HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SIZE PADDLE IS BEST FOR ME?

This is one of the most popular questions we get asked so, we made a video showing you how to work out the size you might be best suited for. You can view by double clicking on the above image.

We also have this chart available which gives a general guide based on someone's height. So if for some reason you don't have a paddle handy or you need to make a decision for someone who isn't around then this will give you a good general idea, provided you know how tall they are! Download chart

If you have any questions or queries about either of these methods then please don't hesitate to contact us.

All our paddles come with a 12 month manufacturers warranty so that if your paddle becomes damaged or broken as a result of a manufacturing fault we will replace it.

However, if your paddle gets damaged because of an accident or wear and tear such as clashing with other paddles or hitting the side of the boat, then it's not a valid warranty claim. This is unfortunately what happens in dragon boating but, most often this kind of damage is purely cosmetic, such as a scratch or chip in the paint and won't affect the performance or use of your paddle at all.

Below are some photos of damaged paddles to give you a guide as to what is or isn't a valid warranty claim. Double click on a photo to see a larger picture.

For guidance on making a claim please see 'How do I make a warranty claim?' below.

NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM

Damage most likely caused by hitting the side of the boat or a hard concrete surface off the water.

We often see people resting their paddles on concrete or similar hard surfaces, sometimes even dragging them. This is really not a good thing to do and will lead to this kind of damage.

Tip - Protect your paddle, rest the base of the blade on your foot when you're waiting in the marshalling area or lay it somewhere out of the way between races. Using a paddle bag will also help to protect your paddle and so prolong its life.

NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM

Like the photo above this damage was most likely caused by hitting the side of the boat or knocking the paddle on a hard concrete surface.

However, in this instance the paint has totally come away revealing the fibre underneath. This paddle is still good to use though, as the core is sealed before painting and so the paddle itself should be sound.

Tip - See "How do I repair damage to my paddle .......?" below, for details on how you can quite easily make good this kind of damage.

NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM

This is impact damage, caused by hitting the side of the boat.

This isn't a good thing to be doing, not only because it will damage your paddle but, also because it means that power from your stroke is being directed at the boat, instead of helping to make the boat move forward.

Tip - If you find you're often hitting the side of the boat seek advise from your coach.

THIS IS A VALID WARRANTY CLAIM

In this instance there would appear to have been some contamination during the painting process. As a result the paint has peeled away.

Other valid claims include -

• If your grip comes off or loose
• If you have a soft bubble in the blade that can be easily pressed

Tip - If you're unsure if you have a warranty claim please contact the distributor from who you bought your paddle before you contact us.

How long does it take to get an Excalibur once we've placed our order?

As a general guideline, from the time the deposit is paid to delivery can be between 4 - 8 weeks, although we have shipped within 3 weeks before! There are a number of variables which affect delivery time so feel free to email us to find out the current lead time. In any event we will confirm the expected shipping date when we receive your order.

How can we pay?

We figure the banks make loads of money and we don't make enough, so Pay Pal is a good economic payment method. Otherwise, we'll accept Visa, Master Card and Amex (although we don't particularly like the charges Amex make!), direct bank transfer or good old fashioned cheque is also gladly received (Aussie customers only).

Is the Excalibur paddle adjustable?

No, at present it is not possible. You will need to advise us on what length you would like your paddle to be. A good length is 48"/122cm, it's one of the most common paddle lengths in use and most people can adjust to it.

What is the warranty and support package?

With Excalibur you receive -

1) A 12 month manufacturers warranty - So if the paddle breaks during normal usage we will have it shipped back to our workshop in Sydney for repair before shipping back to you at our expense.

If you feel you have a warranty issue please email us detailing what has happened, how and when it happened and include photos of any damage.

2) 12 months of technical support - So if you have any questions or problems you can contact us for assistance.

3) 12 months of free updates - As we continue to develop the software updates will become available. Within your first 12 months of purchasing Excalibur you will receive these free. Although in actual fact we are still currently making them freely available after 12 months but, this may change shortly.

How do you supply the software?

Once your order is confirmed we will email you with a link to the software.

What literature and training materials are included?

With the Excalibur software comes a detailed user guide covering everything from setting up your paddle to analysing the data. Once you've installed the software you'll find it at START/All programs/Talon Result Lab/Talon Result Lab documentation. We also have a manual of Standard Tests that we recommend you follow to help get to know Excalibur. Each test clearly details the objective and how to carry it out.

Can we get support with using Excalibur?

Yes, we're more than happy to take a look at your data files and give you feedback on them. You may find this is especially helpful when you're first using Excalibur, just to make sure you're on the right track.

Please do feedback to us directly. We're continually looking at ways to make Excalibur work better and your help is appreciated. Of course you'll benefit too at the end of the day!

Does the software work on a Mac?

No, we're sorry but, our data acquisition technology is currently only compatible with Windows XP, Vista SP2 and WIN7.

How do we get software updates?

We'll email you to let you know when an updated version of the software is available, with instructions on how to access it.