Black Pearl Premium Carbon Touring Canoe Paddle

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Details
Black Pearl Canoe Paddle

The Black Pearl canoe paddle has the quality craftsmanship and durability you expect from Bending Branches, but with the sleek look and strength-to-weight ratio only polished aviation-grade carbon can provide. With it's bent, oval shaped shaft, "traditional" touring blade and more comfortable grip design, this Black Pearl canoe paddle is ideal for long distances over flat water.

The Black Pearl Premium Carbon Touring Canoe paddle truly brings lightweight performance to a whole new level!

Product Specifications
Blade Size: 
8.1" x 19"
Grip Type: 
Palm Grip
Lengths Available: 
48 in
49 in
50 in
51 in
52 in
53 in
54 in
Rockgard Color: 
Black
Shaft Type: 
Aviation Grade Carbon : Shaft is tapered for more natural feel and comfort.
Weight: 
15 oz
Find Your Size

Touring Canoe Paddle Characteristics

  • Designed for flat water cruising on lakes and rivers.
  • Rugged enough for heavy use – strong shafts, resin-tipped blades.
  • Some have fiberglass-wrapped blades, good for heavy use in wilderness tripping.
  • Most are available with both straight and bent shafts.

While many methods exist, a simple and accurate way is to measure your torso. Sit up straight on a flat surface and measure from the surface in between your legs to your nose. Follow the chart below:

Canoe Paddle Sizing Chart
Torso Size Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle Length
20" N/A
22" N/A
24" N/A
26" 48"
28" 50"
30" 52"
32" 54"
34" 56"
36" N/A
38" N/A

An easy way to measure in the field is to place the grip of the paddle between your legs (while sitting) and mark where the shoulder is (where blade meets shaft). The shoulder on a straight shaft should be at your forehead; the shoulder on a bent shaft should be at your nose. Note: this is only a guideline to sizing. Seat height, style of paddling, and arm length can all effect the size you need. Demo paddling is always recommended.

Canoe Paddle Sizing Video
Buy Local
Dealer search can use one of the following methods:
  • City, State/Province for United States or Canada
  • United States or Canadian Postal Code
  • United States or Canadian State/Province, full name or abbreviation
  • The name of a country.

Please Note
We’ve done our best to show you the dealers in your area who carry our products. However, please call ahead to make sure your local dealer has the specific product you want in the specific size you need. In the unlikely event that you can’t find exactly what you want, any of our dealers will gladly handle your special order for any Bending Branches paddle. All of our paddles are readily available from our factory.

Product Video
A quick tour of the Black Pearl Canoe Paddle by Bending Branches.

Comments

Submitted by bb_admin on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:11
Its traditional touring blade (8.1″ x 19″) is of course, wider and longer than a standard recreational model. The difference is noticeably felt through the power phase of strokes, as well as a greater sense of control. More material, however, didn’t feel like a trade-off in the weight; Black Pearl’s 14oz is still very svelte, especially for a touring blade. It was a good thing to have on the bigger lakes especially. That sense of control is further aided by the 11° bent shaft, but also by its oval shape. Here, the feel in my hand was always comfortable. And the polished carbon (vs the �‘matte’ finish I’d been accustomed to from other paddles) did not feel too slick or unwieldy.

Submitted by bb_admin on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:12
I was just at Mel's Trading Post in Rhinelander talking about the Black Pearl with Mitch. He speaks very highly of the product and recommends it often. It's amazing how light and strong they are.

Submitted by bb_admin on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:12
Hard charging, performance-touring paddlers are going to love the new Black Pearl carbon fiber canoe paddle from Bending Branches. Made from high tech materials and coming in at just 14 ounces this paddle will be a great addition for your lightweight Kevlar canoe. The Black Pearl was built as an answer to Bending Branches customers who own and paddle high-end canoes built of Kevlar or carbon fiber. They wanted a lightweight, strong paddle to match well with their lightweight boat. The Black Pearl gives them the ability to partner a high tech touring paddle with their high tech boat. Grab one of these paddles today, get your canoe pack out of the garage, and be ready for the Boundary Waters tomorrow. And don’t forget one for you bowman, too.

Submitted by bb_admin on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:13
I used the paddle on a long weekend trip and a couple of day outings. In a nutshell, I really like it. I've always been more interested in the aesthetics of wood canoe paddles (though I use carbon for sea kayaking) but I think the Black Pearl has me sold--it's so light and the foam core makes for a more lively stroke. With the Black Pearl I've been impressed at how easily it adapts to more traditional steering strokes (i.e., J-stroke). Construction quality is immaculate. It's a real head-turner--that's about all I can say.

Submitted by bb_admin on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:13
First off, amazingly light! What a pleasure to hold (or in many ways, feels like you are not really holding anything!) Second, it is one sweet looking paddle. I do love wood/laminate designs, but this paddle looks slick! Almost stealth like. In the light, the checked pattern looks 3D! It certainly makes a statement. My partner was impressed and awed by its first impression. Anyhow, I love the paddle so far and will use it exclusively on the five day trip to better assess longer-ish use.