Straight shafts

Ainsworth straight shafts are available in three types:

• Titanium enriched magnesium aluminium alloy shafts: strong but lightweight metal shafts, offering excellent value for money.
• Filament wound glassfibre/epoxy shafts: lighter than the alloy shafts. The filament wound construction aligns the fibres precisely to give maximum strength just where it is needed, allowing the lightest possible paddle for a given strength.
• Filament wound carbon shafts: the ultimate in strength and lightness, using the same filament wound construction but with carbon fibres (right).

Four piece splits

The straight shafts are also available as a lightweight four part split paddle, complete with tough carry bag. Click here for more details.

Crank shafts with ergo foam or sharkskin grip

There is now a choice of straight or crank shaft for most kayak paddles. The crank shaft combines the Ainsworth carbon shaft with titanium alloy grips to give a lightweight cranked paddle which is significantly stronger than competing plain carbon shafts, and offers superb value for money. The oval shaping of the grip contributes to a more positive feel – whilst reducing stress on vulnerable areas in the forearm and wrist.

All the crank paddles come with the new ‘shark-skin’ grip (left), which gives a positive hold of the paddle even when wet. Touring paddles also have the alternative option of an ergo foam grip for maximum comfort (right): the foam has the elasticity to mould to the hand, providing a stable base on which to pull.