Storage and Maintenance Tips:

• To prevent warping, always hang a blank or paddle in a cool, dry place rather than laying it flat or leaning against a wall.
• Store your paddle in a reasonably clean, dry, and well-ventilated place out of the sun. A musty corner on the shady side of the garage or a leaky shed is asking for trouble.
• Disassemble break-down paddles when not in use. While wood rot is unlikely, if the paddle is stored too often with water trapped in the ferrule, rot could occur if the end of the shaft is not well sealed. Wooden paddles can rot if the wood absorbs too much dirt (a source of spores) and water (which allows the spores to germinate and grow). In extreme cases, water absorption could also lead to de-lamination. Wood swells as it absorbs water, and various pieces may swell unequally, stressing the glued joints.
• Don't leave your paddle lying in hot sun. Even though most paddles are made with kiln-dried wood, they may warp under these circumstances.
• Don't push off the shore with the grip end - repairing the grip alters the shape of it and it may no longer be comfortable.
• When you have to pole in shallow water, be careful where you plant your tip, and push carefully. Don't twist it between tree roots or rocks.

Repair Tips:

• Always sand the area that you are gluing. This will allow the best possible bond. Gluing or repairing without sanding may not hold.
• To refresh the finish, you need only dull the shine by rubbing with fine sandpaper or steel wool. Wipe clean, then revarnish with marine spar varnish. Urethane-based varnishes will not bond - don't use them. All paddles acquire scratches and the tips get scuffed bare. Try to refinish before the tip gets bare, before it sucks water into the wood. When the paddle dries out again, it may crack.

Paddling Tips:

• Your top arm should not be too high or over your head when paddling. A paddle too long will not allow your top and bottom arms to work together. This could result in joint or shoulder problems.
• If you use a fast stroke rate, a narrower blade is more efficient and less tiring. Most all of the top pro canoeist use 8" to 8 1/4" wide blades.
• Most people are learning that bent shaft canoe paddles are out performing straight paddles. You have to be careful on selecting the proper angle of your paddle. A 12 degree bent shaft is a perfectly balanced paddle that will allow your top and bottom arms to work equally. Your back will also be in a better position to get maximum power into your stoke. You will be able to increase your stroke rate easier as your arms and back will be in the proper position when you start your sprint. The 14+ degrees work well but it favors your bottom arm and forearms. Straight paddles favor your top arm power and don't have the proper angle coming through the water as the bent shafts do. Bent shafts clear the bow of the canoe easier when switching sides as the blade is angled upward.