More Frequently Asked Questions

For us at Bending Branches, service isn’t a poster in the break room or terms our leaders use in monthly meetings. It’s in our DNA. We have one mission—to have the best service in the entire outdoor industry.

Please give us a call anytime during business hours (8-5 Monday-Friday, Central Time) with your questions, comments, complaints and compliments. You’ll get to talk to a real person, usually within the first ring or two. We love talking with our customers!

Here are some of the most common questions we get:

Q: What’s the difference between Bending Branches and Aqua-Bound?

A: Branches LLC is the legal name of the parent company, Bending Branches. We acquired Aqua-Bound in 2008 and moved the company from British Columbia to our headquarters in Wisconsin. We usually answer the phone: “Hello, Branches…” rather than “Hello, Bending Branches/Aqua-Bound…” because it’s so much easier!

It’s the same phone number for both companies, we’re at the same address, and share the same building. Our customer service team serves both brands.

Q: What’s your warranty on your paddles?

A: We build strong paddles and have one of the lowest breakage rates in the industry (0.03%), but we know the unthinkable can happen. When it does, we honor all reasonable requests for repair or replacement.

We want to know about it, and make it right.

Please call us, email us or reach out on Facebook to let us know. Tell us what the issue is…let us know your story…send a photo or two. We’ll take good care of you.

Q: My snap-button…drip ring…sticker…broke/came off. Can I get a replacement?

A: Yes! Call or email us with your problem with pictures, and let us know the model of your paddle. We’ll be sure you get a replacement part.

Q: Should I buy a straight-shaft or bent-shaft canoe paddle?

A: To answer this, you need to know what kind of paddling you plan to do. A bent-shaft paddle is ideal for long days of canoeing, or multi-day canoe trips on calmer water. The built-in angle on the shaft makes each stroke easier and more efficient.

For more details on this, take a look at How to Properly Use a Bent-Shaft Canoe Paddle with the video. If you still have questions, please call our Customer Service Team and they’ll be glad to answer all your questions.

Q: Help! I’m getting blisters on my hands from my new paddle!

A: Getting blisters is usually the result of over-gripping your paddle—you’re probably holding it too tightly. It’s not only giving you blisters, but it’s hard on your wrists, too.

When you paddle, relax your grip. Let your shoulder, back and arm muscles do the work while your hands simply guide the paddle strokes.

If you’re a kayaker and are experiencing shoulder pain, it’s likely your stroke is too high. Keep your hands at or below your shoulders with each stroke and you should be fine.

We want to hear from you!

Call our Wisconsin-based, friendly Customer Service team anytime during regular business hours (8-5, Monday-Friday Central Time): (715) 755-3405

Email: [email protected]

“You should know that being on the Bending Branches team is probably top 2 highest accomplishments of my fishing career. I bought my first paddle on ACK and it started to come apart at the ferrule less than a year in. You guys quickly replaced that for me, and then I had a blade break in bad conditions. Once again, you guys replaced it. Hassle free and quick shipping of the new paddle. This instilled a sense of loyalty in me. You're an American manufacturer who was top notch customer service and who stands behind your products. It doesn't get much better than that for me. Superior service.”