Werner  Cyprus Kayak Paddle - Carbon Bent-Shaft

My ultimate favorite paddle, with a big dose of n

My parents took us kids to sun lake state park every year for a bunch of years, Back then you were able to camp at deep Lake. We shared the campgrounds for 2 weeks every summer with the Warner family. And we always looked forward to seeing them. The sons taught me how to kayak and let me try out their new experimental kayak designs. They started experimenting with paddle designs and I was able to try those also. It was fun looking forward to what they come up with during the year each summer. I bought the Cyprus both out of nostalgia and because it's the best design out there. There's paddles out there that look the same in design, But guess what! I know where the design came from!! Good going Werner family, proud of ya.

Tested by time and conditions

Purchased over 3 1/2 years ago, used extensively at least 800 miles per year. Used on flat water, small creeks and river with cyprus knees, branches, rocks, fast running rivers over pebbly shoals and with boulders. Have taken me through unexpected squalls, strong head winds, fast moving currents on river bends. Durable: have had to push off with it when mired. Lightness a benefit on long paddles. Used small shaft, not usually available, but this is a must for me. Rolls easily in palm when paddling. Have loaned it to people who were tired when paddling and they noticed the lightness immediately.

Amazing paddle: I use it for touring and play!!!!

The first paddle I ever bought was a Werner paddle. But my choice in blade has changed over the years and I have never been happier on the water than I have been with my Cypress. It accommodates my love of a higher angle stroke with a quiet entry of the blade and an easy exit at the end of the stroke. But here is the best part... the design of the blade lets me bring my stroke angle down lower for those days when i'm getting tired or need a change of pace. I recommend this paddle to both advanced paddlers and beginners alike. It is gently on the joints and shoulders over long distances, has the power and surface area necessary to pick up speed in a hurry in tide races and surf and is versatile in its design to allow for all types of paddling styles. I love this paddle!!!

Light and smooth

I have about 500 miles on this paddle now. I have been sea kayaking for over 20 years here in Alaska with a lot of long trips under my belt. I have been using Werner paddles all that time. My most recent paddles have been an all-carbon Camano straight shaft and a bent shaft carbon Kalliste, both in a 240 cm length. But I have to say that the 220 cm Cyprus is now my favorite, and I can still use a low-angle stroke with my low deck/narrow boat. I am 5' 11" with long arms. I used to get a pretty sore, fatigued feeling between my shoulder blades on long trips. I figured this was just part of averaging around 30 miles a day for weeks on end, but since going to shorter and shorter paddles I am (finally) realizing that a less powerful blade and a shorter shaft combined with a higher cadence just puts less stress on my muscles and tendons. In a following sea the short Cyprus sometimes seems a little undersized, but at the end of a long day or when bucking a wind chop the power seems about perfect. The thick, foam core of the Kalliste and Cyprus paddle blades reduces the bubbles entrained in the eddy behind the blade and results in a smooth feel during the pull and does make the paddle feel light in the water, though I don't feel it 'pops' out of the water at the end of the stroke like some folks report. The low swing weight and reasonable blade face size do reduce fatigue, no question. I considered the Ikelos but I'm glad I went with the smaller Cyprus blade. The thick edge of the blade tip seems to have a very durable rim of plastic sandwiched between the carbon faces and numerous rock encounters has yet to do any damage whatsoever to the blade. I never had any wrist issues with straight shaft paddles though I do like the bent shaft feel now that I'm used to it. It has mostly resulted in a more connected feel to the paddle since I can wrap all my fingers evenly around the shaft during all parts of the stroke. The Cyprus and Kalliste shafts are perhaps a bit too smooth though, and a little more texture and friction might result in being able to hold the paddle a bit looser and still maintain control. As it is I usually keep my hands damp by dipping them in the water regularly or using a thin layer of paddle/surf wax. The ferrule system is very nice and results in an extremely solid and slop-free connection between the paddle halves. A great paddle overall. Expensive, but the current pinnacle of design and construction.

