I'm looking for a new paddle are any teams out there placing an order?

why not the Chinook or a grey owl also a great paddle and it is a canadian.

The Grey Owl is made in China.

Grey owl is garbage...they chip easily and then are ruined. If you want quality and a company who backs their products 100% call Apex

let the games begin....

I've been using ZRE for years and have never had a problem. I've never used any other brand, so I can't speak for the others.

I have used ZRE for many years and I love it. It's light and sturdy. I tried Brasca too an it is slightly heavier but also good. I think it comes down to price. ZRE would be the cheaper choice.

Apex I'm sure covers thier product 100% because it sucks. Go with Chinoak. Good paddle custome team colours.

The Chinook is made in China too, but I have to say - not too bad at all. Especially for the price. Certainly the best value full carbon paddle out there right now. I have an Apex and was going to order a Brasca, but at just over half the price, I'm looking seriously at the Chinook.

I bought a chinook last year and love it. The new one they have this year is lighter, and stronger. Easy to get if you live in the Toronto area. They sell quickly when they get their shipment in, so you have to call them to get your name on the list. Look around, everyone has one of them now a days. they must be doing something right. The price is the best by far. The company has the paddles made in China but it is owned by a couple of Canadian guys, that paddle.

I know from experience ZRE's and Trivia ("Triviums") are excellent in terms of weight and durability. ZRE's made in USA, Trivium in Lithuania. I also know from experience that Merlin (Malaysia) and Burnwater's from 2006 to present (China) suffer from significant quality issues resulting in chipping and "bubbling" respectively.

Thanks everyone for your input. I already own an Apex 50" Accelerator. I am familiar with most of the paddles on the market. I feel I can go to 51" paddle now and am leaning toward a ZRE if I can get in on a group deal. If not I'll be happy with getting another accelerator.

Thanks whoever posted the link. I'll be updating the site this weekend along with the rankings.

If you want to get a review in past it along by Saturday.

PD

Since when is Apex crap?

Does anyone even know if Apex is still making paddles. With no website you have to wonder.

I found this really cool website, it's called "Google". I typed in what I'm looking for and like magic, it tells me what I'm searching for!!! They should really get the word out, they could make like billions of dollars!

http://apexpaddles.com/indexmain.html

Please post the link for that "Google." It sounds like a really useful engine!

I don't remember the exact address. Look for it on www.msn.com

Apex makes great paddles and if you're breaks they will replace them. I believe they are still the #1 paddle manufacturer at least in Ontario.

No one has answered the original question of if they are making an order for ZRE or Brasca paddles.
Is anyone?

Bought an Accelerator at the GWN store on the island last weekend. Love it!

Can anyone compare the Accelerator with the ZRE?

Also, what's the process of getting a ZRE paddle?

Off the top, the shaft of the Apex is like the burnwater and not 100% circular. It fits very nicely into your hands for some. Having used both, i think they are both very light and excellent. Apex is canadian and made locally whereas Burnwater is made down south. Both are great paddles. Don't know about pricing.

I love the Apex Accelerator. The oval grip is quite comfy and the paddle weighs so little. It looks and feels like a quality paddle.

ssss

Zaveral's site has Mike Devine as the distributor in Toronto. My guess is that he would be the one to speak to.

no...that would be too easy....zre would be expecting that.

Nice try! Both are made in China (NOT CANADA!)

Apex recently updated their website:

www.apexpaddles.com

Check it out!

You have to give Apex credit, They manufacture in Canada, and guarantee their product when other manufacturers don't. They even guarantee against paddler abuse!! Who else does that??

And if they are so crap then why are all the National teams using them???

They are the number one paddle in the market and have distributors in Germany (with Buk Boats I might add!), Singapore, Australia, Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario (GWN Dragon Boat).

I think that speaks for itself!

...but Apex paddles really are quite crappy.

Dolphins are the best by far!

Did anyone actually call Apex crap? Its a matter of preference.

Some people like driving a truck, some people prefer driving a ferrari. Its a matter of taste.

I don't think the Apex is crap, I used one for a year and liked it.
But I personally still prefer the Zavarel.
Incidentally, my ZRE DOES have an elliptical shaft, which is one reason that I chose it. Some people have posted here that Zavarel only does the circular shafts.

"Nice try! Both are made in China (NOT CANADA!)"

So Mike Devine and his paddle were made in China?!

Burnwater, ZRE and Brasca all make fine paddles but it all boils down to preference. I've paddled with each and would say that Burnwater is one of the best I've used. Brasca paddles are also excellent; and the preferred make in other paddling disciplines. ZRE paddles are light but a touch too stiff, which spells trouble for shoulders.

If it were down to the two listed in OP's post, I would recommend Brasca.

Have anyone in Canada ever heard of G'Power?
In my opinion, they make very good paddles. Their paddles comes in 2 different models,full carbon or carbon/kevlar blade. The weight of the paddle is around 400gm which make them one of the lightest around,and the bet thing is they have very good quality finishing....