Dragonboat Blog | The Dragonboating Resource

dragonboat talk for dragonboaters.

Ever thought what it’d be like to own a red or green colour dragonboat paddle? Well, Chinook have done it. A paddle that can be customised to any colour you choose or have it with the original carbon weave. Originally from Canada, Chinook has designed a really cool and funky carbon fibre paddle called the “Diablo”. The paddle weighs at 450gram or 16oz, which is reasonable and in comparison it’s a mid-range carbon fibre paddle.

The Diablo is constructed in 3 three separate pieces. What I didn’t really like was the round tubular shaft they use. Most manufacturers have adopted the elliptical shaft for better comfort and grip. The handle is also not joined straight into the shaft as other carbon fibre paddles are and this may make the handle weaker. I have heard of some breakages and had to get one replaced for a customer recently as well. Additionally a pink paddle I tried didn’t have the colour sprayed on well and it rubbed off easily whilst paddling.

The main difference between Chinook and other manufacturers is that it offers to make your dragonboat paddle in a range of colours, not just in black or the carbon fibre weave. Overall this paddle in my opinion is not well designed, it’s more about the “look”.

Chinook Black Diablo Paddle

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The Typhoon8 Dragonfly carbon fibre paddle is one of the nicest dragonboat paddle that I have seen around. It is beautifully finished in matte black with no joints except at the handle. The Typhoon8 logo and IDBF certification has been screen printed onto the paddle which stops these details from fading or coming off (most paddles I have tried and tested have stickers stuck onto the paddle and they come off over a period of time). It hasn’t been easy for Typhoon8 to get this paddle into the market after 12months of delays from getting it certified. Though the wait has been worth it.

One thing I have found in this paddle is that it retains the same feel as the wooden paddle with similar amount of flex. Typhoon8 has obviously chosen a different type of carbon fibre material to allow for this and this is why their paddle is not as stiff as the other paddles in the market. This may be a good thing for paddlers who have a tenancy for shoulder injuries. The only downside of this paddle is it’s weight at 520g or 18oz compared to other carbon fibre paddles which predominately sit around the 420g mark. I suspect it is the type of foam core they use within the paddle that adds this extra weight and it’s price point is justified by the extra weight.

Typhoon8 Dragonfly carbon fibre paddle

Overall a good beginner’s carbon fibre paddle to try out. Though, I would personally consider other lighter paddles in the market first for not much more in price.

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The Burnwater paddle was once a really high-performance dragonboat paddle with a good feel and well finished design. Since 2006, Burnwater has tarnished it reputation as the paddles began to “pop” and cause a bubble to form on it’s blade. The outcome was basically a paddle that looked like an over sized cricket bat. People have asked why did this happen? Burnwater as like any other manufacturers have environmental standards they have to obide by. When the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) banned toxic chemical substance from being used to create the blade’s foam core back in 2006, Burnwater had to change their foam core to use a water based substance. This was a good thing from EPA to help protect the environment and I completely support that. Though when this happened, Burnwater’s manufacturing processes and materials used had to be changed. This leads to the issue of a blade forming a bubble and not reacting well with the carbon fibre material that wraps around it.

In Australia for numerous years the Burnwater paddle was considered the best paddle to buy because of it’s well finished design. It was even endorsed by the Australian Dragonboat National team and AusDBF as their offical paddle to buy. Before the paddles began to pop, the blade was maximised to get a solid catch when pulling the paddle through the water. This gave paddlers greater results when used in competition and with every stroke they could “feel” the boat surge. Additionally, they were the only paddles around before other manufacturers came in with an ergonomic elliptical shaft, which gave a paddler better grip and performance.

Burnwater Paddle (New Model)

Burnwater paddles weighted in at approximately 420 – 450grams or 15 – 16oz on average. Since the issue of the bubble, Burnwater has had to compact their foam core even more to help with stablising the paddle from popping. This has increased the weight significantly to 520grams or 18oz, making it just as heavy as any other composite dragonboat paddles that are around.

I have not received any updates on how Burnwater has resolved their problem but for the time being I would be quite weary about using their new models until it has been fully tested in the marketplace. I see they also have advertised their new stoker paddles in Dragonboat World and it would be good to see if the issue of the bubble has been fixed after 2.5 years redesign.

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The Land & Ocean Fibro paddle is just what it is, a dragonboat paddle made from fibreglass. Most manufacturers design and mould canoe and kayak paddles from fibreglass and even use this material in boats. Therefore it is no surprise that someone would make a dragonboat paddle from fibreglass.

This paddle is a good replacement for wooden paddles as it is stronger and lighter than most wooden paddles. Many people would consider this paddle also because it looks like a carbon fibre paddle as the colour is in complete jet black and very plain as well. Only component it’s missing is the weight of a carbon fibre paddle. Overall it’s a paddle worth considering as anyone can use it for recreational or sports paddling. For around $110 AU it definitely costs less than a carbon fibre paddle.

Land & Ocean: Fibro

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The Merlin TD2 is in a league of it’s own, as it stands out to be a paddle at the top of the range of the composite paddle category. This paddle stands out because it is as good as a carbon fibre paddle offering similar properties of strength, durability and light weight. It is also a fraction of the price of a carbon fibre paddle. So why consider spending more?

The Merlin TD2 is the 2nd model that has been released since Merlin was established in 2006. The TD2 is made out of a material called Texalium (used in the Ski industry) and carbon fibre. A bit of background: Texalium is an aluminum coated fibre glass that is lighter and stronger than normal fibre glass and is used in the blade, where as the shaft is made out of carbon fibre. By combining these two materials is has given this paddle the strength and also light weight properties that most paddlers want.

Looks wise, it is a paddle that you either love the look of or hate. I’ll let the readers decide.

Merlin TD2 Paddle

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Composite paddles are becoming quite popular in dragonboating over the last couple of years. It has changed the way dragonboating looks and feels. Apex Composites manufacturers dragonboat paddles in Canada and has been very successful with the Apex Durablade paddle.

The Apex Durablade is an excellent solid paddle for clubs and individuals. As the name says “Durablade” – which is the most durable paddle around that I have seen and even the manufacturer says, “virtually indestructible”. I have seen many clubs purchase these paddles because they are very solid and are relatively light compared to wooden paddles. These paddles are categorised in the composite section, which means it is manufactured with a combination of either carbon fibre (one of the lights materials around), plastic and / or wood. By manufacturing a paddle this way it gives it strength, durability and also feels lighter.

The Apex Durablade is constructed with a plastic/fibreglass blade and T-grip with a carbon fibre shaft all in black colour. This paddle looks almost like a carbon-fibre paddle except it doesn’t weigh as light as a carbon fibre paddle. Overall I would recommend this paddle to teams who are looking to get a set as they normally will outlast wooden paddles due to it’s durable materials.

Apex Durablade

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