Great paddle

One of the reviewers stated that the paddle was a little to smooth and I agree with him but what I did was what I do with a lot of the handles on my tools and sporting stuff ( bow grip, pistol grip etc.) I go to Dick's sporting goods store and purchase one of many types of tennis racket grip wraps and wrap the handle with that for a bigger grip (my hands are large) and a more secure feel! They come in all types: leather, gauze, absorbent etc.

Placement of bent angle did not work for me!

I love Werner paddles and wanted to get the "wrist relief" of the bent shaft and move to a high angle paddle from the excellent low angle (220cm.) "Kaliste." I am average sized female who does not need a small circumference shaft paddle. Was surprised when the bends in the bent shaft (210 cm) Cypress seemed wrong/uncomfortable. I have slightly wider than average shoulders but the bend is just not where I place my hand. I ended up ordering the slightly heavier but incredibly sturdy Werner 210 cm Shuna fiberglass paddle. Am 100 % happy--with straight shaft Shuna for my high angle style and more aggressive paddling. The Cyprus seems a beautiful design...just did not work for me.

TLDR: Worth every penny

As a Gumby paddler with an Oru Coast as their first boat, I went with a on sale Bending Branches paddle. I could do 3.9 mph for 5+ hours (I was breathing heavily and exerting myself, not at all a casual effort) and do short sprints up to 6. Strictly in terms of performance, the first is up to around 4.5 mph and it's no longer a constant full on Sprint to get to 6--which is roughly my boat's hull speed. Turns out it take a lot of effort to drag it up onto the water but maintaining that planing speed isn't much harder than my all day pace. But that's not the whole story. The overall exertion level is probably half of what it was with my entry level paddle--i can force it but that seems to just cause vibration and cavitation. It's also much quieter which is a nice bonus.

Loose fitting Ferrule, Sold me used paddle.

Received them on Friday 9/24/2021. I was really happy to inspect the Paddle, Few scuff marks on the blade. Well no big deal as Carbon scratches easily. I put the 2 pieces together the Ferrule clicked satisfyingly. But upon moving the paddle round It rattles. Turn out the Ferrule was lose. Upon reading may forums it is an issues with some Werner paddles after extended use. The circumference of the ferrule gets worn down from taking apart and put together repeatedly overtime so it loses its tightness. The key phrase here is "repeated use over time", not something I just bought yesterday without using it and had paid full price. Upon checking the tag it says inspected by CI and the tag was old and yellowed out but the bar code sticker for the paddle dated 8/06/2021. I understand REI has the 1 year return policy my guess is someone purchases it to try out the paddle and decided it is not for them thus return. REI just put it back for sales and marked it as new item and hope that some clueless new novice buyer who purchase this high end paddle does not notice or be ok with it. I understand you have the return policy to improve customer satisfaction but marking a used item as new without inspecting properly and charges full price is unscrupulous. I do not recommend buying high end items at REI. It was my 1st big purchase at REI, up until this point I only buy small stuff like back packs and life jackets. I am a new member and I actually had to go into the store to ask for my $20 sign up bonus on 1st purchase because they failed to deliver upon purchase. When they gave it to me during the paddle return process the coupon only last 1 month. Had it marked as blemished or used and tag it with just even $5 dollars off I would have been ok with it then customers can make an informed decision whether they wanna take that chance.

Excellent paddle

Granted, it’s not cheap but if you spend a lot of time paddling, it is worth the extra money. The carbon fiber lessens the swing weight, which is noticeable and the bent shaft is way more comfortable than the standard straight version. Keep in mind these blades are intended for high angle style paddling, Werner offers paddles with bent shafts for low angle style as well. I also own an an Ikelos which has a slightly larger blade, but I really don’t notice a difference between the two.

Great paddle, however the shaft fused together so that it could not be taken apart. This is the second werner paddle to do this despite consistent care.