Bending Branches Viper Bent Shaft

Long days in a canoe are a lot kinder on your body when your paddle is working with your joints instead of against them.

The Bending Branches Viper is the most durable bent shaft canoe paddle in the Bending Branches lineup, and the only one featuring a double bend shaft. That double bend is the defining feature here: it keeps both wrists in a more natural, aligned position throughout the stroke, reducing the cumulative strain that adds up on multi-day canoe trips or high-mileage paddling days. For paddlers who've dealt with wrist discomfort from conventional paddle geometry, the Viper's ergonomic design is worth paying attention to.

The shaft is handcrafted from 18-laminate basswood, a construction that balances durability with reasonable weight and gives the paddle a warm, comfortable feel in hand. The blade combines basswood and roasted basswood for a classic wood aesthetic, and at 128.5 sq. in. it moves serious water with each stroke. A 4 oz. fibreglass wrap and full Rockgard edge protection mean this blade is genuinely built to last through the kind of rocky Canadian canoe country where paddles take their share of abuse.

The curved palm grip complements the double bend geometry, keeping your top hand relaxed and reducing tension during long paddling efforts.

• Shaft: 18-laminate basswood, double bend
• Blade: Basswood and roasted basswood
• Blade size: 8.7 x 19 in. (22 x 48 cm)
• Blade surface area: 128.5 sq. in. (829 sq. cm)
• Blade protection: 4 oz. fibreglass wrap with full Rockgard edge protection
• Grip: Curved palm grip
• Weight: 22 oz. (624 g)