a paddle for the environment you plan to use it in, and you’ll be out there putting in the hours as well. Honestly, it just makes paddling that much sweeter of an escape.
“Dreams don’t work unless you do”
Kimberley Kenyon
Badfish Team Athlete
AQ Outdoors Whitewater SUP and Splitboard Ambassador
Advanced and River 1 SUP Instructor Paddle Canada
@borntoboard.ca
Related SUP Articles
Complete Guide to Whitewater SUP
Mastering the Forward SUP Stroke
AQ Outdoors Contact
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Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
