Algonquin Adventures / Bent shaft paddles

**Posted by Jdbonney** 8/28/2025 8:22 am

So I saw a few people on my trip around kiosk last weekend using bent shaft paddles. I have used them in the past and I’m considering getting them for my wife and I. Does anyone know of a place in southern Ontario(I’m in halton region, but I spend a lot of time in the Peterborough area too) I could go to try them out on the water?

**Posted by IanTendy** 8/28/2025 9:05 am

I live in Hamilton but work in Mississauga. I've got a relatively short one you could borrow if you wanted.
Email iantendy@gmail.com if you're interested!

**Posted by swedish pimple** 8/28/2025 9:12 am

i picked up my bent blade paddle at "the maz paddle shop" ,
      bending branches brand , black pearl model
the shop is on highway 41 just north of 7 in cloyne ont. great people
   check out " red tail paddle company "in hastings ,, i have several here that i use,
   a bent blade paddle and super lite butternut ,,

**Posted by Jdbonney** 8/28/2025 7:05 pm

IanTendy wrote:
I live in Hamilton but work in Mississauga. I've got a relatively short one you could borrow if you wanted.
Email iantendy@gmail.com if you're interested!

thanks. I may take you up on that.

**Posted by Jdbonney** 8/28/2025 7:07 pm

swedish pimple wrote:
i picked up my bent blade paddle at "the maz paddle shop" ,
      bending branches brand , black pearl model
the shop is on highway 41 just north of 7 in cloyne ont. great people
   check out " red tail paddle company "in hastings ,, i have several here that i use,
   a bent blade paddle and super lite butternut ,,

thanks. I can get over to Hastings easily enough, I’ll look into it.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 8/28/2025 8:33 pm

I've paddled with the bent shaft over 15 years now. Definitely more efficient for flat water, noticeably so. Some thoughts:

1. I own 3 BB Black Pearl paddles, oldest is around 10 years. Excellent overall. No issues with durability.

2. I've paddled Ripple FX Paddle. This will be my next paddle. Handmade in London, ON. Even lighter than the Black Pearl. Extremely customizable. This guy makes them for marathon caneoeing, but Adam Shoalts uses it for his trips. More recently, he added a modification that improves durability of the tip.

3. Echo Paddles, made in Quebec, just outside Ottawa. If you prefer wood, bombproof paddles. They are also heavier. Bombproof. If you have good shoulder strength and want a wood paddle, I'd think about this.

https://www.echopaddles.com/
https://www.ripplefxpaddles.com/

Cheers
Marko

Last edited by Marko_Mrko (8/28/2025 8:37 pm)

**Posted by Jdbonney** 8/28/2025 8:46 pm

Marko_Mrko wrote:
I've paddled with the bent shaft over 15 years now. Definitely more efficient for flat water, noticeably so. Some thoughts:

1. I own 3 BB Black Pearl paddles, oldest is around 10 years. Excellent overall. No issues with durability.

2. I've paddled Ripple FX Paddle. This will be my next paddle. Handmade in London, ON. Even lighter than the Black Pearl. Extremely customizable. This guy makes them for marathon caneoeing, but Adam Shoalts uses it for his trips. More recently, he added a modification that improves durability of the tip.

3. Echo Paddles, made in Quebec, just outside Ottawa. If you prefer wood, bombproof paddles. They are also heavier. Bombproof. If you have good shoulder strength and want a wood paddle, I'd think about this.

https://www.echopaddles.com/
https://www.ripplefxpaddles.com/

Cheers
Marko

Thanks for all that. Not sure I want to go carbon…..but worth checking them out. The ripplefx look amazing.