How many paddles did you break this weekend?
My team broke a total of 3 at the start in diff races.
Is it the cold?

I didn't break any as I use ZRE. 7th year for the same paddle.

I've been paddling for only 11 years, but I have only ever broken one paddle. Luckily this was during a practice start, not a race. So if members of my team had broken 3 paddles in the same weekend, I would say that's cause for concern. Okay, that's too light. The paddles must be pure sh!t. Ditch 'em.

If you can afford full carbon, go with a company with a good reputatino for durability, like ZRE, Burnwater or Owl. SRS and Typhoon might be okay too, but they don't have the history of the others. Or go to high performance grey owl wood paddles if you can't afford full carbon. These are sweet for the price.

Apex.Are.Garbage

By "Cheap Apex Paddles" do you mean the inexpensive composite ones or Apex in general?

No highs no lows must be Bose

1 word - technique

they are cheap. the connetion with the blade and shaft is not reinforced very well.

I (and most members of my crew) use the Apex adjustable length paddles that we got in 2005 for the world championships in Berlin. I'm very happy with my Apex and I'm not aware of any of the adjustable length paddles breaking.

those "older" adjustables are very solid and durable. its the newer ones that are having problems. the newer ones are significantly lighter, and are damaged quite easily

The people bashing apex are probably the ones who purchased those crappy durablades that are made of plastic.

Of course they're gonna pop on you, you wonder why they have a 3 year warranty on them. And you really get what you pay for. They're 'cheap' as you put it, because they are literally CHEAP.

I have the new Apex Accelerator Carbon Fibre paddle, and it's perfect. It's incredibly light weight and durable. I've heard that the Ultimate adjustables are also great as well.