Gear Review: Werner Churchill Canoe Paddle

Value Rating: 7 Durability Rating: 9 Overall Rating: 9 Location of Test: Willamette River Duration of Test: Four days Product Name: Churchill Canoe Paddle Product Brand: Werner Paddles Best Use: Canoeing, canoe tripping / touring The Full Review: Werner's Churchill canoe paddle is a quality canoe tripping paddle with a good balance of weight and durability. This is a canoe paddle that excels on long days or weeks of paddling loaded or unloaded boats. I grew up with your classic wooden bent shaft paddles with fairly large blade heads. Wooden paddles are great and there’s nothing wrong with them. I love the feel and look of the wood, but after using the Werner Churchill on a multi-day trip this summer, I completely see the value of the lighter weight, more modern design. The weight savings are really significant and add up over a full day of paddling a loaded boat. The thinner fiberglass blade slices through the water effortlessly while the dihedral blade shape reduces flutter. Additionally, the carbon composite shaft and fiberglass blade make for stiffer and therefore more efficient and precise strokes. I also appreciate the smaller overall blade head which allows for a faster cadence and less strain on my arms and shoulders which allows for relaxed all day paddling. I just don't need the power that comes from a larger blade head when I'm just trying to put down some miles. The Good: The fiberglass blade is lightweight and efficient while also offering one the most impact and abrasion resistant materials out there. The blade and bent shaft design are optimized for all day paddling and with a loaded or unloaded boat. The Bad: The adjustable T-grip offers 8 inches of adjustment which is convenient if the paddle will be shared among paddlers of differing sizes. Unless you need that feature I believe it'll be much better to stick with the fixed length. This keeps the overall weight down and gives the paddle better balance. It also saves you a bit of money. The Bottom Line: This is a great all day and tripping paddle with a good balance of weight, efficiency, and durability. The Churchill will over great dependability for many years to come.