I've been using GRB paddles, and their custom woodstrip voyageur and other race canoes since 2007. Brothers John and Gene Newman are great long time supporters of the canoe race community. I have their paddles in one inch increments from 48-53 inches, some are duplicated. When I cracked a blade in half during a race by wedging it between rocks they replaced it, no problem. Always carry a spare for such instances.