ADJUSTABLE FERRULE (Ferrule Care Tips)

Our patented Adjustable Ferrule System is a break-through and innovative design that is now standard on all our Performance Core, Performance and Premium Touring models. In 2005, Werner Paddles was awarded U.S. patent #6881111.

This elegant and easy to use design has a precise fit that adds performance and long life, that won’t loosen up over time. Simply push the button and pull, twist to desired offset, push to snap back together. Adjusts Left or Right in 15 degree increments with no added weight or extra pieces to lose our professional design is the most functional and advanced Adjustable Ferrule System available.

PERFORMANCE CORE

Our Performance Core lines combine all of our most advanced designs and technology to offer you ultimate paddle performance.

With the right amount of volume our technical performance core design creates a profile that displaces water for a significantly lighter, buoyant feel on the water. The added buoyancy is exceptional for enhancing rolls in aerated water, stable bracing, and long paddle outings. The smooth back profile increases paddle performance by allowing water to flow uninterrupted during maneuvering strokes for smooth fluid control.

For added durability we mold a layer of Dynel around the edge and double layer in the tip where paddles are prone to abuse. For the varying demands of whitewater we include an impact resistant layer of Kevlar.

SWING WEIGHT

Swing weight is important, especially with touring paddles. It’s the blade weight you lift during a stroke. A paddle with a good swing weight will reduce fatigue, be well balanced, and have light weight blades. In contrast, a paddle with heavy blades will offer an undesirable swing weight and may fatigue a kayaker quickly.

This illustration is a dramatic explanation showing the concept of undesirable swing weight. Be aware that published weights do not indicate swing weight. Two paddles may publish the same weight yet have very different swing weights. One may have weight savings in the blades with a good swing weight, while another has all the weight savings in the shaft with a less desirable swing weight.

A simple test of swing weight is to hold a paddle horizontal with one hand and tip it from side to side. It should be light and balanced. Compare several paddles and note the difference in swing weights.

Werner paddles have carefully distributed weight to be well balanced and offer a light swing weight. For even lighter swing weights we offer all our Performance models in a light weight carbon fiber construction.

You're smart, you do the math. On any outing it doesn't take long for a few ounces to quickly add into pounds.

HIGH AND LOW ANGLE

In sea kayak touring there are two common, yet very different, paddling styles, Low Angle and High Angle. These styles correlate to the angle of the shaft in relation to the surface of the water.

Low Angle is the most common paddling style. It is a more relaxed touring style and relaxed cadence. Our Low Angle designs have longer and narrower blades designed to pull through each stroke with the right amount of surface area for good power while maintaining a smooth forward stroke.

High Angle paddling is typically a more aggressive style of paddling with a faster cadence and a larger variety of strokes being used on each paddle outing.

Our high angle designs have short wide blades for a powerful catch and stroke with a slight dihedral for smooth linking strokes. High Angle designs work best when used with shorter paddle lengths of 205cm - 215cm. The combination of shorter paddle length and a shorter wide blade allows the right amount of balanced blade area to enter the water sooner, supporting a faster cadence, without having to over extend the upper arm.

Click here to ensure a great fit for your specific style and needs Werner offers several blade sizes in both Low and High Angle designs.

STANDARD AND SMALL DIAMETER SHAFT

Shaft size, or correctly stated, shaft diameter, not only matters but is very important in choosing a good fitting paddle. Hands come in different sizes and a shaft size that is properly fit allows a paddler to maintain a light grip, thus dramatically reducing fatigue while increasing comfort and control.
For this reason Werner offers two shaft sizes (diameters), standard and small, in both straight and Neutral Bent shafts on our Performance, Premium and Recreational lines.
Measure your hand from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm.

Small Diameter Shaft fit
6.5" and below
XS-M size gloves

Standard Diameter Shaft fit
7" and over
M-XL size gloves

Please try both if you measure between 6.5” – 7”

If you’re still not sure what diameter shaft you would like. Look for our sizing chart at your local Werner Paddle retailer and don’t forget to check out our fun Interactive Guide to Great Fit!

NEUTRAL BENT SHAFT

The key benefits that are unique to our Neutral Bent Shaft are, natural alignment of the wrist reducing strain and fatigue, stable leverage point during ALL stokes which increases comfort and an advanced grip that fits the natural contour of your hand. The shaft is lighter weight with Werner’s bomber durability.

STRAIGHT SHAFT

In comparison to our Neutral Bent Shaft, a paddler can maintain a natural wrist alignment by lightly loosening the outer fingers of the non-control hand during a stroke. Kayakers like our straight shaft because they are light weight, durable and allow a paddler to move their hands along a predictable, straight, and continuous grip area. Our shafts are legendary in the paddling community as the "bomber" shaft.

ASYMMETRICAL BLADE SHAPE

This illustration explains how asymmetry reduces torque. Torque is the twisting motion of the shaft caused by unequal pressure on each half of the blade as it enters and exits the water. The dotted line shows the blade area that was cut away to create an asymmetrical blade shape. Note how the blue and orange colored areas above and below the centerline are virtually equal. This creates near equal amounts of force on each half of the blade as it enters and exits the water. When these forces are equalized, torque is minimized, allowing your paddle to pull smoothly through the water, reducing the need to over-grip your paddle to overcome torque.

DIHEDRAL ANGLE

Our dihedral illustration shows the flow of water off the dihedral of our touring blade designs. Notice how the powerface is angled from the center of the blade. This angle is called a dihedral. The dihedral angle concept comes from the discovery that a curved plane gives direction to the flow of water off the blade. During a forward stroke water builds up on the powerface of a non-dihedral blade. To expel this build up, a non-dihedral blade will flutter back and forth. Therefore, by adding a dihedral angle to our blade design, water is given direction to flow easily off the blade, minimizing flutter and the gripping effort needed to overcome the flutter.

CROSS SECTION – Performance Core Touring

Performance Core: The Strong Dihedral combined with the smooth back of our Performance Core touring designs creates the right combination for both smooth forward strokes and smooth sculling strokes. The smooth back also allows water to flow uninterrupted, creating very little turbulence for an extremely quiet entry and exit.

CROSS SECTION – Touring

Reducing fatigue, our Low Angle touring models are designed with a strong dihedral that reduces flutter for an exceptionally smooth forward stroke.

CROSS SECTION – Performance Core Whitewater

With no dihedral angle our Performance Core Whitewater blades are designed to be the ultimate in smooth maneuvering strokes. Whitewater paddlers especially appreciate the added stability and buoyancy of the performance core when playing in aerated foam piles.

CROSS SECTION – Whitewater

The slight dihedral on our Whitewater and High Angle Touring models creates a profile for smooth linking strokes and a powerful catch.

CROSS SECTION – Recreational Whitewater

The slight dihedral on our Whitewater and High Angle Touring models creates a profile for smooth linking strokes and a powerful catch.