 |
| Q: How do I determine the correct paddle
length? |
| |
| A: |
|
The correct paddle length depends
on a lot of factors. The type
of boats you are in, paddling
style, where you sit in the boat,
type of crew, and your body type.
As a general rule: |
|
| |
| |
1. |
|
In a fully loaded
boat in your correct sitting
position, let go of your top
hand and extend your outside
arm forward so it is parallel
to the water/boat. |
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2. |
|
Now flip the paddle
so that the T-handle is pointing
down (you may want to adjust
your outside hand). |
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3. |
|
Now the top of
the T-handle should be near or
almost touching the water...that
will be the length. |
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|
| |
| Q: How do you measure the length of
the paddle. |
| |
A: |
|
The length of the
paddle is measured from the tip of
the blade to the top of the handle. |
|
| |
| Q:
Why carbon fiber? |
| |
A: |
|
There are many reasons
why carbon fiber is such a popular
material to use.
The first and most evident advantage
is its' strength to weight ratio.
What this means is that you are able
to build a super light weight item
without sacrificing strength/flex.
If you were to build a same weight
paddle in wood you would have to
shave off so much material that the
resulting flex/strength would be
unacceptable.
The second reason carbon is so nice
to use is its' material consistency.
It gives us performance characteristics
that are nearly impossible with wood.
Wood is a living and growing object.
If you ever look at a piece of wood,
no two pieces are alike (some have
knots, density varies, some absorb
more water) thus no two pieces perform
in the same way. You will notice
this as your paddles get heavier
over time and lose that crispness
you felt when it was new. Carbon
on the other hand is a very high
tech man-made material. We predetermine
the exact amount of fibers and their
precise orientation in the structure
during production. This allows us
to control the exact weight, and
believe it or not, the desired stiffness
of the paddle.
The third reason is that carbon fiber
is a tough material. It can handle
all the dings and paddle clashes
and is used in formula one cars and
jet fighters...need I say more. |
|
| |
| Q:
Will carbon fiber be too stiff? |
| |
A: |
|
Yes and no. The common
misconception is that carbon fiber
paddles are always super stiff and
very hard on the joints. What people
do not realize is we can control
the amount of stiffness in a paddle.
We can build things that will not
bend if you stood on it to something
as flexible as a fishing pole or
golf shaft. What we have done is
incorporated feedback from the top
racing teams to figure out where
the sweet spot is. |
|
| |
| Q:
Why are your paddles so expensive? |
| |
A: |
|
There are factors
that contribute to the cost of the
paddle.
The most obvious being the cost of
materials. We use the same carbon
fiber materials found in formula
one cars and jet fighters. These
materials allow us to build one of
the lightest and strong paddles in
market.
Secondly, is its' design and construction.
We paddle and we have made it our
goal to understand and provide for
the needs of the racer. The paddle
is such an instrumental connection
between you, the racer, and the water
that it is so important to get this
aspect right. For the area where
the paddler holds the shaft, we have
designed a special ergonomic elliptical
shaft to fit perfectly in the craddle
of your hand. We could have gone
with an easier to manufacture round
tube or a squashed oval tube but
it just wouldn't be the same. On
the other end of the shaft we managed
to design a carbon fiber solution
for the standard T-handle that everyone
likes, but lighter and stronger.
Thirdly, there is no substitute for
a paddle that feels right when paddling.
A paddle designed to give you a crisp
catch and the ability to transfer
your power to water not to the flex
of the blade, one that is light enough
to give you a quick, smooth, recovery
and strong enough to handle all the
power you got.
Fourth, We have also put a lot of
time in research and development
to create what we feel is one of
the best dragon boat paddles. When
you consider all the features we
have incorporated into the design
of the paddle you are actually getting
a deal! |
|
| |
| Q:
What happens if my paddle breaks? |
| |
A: |
|
You must be extremely
strong or you ran over it with a
heavy object (car, person, etc.).
Contact us and we will help resolve
this issue. |
|
| |
| Q:
What is the difference between the regular
handle and the carbon handle? |
| |
A: |
|
The regular handle
is a solid epoxy handle weighing
55 grams. The carbon handle is a
super light hollow carbon fiber handle
weighing 40 grams. If light weight
and high performance are important
to you then the carbon handle is
the way to go. |
|
| |
| Q:
What is the IDBF 202 paddle specification
and why is it so important? |
| |
A: |
|
The International
Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) is
the governing body for the sport
of dragon boat racing. They have
created certain standards that ensure
races and equipment are on a level
playing field. This way you can be
assured you can use your paddle at
all IDBF sanctioned events. |
|
| |
| Q:
Why the new spec and is my old paddle
still good? |
| |
A: |
|
The new paddle specification
was drafted in 2002/2003 this year
to standardize dragon boat paddles
on an international level. That way
all paddle manufacturers have to
follow the same guidelines when making
paddles. Old paddles with a later
specification mark PS 101/102 can
still be used at races. These older
paddles will be phased out in the
next couple of years and all subsequent
paddles will have the IDBF PS 202
mark. |
|
| |
| Q:
What is the difference between the old
spec and newer specification? |
| |
A: |
|
The main difference
between the two are shape and materials.
