David Scherrer 8/25/2024

Recently Just before the Gorge Champs (naturally) I found my self dealing with some classic and not so classic issues with my take apart Epic wing paddle.

First—- i discovered after many failed attempts, to stop the paddle from slipping after clamped, I ended up simply taking the clamping handle, all the screw components apart, opening up the plastic housing that clamps down the shaft, and simply filing down one side of the housing clamp base.
That way the system will clamp down tighter on the shaft..Then re assemble and yes…it works fine!

Second— I also discovered the paddle shaft insert (with the numbers on it) was beginning to show many hairline cracks from the end that goes into the other shaft as far as 3 or 4 inches towards the numbered area!
Not good! I solved the immediate problem so I could use it the next day by soaking inside of the shaft with the cracks with super glue, making sure to fill the numerous cracks themselves. I did electrical tape the outside temporarily.
I discovered the in the process of adhering all the cracks together I made the shaft slightly our of round…So I spent a couple hours hand sanding the outside of shaft until it could slip into the other half!

Later I ordered a new insert from Epic ($40.00). I removed the old shaft insert by using a heat gun, causing old epoxy to melt. Cleaning out using sand paper (80 grit) and re glued the new insert. (after I had marked, with white out, an alignment mark).
Old blade is good as new!

David S.

(Again written about an Epic paddle, but fix probably works on any paddle that has indented grooves for these markings)

David Scherrer 8/25/2024

PS If you find that the numbers on the Epic paddle shaft are going away, use “white out”…Coat over indented number area, let sit for a couple seconds, no more, and use rag to wipe off the surface pigment. the grooves with numbers etc will still have the white out!