Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

After having a discussion in another thread http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... =1&t=11233, I ordered a Werner Desperado from a company over the phone because they did not have the lower end Werners on their website.

Today, I decided to call them up to check on the status of my order. I found out that instead of the Desperado 194 - 0 degree I thought I had ordered, they sent and charged me for a Werner Player 194 - 0 degree, about $42 more.

Should I go through the hassel of sending it back? I know the Player is designed for playboating; how does it work for river running? Is it a durable paddle?

Thanks!

Hi Regud -

As a firm believer in the Werner Player, I feel obligated to help you make your decision about which paddle to get. I have owned a 194cm and now own a 191cm Carbon Player (30 deg. offset I believe).

I don't know what type of paddling you do most often, but I have found that the Player fits my every need, whether it be playboating, creeking, or river running. I assume you are talking about the Fiberglass Player. I looked at the specs compared to the Desperado and found that the Player has a little larger surface area (675 sq. in. vs. 655) and also has a large blade length and width (48 x 20 vs. 41 x 19.5). The Player is also a little lighter, weighing in at 936g instead of 1021 for the Desperado (all measurements are for the 197cm). These don't seem like big differences but as you use the Player you will begin to appreciate the slight differences.

For playboating the Player's downturned blades make for a quicker entry into the water. I also find that the slightly larger blades are useful for catching small eddies while creeking. The blades are also more beneficial when a little extra power is needed (like gaining speed to boof or punch a hole) and when powering through moving water or pools.

I actually used a Desperado on the Mulberry Sunday for just a short time and immediately found it to be heavier and more sluggish to respond than the Player. (Had to retrieve the Desperado from an eddy then paddle through a rapid with it to return it to it's owner). Maybe it's just my personal paddling style or preference, but I was glad to get my Player back.

If you want one paddle that can do it all and that will withstand the test of time, the Player is for you. Hope this has helped. SYOTR!

Thanks for sharing your experience with both paddles. Yes, the Player they sent is the fiberglass one. I am not into playboating, at least not yet, and primarily do river running. The hassle of sending the paddle back and waiting for a custom Desperado to be made and shipped, does not appeal to me.

The price on the Player is actually very good compared to other retailers I have seen, $212 shipped.

Keep the paddle man, its a way better paddle.

I have a Player and, other than a little surfing, I don't do any playboating either. The main reason I bought the Player was because I have two bad shoulders and the downturned blades allow me to get the paddle in the water with the least amount of vertical extension. I highly recommend the bent shaft, also.

Take care of your joints and they'll take care of you.

I'll let you try out my Sherpa at the roll session next week if you'd want to trade for it!

I've got the Werner player as well, and I love mine. It does just fine for creeking as well as playing.
Jessica hit the nail on the head. As did Tim. Keep it, you won't be disappointed.
Joe

Is the paddle same length and offset that you wanted to get?
(If yes, I would keep, if length was same or shorter I would keep, if offset was greater (like 45 when you wanted 30, or 30 and you wanted 15) then I would send back.)

Would the company pay return shipping? (if not, the cost difference becomes even less and you'd be trading down to boot)

I don't own a Player, but have never met someone who owned one and didn't like their paddle. Some of those owners have already spoken above...

Sounds like you accidentally got the right paddle. Congrats on that, and with all the thumbs up, you should feel pretty good about the purchase, albeit $42 more then you budgeted.

I am more curious about the company that substitutes a more expensive product, up-charges your credit card and does not communicate that with you. That is not normally an accepted practice. Care to disclose them?

In the end, it sounds like it has worked out for you and that is what matters.

According to the invoice, the paddle being sent is a Player(not Desperado) with the length, shaft, and offset I wanted. So outside of have blades I was not expecting, it is the paddle I ordered.

I am kind of curious what will actually be delivered. I guess I need to check my credit card to see what was actually charged.

It is scheduled for delivery next Tuesday. It will be like Christmas, not really sure what I am getting...

For those who have asked, the company is Olympic Outdoor Center, http://www.kayakproshop.com. They seem to have pretty good prices on their site for the higher end Werner paddles.

I never did post a follow up.

When the paddle came in it was the Desperado I had wanted, so I checked my credit card and was only charged for the Desperado. I guess the company screwed up on their paperwork but got it right in the end.

The Desperado looks like a paddle I can be the crap out of without hurting it. The Player would have been nice, but I am happy with what I got.