Need Opinions

[EODBrand]

I have my choice of two used paddles
1- Waterstick Zen Bent Carbon fiber Paddle for $225
or
2- Werner Player Paddle straight shaft for $150

Zen is 191cm

Werner is 192

I'm 5'10". Very new to the sport. Which should I go for?

[turboturtle]

Hands down the Werner Player. The oval shaping on the shaft at the handholds will allow you to identify the location of the blades no matter what.
Say your paddle gets ripped out of one hand as your getting hammered somewhere. It doesn't matter which end is which at this point. You will know where the flat side of a blade is through referencing this oval part of the shaft. You didn't mention the offset of either paddle. Not that important for a first paddle for a new paddler.
I finally broke down and purchased a bent shaft Werner, but I still prefer the strait shaft for playing and creeking. I think the bent shaft will help alleviate wrist strain on those longer flatter waterways. Good for us aging paddler types.

Spend the money saved on a good helmet.

My $0.02

Bob

[RomanLA]

Here's a link to the Werner page for the player. There's a size chart at the bottom of the page.
http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/wh ... um/player/

[okieboater]

go with the Werner

the player is a very good design and werner is now one of if not the best paddle manufacturer for building mass produced paddles

[Crane]

I have a Whetstone straight-shaft carbon fiber 194 cm almost new I'll let go for $200... 993-3645

[Renee H]

Werner!!! I had a Player and used Scott's old Powerhouse once, but I like the Sidekick the best.

[hellbender]

I 2nd the Werner SideKick for an all-around blade.It's got a nice large surface area for pickin-up water,rolling(youranewbie),and it might make you a stonger paddler.It'll get your boat up on the water and moving when you need it.I'll be sticking with a SideKick till they stop making them.lenght wise you might want a 194 and don't go with a 45*angled blades,30*or less.But experiment/borrow with them all and find the right length,blade,degree* that fits ya. Jodie B