Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Ive been paddle shopping, and have decided to stay with the player. My question to you all, is have many of you had any experience with 0 degree?? Have you actually paddled with one, or what exactly do you think about them for whitewater paddling... i know for playboating it seems like it would be awesome... but im not sure for riverrunning.....

anyways im seriously thinking about trying one out, but i would like to get some input from some fellow boaters..... also, ive been reading lots of reviews and stories... here is a good one off of the noc site....


Why Chris Chose A Zero Degree Paddle:

Twenty years ago 90 degree paddles were prominent. Ten years ago the introduction of 60 and 45 degree paddles introduced a reformation to the sport of kayaking. Before all of these offsets (feather) were available there was only one. Zero degree paddles were the first types of paddles used. The reason for the introduction of a paddle feather was for the blade to slice through the wind. Some people feel that it is better ergonomics to use an offset. However, several people, myself included, feel a zero degree paddle simplifies strokes and rolling and reduces stress on your wrists and forearms. Unless you are constantly paddling with a headwind you will benefit from no offset.

A zero degree paddle reduces stress on your wrist by alleviating any "paddle twist" that normally happens from proper paddling technique with an offset. Zero offset also creates two "control hands" instead of just one, allowing your bottom hand during a stroke to be the "control" and the top hand to relax. Overall these two characteristics reduce "paddle fatigue."

Offset paddles inadvertently created what we call an "offside" in kayaking. Think of it this way, the paddle becomes both right and left hand controlled because there is no need for rolling of the wrists. So strokes, rolls, braces, are done the exact same on both sides. Rolling becomes easier because you have two blades with surface tension as opposed to one with and one without. This obviously makes playboating maneuvers easier as well. I have found that overall my daily boating has become more efficient, more simple, and overall more enjoyable.

Zero Degree Review by
Chris Wing

Seems like there was a pretty good thread about this topic not too long ago.

you might do some searching for it

there are lots of opinions on bent shaft versus straight

bottom line there are pro and con opinions on both and it makes for a great discussion between boaters.

hmm cant find it.... this thread isnt about the shaft though.. its about the blade offset...

Yeah...I think the other thread was mostly a discussion of straight vs. bent shaft. I can't comment on playboating, but I paddled flatwater and learned to roll initially with a 0 degree offset. I would say it's easier, but a windy day can really suck. However, I don't think a 30 degree offset really helps that much either. I usually go to a 45 degree offset when I'm paddling flatwater on a windy day. Your best bet would probably be to borrow the shortest flatwater paddle you can find and try it out on a lake or a flat section of river.

That is an excellent article, BooF. I agree with everything he says. But I also think this comes under the auspices of the Personal Preference Category!

About 4 years ago I went 0* and never looked back! Unless you include the first time I tried it. Forgot and rotated my right wrist for a left side stroke, sliced the blade and followed it right on over! But other than that, it was a very short learning curve. I came from 45*. I took all of my 45* sticks and had them shortened and converted to breakdowns with 0* & 45* options. My lovely & charming gave me a Double Diamond one Christmas, also 0*. I use strictly straight shafts which made it easy to convert all my sticks. If I used bent shafts, I would certainly use 0* offset.

The original reason was for playboating. For me it’s a lot faster, and more intuitive to have no offset. When I teach people to kayak I always try to emphasize that contrary to popular belief, there is no off-side. There is a right side and a left side and both sides should be “on”! I agree with the article that a zero degree supports this theory. I, too, find it easier and more intuitive to roll in a crux situation on both sides with 0*.

Once I made my conversion, I found that I preferred it for river running and creeking as well. For much the same reasons. I don’t really do any flatwater kayaking (unless there is a paddle out on a whitewater run) so I don’t even consider wind. Usually wind is the least of my concerns!

When I paddle flatwater, I am in a canoe. At least for now! But were I to paddle flatwater or open water kayaks, I would probably go for the offset for wind considerations. Plus, (and I’ll probably get hammered on this one) you really aren’t needing to make the side to side or blade to blade transition with your blades as quickly as you might in a playboating or quick creeking scenario.

Most of the boaters I know who use an offset use no more than 15-20 degrees. Certainly no more than 30. And they have good and valid reasons for using an offset. I don’t even know if they make 90* anymore for whitewater, but that is way too much and puts way too much strain on the wrist. For me anymore, 45* seems like a lot of strain compared to ziltch.

But mostly I think it is just a matter of what one likes and feels right! And is a good topic for hanging around the campfire swilling a frosty cold one! Especially since I think there is no "right" or "wrong" on this one!

I've been paddling with a thirty degree offset paddle for the last fourteen years. Needless to say they have all been special order. This offset coupled with a 196cm length. I took ribbing for paddling with this combo for several years. Now their are many playboaters choosing to go fifteen and zero degrees.
Since going to this degee offset I have had far fewer wrist issues. I just purchased a thirty degree bentshaft but have only played with it once. I'm anxious to see if this makes any difference on the really long hauls. I think I'll stick with a strait shaft for creeking as I am most familiar with where it is no matter what happens. I might have to try a zero or 15d. someday.

i just purchased a straight shaft player 0 degree... when it gets here.. ill tell yall the bizzz

Not to mention, the author of the quoted article, Chris Wing, happens to be an outstanding human being who is living according to his principles. He truly is an admirable human being who also happens to be a very good kayaker.

still not here... should be soon... update will follow...