That $80 inflatable kayak paddle snapped on day two, bring a spare

I bought a cheap inflatable kayak paddle off Amazon for my trip to Lake Tahoe last month. On the second morning, the plastic blade split right where it meets the shaft during a normal paddle stroke. I had to paddle back to shore using just the broken half, which took forever and ruined the day. The kayak itself was fine, but the paddle was a total waste of money. Has anyone else had a paddle fail like this, and do you carry a backup on long trips?

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butler.shane12d ago

Isn't that more about the $10 paddle you grabbed than the general idea of cheap gear? I've snapped a couple of bargain blades myself, but I've also seen $200 carbon ones crack after a season of rocky landings. The real question is why you didn't check the plastic quality before you even got in the water. A spare is nice to have, sure, but I'd rather spend that money on a paddle that won't break in the first place. Most of us who paddle regularly just carry a cheap backup for emergencies, but we don't blame the whole sport because one cheap part failed.