Wanted: Raft Guide Paddle

[garya]

I am looking for a raft guide paddle similar to the carlisle guide paddle shown here.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Produc ... essed=true

If you have one for sale or know of any UK suppliers who stock these please let me know. At the moment I can only find short canoe paddles with blades that are too small for steering a raft. I am not fussed about the brand or exact model.

Thanks

Gary

[harrywatson]

Not that it is much use, and im hardly a raft guide expert, but I used a werner guide stick in America when rafting this year, felt really nice, maybe you could see if you can get one from the us?

[jackbay131]

What size/weight raft are u guiding? Did my training course and was told that your better off using the same paddle as the clients use. for three reasons
Guide sticks exert body breaking ammounts of strain on well ,your body. and guide sticks WILL lead to back problems.
If u drop it your going to have to use the spair which is the same as the clients anyway
And I guess this was them bigging themselfs up, that a good guide should be able to use any paddle they have .
But thats just me relaying what I was told, not me (ha at risk of pun) sticking my oar in

[Chris Putt]

JJs in Llangollen had some earlier in the year, or try contacting Eurocraft- they are able tget them for sure.

I much prefer one over a client paddle- They break to easily. There is something to be said for being able to guide with one though should you loose your guide stick. Whatever paddle you use, if you use it badly you can cause yourself damage to be honest, this goes for all kit?

I wish someone would start importing the werner guide sticks as there are a lot lighter than the carlisle guide paddles!