Grey Owl Sprite Canoe Paddle – Bent Shaft

The Grey Owl  Sprite Canoe Paddle is the standard of bent shaft design. Ideal for “sit and switch” technique even for beginners. This wooden canoe paddle has a 12 degree shaft Angle

Grip: 3 ply laminated basswood, scroll style

Shaft: 8 ply laminated basswood, oval 1 ¼” x 1 1⁄16”, 12° angle

Blade: 7 ply laminated basswood and butternut

Blade Cross Section Style: flat power face, cambered back face

Tip Material & Style: casting epoxy, straight

Finish: high gloss exterior polyurethane with UV block

Overall Length: 48” 50” 52” 54”
Shaft Length: 28” 30” 32” 34”
Blade Length: 20” 20” 20” 20”
Blade Width: 8” 8” 8” 8”
Blade Area (sq in): 105 105 105 105
Average Weight (oz): 19 20 21 22

Usage: lightweight training or entry-level sit and switch style paddling

(Please note the Sprite is a bent shaft paddle so will be sized smaller as per details below)

Sizing your Recreational Paddle
Regardless of the model of straight or bent shaft paddle you have selected, the overall length should be determined by the shaft length from the top of the grip to the throat of the paddle.

The following formula applies: the shaft length should equal the distance from ones shoulder to the water line of the canoe. This will allow you to paddle below your eyes with your upper hand while keeping your lower hand close to the throat.

To determine the approximate length sit erect on a flat hard chair or the floor and measure the distance from the surface to your chin. Add 6” for the approximate distance the canoe seat would be from the waterline. Thus a person whose chin to chair measurement is 26” would add 6” to arrive at a 32” shaft length. Looking at the specifications of our various models you would find that you would probably use a 50” Touring Bent Shaft, a 54” Voyageur or a 56” Chieftain. A one or two inch variation would not have much effect in usage so try for the closest shaft length for the model chosen. Remember to consider that canoe seat heights vary as might a ‘comfort range’ that you might feel more suited to.

The only exception to this rule would be paddles used in white water and those similar to Grey Owls Hammerhead paddle or other white water paddles. A completely different technique is used for pure white water canoeing and you may end up adding approximately 12” to your chin to chair length.