Featured Brand: Bending Branches
Bending Branches and Aqua Bound are two of our favorite paddlesport brands.
A 40-year testament to wood, willpower and Wisconsin.
As the world's largest manufacturer of quality canoe and kayak paddles, Bending Branches remains a privately held company in Northwestern Wisconsin, staffed by paddling enthusiasts. This translates into countless hours spent designing, prototyping, testing and perfecting each of their paddles. And when that's done, they go back and look at ways to build them even better. Lighter, stiffer, smarter, more durable and more beautiful. Our customers have found Bending Branches paddles to be their long-term companions on all adventures.
In 2008 Bending Branches purchased Aqua Bound, another brand Stone Harbor carries. For over 30 years, Aqua Bound has stood for kayak paddles of the highest-quality. This Wisconsin-based team takes pride in producing best-in-class experiences for paddlers around the globe. Their commitment to service, pride in workmanship and dedication to innovation translate into paddles that bear the mark of quality and the promise of good times. Proudly made by paddlers, for paddlers, Aqua Bound embodies the spirit of adventure and a never-satisfied attitude. You can trust that no matter where the waters are headed, Aqua Bound is committed to "Taking You There".
Gear Highlights
Rockgard® - Protects your Paddle
Durability. Beauty. Performance. When designing world class canoe and kayak paddles, these three things are always front of mind for Bending Branches. That’s why, only at Bending Branches, you will find their proprietary technology Rockgard® - derived from the same material as inline skate wheels - applied to each of their wood paddles. This material was first invented in 1984 and maintains the integrity of the paddle, seals against moisture and protects the most vulnerable areas - the tips and edges. It is this shock-absorption that Rockgard® provides which helps their wood paddles last six times longer than those without protection. Rockgard® protection is applied to each paddle based on the demands that paddle is likely to face and can vary within each category. Check out the video below to learn more about Rockgard®!
Fabulous Ferrule Options
If you’re new to paddling you’re probably asking: “What in the world is a ferrule?”
The ferrule is the way the two halves of a kayak paddle join together.
Bending Branches’ Whisper kayak paddle features the snap-button ferrule system.
The most common ferrule, especially on basic paddles, is the snap-button ferrule. The snap-button ferrule is the one most people are familiar with. The end of one half of the paddle has three holes in it, the end of the other half has a button that depresses in and fits in one of the holes. The paddle snaps together with either a 0º angle (both blades are facing the same way), a 60º angle or less (one blade is cockeyed from the other). This allows for a bit of paddle feathering (more on feathering below). A snap-button ferrule is the simplest and least expensive ferrule option. It’ll continue to work well as long as you keep your paddle free of debris and grit, and don’t allow rust to build up on the metal parts. Aqua Bound and Bending Branches both offer a few paddles with this ferrule system.
Another other ferrule option is the Versa-Lok™ ferrule system. This system offers variable length and feathering options for your kayak fishing paddle. This can truly enhance your paddle's performance, and therefore your paddling experience. Whether your passion is fishing or touring, a versatile paddle is your best friend. The Versa-Lok™ ferrule system gives you that versatility. Let’s take a closer look at just two of its advantages:
Length Extension Up to 15cm: With the Versa-Lok™ ferrule, you can add or subtract length to your paddle with up to a 15 cm range. This is ideal if you have two or more boats with different widths, you share your paddle with others or your fishing kayak has a seat that can be raised or lowered, so you sit at varying distances from the water. Rather than adapting to your paddle’s length, your paddle can adapt to each of these situations.
Infinite Feathering Angles: Feathering comes into play when you’re in windy conditions, and when you want more efficiency and control. The typical snap-button ferrule offers two angles: 0º and 60º. The Versa-Lok™ ferrule, on the other hand, gives you unlimited feathering angles. You have 360º of angles to experiment with. Whatever angle works best for you is what you get.
Finally, the Posi-Lok™ Ferrule System from Aqua Bound. This system is simple and intuitive, unlike some other ferrules. There are no gadgets or mechanics to learn. Hit the two buttons and click. It’s that simple. The Posi-Lok ferrule clicks firmly and unmistakably into place, reassuring you that it’s ready to use. You can have complete confidence in this ferrule positive connection. Made of carbon composite, the Posi-Lok ferrule is 42% stronger than plastic ferrules and much lighter. The resilience of this ferrule is strong enough that you’ll never worry about putting your weight on the paddle again. The Posi-Lok ferrule is friendly to all of the world’s waters since there are no metal components. (Metal parts corrode when exposed to extensive amounts of salt water.)
You can quickly identify the Posi-Lok system with its bright orange coloring.
Our favorite feature of the Posi-Lok system is the exterior ferrule system. No hard-to-reach sand or debris will collect inside your paddle shaft, because the ferrule is on the outside. That means less maintenance for you. In addition the Posi-Lok features a dual-button release that locks the ferrule securely. If you press one of the buttons accidentally, it won’t disengage the Posi-Lok ferrule. And you can feather this ferrule to 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees for right and left hand control. That means you can tailor your feather to whatever angle—or none—that works best for you.
Gosh, seems like there’s a lot to learn!
We agree! That’s why we absolutely love the blogs that Bending Branches and Aqua Bound run - they’re chalk full of trip planning ideas, educational tips and tricks for all levels, gear guides and all the latest on what’s happening with both brands. We’ve barely scratched the surface on everything to talk about with these two! If you want to learn more:
Aqua Bound’s Paddling Education Center: www.aquabound.com/blogs/resources
Bending Branches’ Paddling Education Center: www.bendingbranches.com/blogs/resources
As always, the team here at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply is happy to support you as a paddler. If you have any questions about paddles, boats, routes or anything else related to canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding just Contact Us or stop by the store during our normal business hours.