Sawyer TSR paddle

[Luc Benac]

I ordered a Sawyer TSR carbon paddle with the RIP90 blade from Social Skateboarding inc. at a very good price taking advantage of a sale.
I just received it today.

The good news.
The paddle is incredibly light and the shaft is very thin with the lower part slightly oval. It does look beautiful.
After handling it taking my Starboard Enduro Carbon Premium feels like handling a middle-age mace...
I am curious about the reported surface of the blade = Rip 90 blade - 7.5"W X 17"L (93 s.i.).
My SB is a 525 cm2 so should be about 81.4 s.i.
The blade of the TSR is the same length but noticeably thinner 7.5" versus 8.3" and a little bit shorter. No way that one is 93 sqi and the other 82 sqi.
Not sure which one to believe?
In any case I was so much looking forward to try it...

The bad news.
The paddle came in a box with almost no padding. The box must have been crushed during transport and the paddle is broken close to the base of the shaft....
Which make one thinking about the strength of the paddle in the first place. Likely just the wrong impression.
I have never dealt with this supplier before so I contacted them through PayPal and I am awaiting to see what will happen. Of course I had to pay the duties and taxes to get it into Canada. I am so disappointed and I hope that it gets resolved soon and that it does not cost me too much.

[Luc Benac]

The supplier Social Skateboarding inc. was first class. Upon receiving the photos of the broken paddle and box, they sent me a replacement paddle at no cost.
This version of the TSR came with the TSR Carbon 95 Blade - 7.5" W X 18" L (95 s.i.).
I will finally try this paddle this afternoon.