Is Our Aerial Whitewater Paddle for You?
5-minute read + 12-minute video
Aqua Bound’s Aerial whitewater kayak paddle uses revolutionary technology that makes it the most durable paddle on the market. How do you know if you need such a beefy paddle?
Long before Seth West joined our team as our social media guru, he’s been an avid whitewater kayaker. He is an ideal voice for our Aerial whitewater paddle and can help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
We asked him to weigh in on a few questions to help you make your buying decision:
AQUA BOUND: At what skill level should a whitewater kayaker be before considering investing in an Aerial model?
SETH: People tend to take their first few steps into the whitewater realm with a plastic paddle, whether that's a loaner from a friend or buying the least expensive option off Marketplace. These inexpensive options are a great way to start. But the farther a paddler makes it into the class scale (1-2-3-4-5), the more worth it a composite paddle becomes.
With each step up, the need for a responsive, reliable paddle becomes all the more important. If you're paddling Class III regularly and borrow someone's composite paddle, you'll probably notice a massive difference in performance.
If you're paddling Class IV regularly, you're going to need that response and power to make quicker moves and solid boofs. If you've stepped into Class V, the most exciting quality of this paddle is its durability, which is the Aerial's biggest standout feature in the current market.
AQUA BOUND: How can a newer whitewater kayaker know which of the dozen models to choose (i.e., crank shaft, feathering angle, et cetera)?
SETH: This is always tricky as it comes down to personal preference. Some people argue that any feather less than 45 degrees is criminal, and simultaneously those who say that 0 degrees is absolute perfection (almost inarguably the case for those who spend almost all of their time playboating).
A really nice thing about the Aerial series is the option to buy a super solid two-piece paddle that gives you some length adjustment to find the exact length for you, as well as adjusting feathering. That option is even more amazing for multi-discipline boaters who want a shorter paddle with a 0-degree offset for playboating and a longer paddle with a 30 or 45-degree offset for creeking and river running.
While the two-piece is a bit more expensive than its one-piece counterpart, it's still much cheaper (and easier to transport) than two separate paddles.
Crank vs straight is also an argument for the ages. I've dabbled with both over the years. Sometimes my shoulders, elbows and wrists feel like they need a break from the toils of the biggest blade option straight shaft, so I'll opt for a smaller blade for a season or two with a crank shaft.
Generally, I prefer a straight shaft for its simplicity and feel. Again, it all comes down to preference. If you can, you should really try both and see what fits your style best.
AQUA BOUND: Since using an Aerial yourself now for a season or two, can you predict its lifespan compared to other whitewater paddles?
SETH: The first thing I noticed when I picked up my production Aerial was just how stout it felt. Given that it was brand new to the market, I was a bit unsure how it would truly hold up. I'm notoriously hard on my gear—most things don't last me more than a year or two.
After a full season of pushing myself on highwater winter and spring laps, followed by a whole summer of low-water slicing and playboating, I've been amazed by how confident I still feel in this paddle.
Typically I start to have increasing anxiety for every lap I take with a new paddle after a few months just thinking, “Today is the day it snaps,” on each lap. But with my carbon Aerial Major, I feel like I trust it even more each time I take it out.
About Aerial Major and Minor Whitewater Kayak Paddles
We introduced the Aerial collection of whitewater paddles in the fall of 2023 after months of design, prototypes and field testing by experienced kayakers around the world.
Every Aerial model features our revolutionary Lam-LokTM blade construction. This is the secret sauce that sets them above their competitors.
Watch the video below as Aqua Bound president Jason Eccles shows how this exciting technology works:
Our collection includes the Aerial Major line and the Aerial Minor line. The difference between the two is in the blade size. The Major blades offer maximum power for larger, stronger kayakers while the Minor blades allow for maximum cadence and cater to smaller kayakers.
Both Major and Minor are available as:
- 1-piece, 2-piece or 4-piece
- Carbon or fiberglass
- Straight shaft or crank shaft
When you order a 1-piece model, you choose one of eight feathering angles (or unfeathered). The 2 and 4-piece models use our robust Versa-LokTM ferrule system that allows up to 5cm of length adjustability and infinite offset angles.
See our Aerial Collection here.
A big thanks to Seth West for his input and photos here! You can follow Seth on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us here: 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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