Adventure Technology - Oracle Review

AT Oracle paddle review

 The Oracle is the high angle, big blade touring paddle from Adventure Technology, offering more powerful stroke and stability than their other touring paddles. I was kindly sent these paddles to try out for a few weeks. This is the first time I have used AT paddles, having seen many people using AT paddles both on whitewater and the sea I was interested to try them out for myself. 

The Oracle is available in a number of options. Both glass or carbon blade, full carbon or carbon blend shaft, ergo or straight. Also available with a split shaft that can be adjusted for length and feather

The paddles I have been using have a carbon blend ergo shaft with glass blades-215cm.
These are a nice set of touring paddles that are well suited to rock hopping, surf and also putting in some miles. 
The Ergo shaft is comfortable in the hand and the adjustable split is a nice feature to have. The carbon blend option is quite flexible and there is a slight delay when you put a lot of power on. However this is a positive if you suffer from any strain issues. If you like more bite in your stroke I would be going for the full carbon shaft.

The blades are very smooth in the water for a low to mid angle paddling style, but at a very high aggressive stroke there is some flutter. Funnily when I was testing these paddles I could not figure out why this was happening as they are described as "high angle" paddles. After looking at the AT website I learned that they are more a mid angle paddle than I expected. For most touring paddlers this will not be an issue but I like to paddle with a high angle stroke most of the time.

This info graph from AT represents the Glass Oracles perfectly.

Adjustable shaft both feather and 5cm length.

Pros

• Adjustable
• Price
• Weight
• Smooth for Low & Mid angle stroke

Cons

• Flutter at high angle

Overall these are nice paddles and a good option if you have been using low angle style paddles but want more oomph for getting in and out of the surf or some rock gardening. 

Available from I-Canoe

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Putting my trust in the Oracles on a big day at the bottom of the cliffs.