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Independent paddle review: H2O TEAM

H2O Paddles

Launched in September of 2005, H2O Paddles have the benefit of Steve "Blondie" Horvath's experience in starting their company, and the lessons he learned launching Waterstick Paddles in 2000. Waterstick ran into problems immediately when the demand for the paddles outstripped production and service capacities, a mistake which H2O is taking great efforts to avoid. Furthermore, the H2O Team paddle feels as though it has been built to withstand nuclear war, another reaction to some of the durability issues that plagued Waterstick in the beginning.

I've been using the H2O Team for the last 3 weeks and have found it to be comparable to any premium level paddle on the market while still coming in at the low end of the price range for high performance paddles.

Grip

A few years ago I developed a debilitating addiction to a medical substance called Santopreneâ„¢. Oh, don't look for it in any back alleys or at your favorite crack house; it's not even a controlled substance -- though it probably should be. Santopreneâ„¢ was originally developed to be used on surgical tools like scalpels to keep them from becoming slippery when wet - a noble cause. But like many modern miracle technologies, it soon fell into the wrong hands; specifically, kayakers' hands. Seriously, once you've used Santopreneâ„¢ grips, nothing else compares performance-wise: if you have no intention of feeding the addiction for the rest of your life, don't start.

Fortunately, H2O Paddles can now slake the kayaker's need for Santopreneâ„¢ cheaply and effectively with two mid-range and one high range models.

Strength

While it's impossible to say just how foolproof a paddle will be once it's been given to the extreme foolishness that seems to surround whitewater kayakers after only 5 months, anyone who has owned a paddle or two will feel the strength of this paddle immediately.

Blades

The blades of the H2O Team and H2O-2 are composed of a nylon-based injection molded thermoplast developed in conjunction with DuPont. At first they might feel a little under-powered, but I found that when I called for more juice during fast maneuvers or set-ups, they delivered ample force. An improvement over the original Waterstick blades is the lateral or edge-on movement of the blades during draw strokes or flatwater moves - no drag there. Nor did I experience any of the fluttering that some other manufacturer's blade profiles are prone to.

Shaft

The shaft is a bit stiffer than some paddles on the market, but the impact energy from hitting rocks is somewhat abated by the blades. If you take this paddle and bend it against the floor to get an idea for the flex pattern, you will notice that the majority of the flex is in the blades. If you are one who doesn't like bent-shaft paddles because of how they tend to twist in your hands, this could be the paddle that makes you a convert - the grips counter-act the torsional force and the wrist alignment benefits are a nice benefit.

Between the grips, the ergonomics and the blade profile, the H2O Team paddle has an exceptionally surefooted and nimble feel that translates into an immediate confidence boost -- once again I felt as though I knew for sure the angle and position of the blades at any given moment. With a solid grip in place, I also found myself not burning my forearms out immediately and that I was able to use my wrists and hands more freely in making minor adjustments.

This is a paddle that will withstand years of hard abuse and deliver high performance for less money than most other manufacturers. If you do a lot of creeking, try one out to see if you should consider buying a longer shaft or not. Playboaters should hesitate only if they have chronic joint problems that necessitate a very flexible shaft. But taken as a whole, this is an excellent paddle which I highly recommend.

For Playak,
-David Weber

PROS

• Santopreneâ„¢ grips
• Excellent ergonomics
• Smooth, flutterless blade design
• High durability
• Lower cost

CONS

• Stiffer shaft

Summary

Excellent grip, feel and maneuverability in a mid price range paddle. The shaft is a little stiff, but the blades absorb impact well. My complaints were minor and insignificant in light of the benefits provided by the grips and ergonomics, and largely a cost/benefit casualty of making a near indestructible paddle. Highly recommended for creeking, playing and/or general use.

Links

H2O Homepage
Technology
Dealers

Detail photos

Cover shot
Forward stroke
Draw stoke
At rest
Run silent, run deep
Ken in situ