With Werner’s recent release of its new Stealth and Covert paddles, designed and tested closely with Dane Jackson and some of the other best paddlers in the world, Werner continues to up its game in the world of whitewater paddles.
PL checks in with Dane on the design and release of the two new blades, while offering a sneak peak at what they entail.
Dane’s Take
“Although there are great paddle designs out there, to me it always felt like we were always having to make a choice between strength or modern design,” says four-time-straight Green Race winner Dane, who narrowly took second by three seconds this year to Kaelin Friedenson. “I really wanted to finally have a paddle that had the best power, control, and confidence, while also having the strength to trust it can survive on all types of whitewater. I am truly stoked on where we ended up with the Stealth.”
He also has high praise for the Covert. “It’s the smaller size for smaller paddlers,” he says. “It gives you all the power and control you want in a forward bend paddle, but we made sure it still had a stable shape for feathering through the water and won’t dive on you. We also made sure that you had all the power in the backstroke by keeping a flatter surface area, which is great for anything from corrections to stern squirts. For me it’ll be the one and done paddle I have been waiting to have, and I am so STOKED to finally be able to help release it. Look for a YouTube video walking through the design on my channel soon.”
The Blades in a Nutshell
The Stealth
The Stealth is Werner’s latest advanced/race paddle. It combines Werner’s blade forward, buoyant profile, with slender edges, reducing resistance during entry and exit, as well as the blade inserted into the shaft at the throat for seamless look and feel. A full-sized down river race inspired blade shape for maximum power. Bullet point highlights:
- Increased blade to shaft offset and blade forward design gives a more powerful catch and more verticality through the power phase.
- Optimized materials and manufacturing techniques to obtain lower weight, remain strong and provide a comfortable flex. Less fatigue on your body overall, for the longer races.
Shaft Option: Bent
Pieces: 1 Piece
Weight Grams: 978g.
Weight Ounces: 34.5oz.
Length Range: 162cm-230cm in 1cm increments.
Feather Angle: Fixed. L or R. 0 to 90 in 5 degree increments.
Blade Surface Area: 700 cm2
Blade Length x Width: 45.2cm X 20cm
The Covert
The little sibling to the Stealth, the Covert is another advanced/race paddle combining Werner’s blade forward, buoyant profile, with slender edges, reducing resistance during entry and exit. Its unique design characteristics make it light and fast. Bullet point highlights:
- Blade inserted into the shaft at the throat for seamless look and feel.
- A mid-sized down river race inspired blade shape for a higher cadence stroke.
- With an increased blade to shaft offset, this blade forward design gives a more powerful catch and more verticality through the power phase.
- We’ve optimized materials and manufacturing techniques to obtain lower weight, remain strong and provide a comfortable flex. Less fatigue on your body overall, for the longer races.
- Note: Design features that make this paddle fast also make for a unique feel in your hands. Bracing and rolling are different. Werner did not intend it to be an all-around paddle for beginners or intermediates.
Shaft Option: Bent
Pieces: 1 Piece
Weight Grams: 964g.
Weight Ounces: 34oz.
Length Range: 190cm-203cm in 1cm increments.
Feather Angle: Fixed. L or R. 0 to 90 in 5 degree increments.
Blade Surface Area: 650 cm2
Blade Length x Width: 48cm x 20cm
Info: Stealth and Covert
More Info: https://wernerpaddles.com
Read about this year’s Green Race HERE!