The new spec has a slightly different
blade shape that more closely resembles
the traditional dragon boat paddle.The
newer spec also takes into consideration
new materials like carbon fiber/composites. |
|
| |
| Q:
Do you offer different blade shapes? |
| |
A: |
|
Unfortunately, the
blade shape is controlled by the
IDBF. Every manufacturer who wants
to produce a paddle that is certifiable
will have the same shape. |
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| back
to top back
to paddles |
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| Shorts |
|
| Q: What sizes do you offer? |
| |
| A: |
|
Here is our
sizing chart. |
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S |
2 |
27-30" |
waist |
| |
M |
3 |
30-33" |
waist |
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L |
4 |
34-37" |
waist |
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XL |
5 |
38-41" |
waist |
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|
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| Q: Are the shorts comfortable? |
| |
A: |
|
Yes! It is created
from 1/4" (6mm) closed cell
foam padding. The padding is specially
scored in a way to conform to your
body in the sitting or standing position. |
|
| |
| Q: Can your shorts be
used for biking. |
| |
A: |
|
Yes, you can but they
are best used while paddling. |
|
| |
| Q: Are there any special
laundering instructions? |
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A: |
|
Nope, just wash, hang
dry is prefered or light, tumble
dry. |
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| back
to top back
to shorts |
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| Apparel |
|
| Q: What is stretch fitted? |
| |
A: |
|
Stretch fitted is
a cap fitting design that eliminates
the need for conventional cap closures.
Caps are designed with a special
inner brim that flexes to fit your
head. These caps are very comfortable
and very cool. Caps come in two sizes
S/M and L/XL. |
|
| |
| Q: What is the difference
between the two styles of caps? |
| |
A: |
|
One style incorporates
the stretch fitted design and the
other cap uses a standard velcro
closure for people who like the adjustability. |
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| back
to top |
| |
| Cases |
|
| Q: Can you fit an outrigger
paddle in the hardcases? |
| |
A: |
|
The quad hardcase
is designed to fit one double bend
outrigger blade that is shorter than
53". The padding on one side
of the case may have to be taken
out. |
|
| |
| Q: How do I check in the
case at the airport? |
| |
A: |
|
The hard cases are
designed with traveling in mind.
Check the case in as one of your
luggages, there should be no extra
charge. Since the events of September
11, paddlers can no longer carry
on their paddles and must check them
in. |
|
| |
| Q: Do airlines charge
to check the hardcases in? |
| |
A: |
|
Most airlines do not
charge to check the hardcases in.
It counts as 1 of your 2 bags. |
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| |
| Q: How secure are the
hardcases? |
| |
A: |
|
There are four lock
points on either of the cases for
padlocks. The cases are made of very
tough plastic and are built to take
a beating. |
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| back
to top back
to cases |
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| Ordering |
|
| Q: What if I am not happy
with my order or need a different size/length? |
| |
A: |
|
Please check our order
page for our terms and conditions.
In most cases we will do our best
to resolve any issues you may have.
Please do not send anything back
to us without the proper RETURN MATERIAL
AUTHORIZATION (RMA) number! |
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| |
| Q: Do you guys take Visa/Master
Card orders? |
| |
A: |
|
Yes, we currently
take Visa/Master cards orders. Please
call to provide your credit card
information. Do not send your credit
card information using non-secure
e-mail. |
|
| |
| Q: How long does it take
to get my order? |
| |
A: |
|
That all depends on
where you live. We typically ship
UPS whenever we can. Ground is the
cheapest, especially for paddles.
Ground within the US typically takes
3-5 days. We usually ship orders
within 48 hours of payment. |
|
| |
| Q: Do you ship internationally? |
| |
A: |
|
Yes! Contact us and
we will tell you how to order. |
|
| |
| Q: Do you have any distributors
or retail stores? |
| |
A: |
|
A: Unfortunately,
we are selling direct to racers and
teams to bring the best possible
prices. |
|
| |
| Q: Can I get my order
faster? |
| |
A: |
|
It depends on a lot
of things like where you live, what
you are ordering and how much you
want to pay. We normally ship UPS
ground. This takes 5-7 business days
within the United States (usually
less if you live closer to California).
Of course you can ship anything next
day or second day air for almost
double or triple the shipping cost.
If you are willing pay this extra
premium we will be more than willing
to accomodate you. We usually ship
orders within 48 hours of payment. |
|
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| Q: Can I request any other
shipping carrier? |
| |
A: |
|
Yes, we ship UPS as
a default since they are one of the
most reliable and affordable. We
can at your request ship via FedEx,
United States postal service. |
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| back
to top back
to ordering |
| |
| Company |
|
| Q: What is the logo supposed
to mean? |
| |
A: |
|
That's the official
Burnwater™ logo. It stands
for a lot of things-our passion for
racing, the products we create. It's
the yin and yang-the aggression coupled
with the calm. If you race, you know
what we mean..! |
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| back
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