Did Aquabound Just Top Shelf The Paddle Industry? Tetra Review

First Paddle with the new Tetra

For the past year or so I've been quietly testing this paddle under tight lips. Aquabound sent me out some early prototypes to put through their paces and gather some content before the big release in early 2025. I put hundreds on miles on this paddle in a variety of conditions as well as let lots of friends give it a shot. It was a resounding wow from most everyone who laid hands on it.

Compared to most of the low angle paddles I've tried the Tetra has to be the most forgiving. It doesn't mind if your top hand creeps up during powerful foward stokes up wind, or while performing draw strokes or braces. It seems to be just as happy as a high angle as it does as a low angle. Making it a great option for folks like me who want the easy going nature of a smaller sub 100cm area blade for touring, yet still want that performance when things get bouncy.

Alex from Kayak Trinadad playing in the rocks.

The Tetra comes in three versions: bent shaft, straight shaft, and adjustable with the Versa Lock shaft (only available for the straight shaft). Choosing the right option for you largely depends on a couple of factors. One is budget, with the bent shaft costing $675, the straight Posilock at $549, and the straight Versalock at $575. The other factor is personal preference. Some people favor the bent shaft because it positions your wrist at a more neutral angle, reducing joint strain during long paddling sessions. Others opt for the straight shaft due to its ability to lie flat on the deck as a spare and its straightforward handling while paddling.

One of the other things that jumped out at me with the Tetra was the tacky grip of the shaft. At first it felt sticky and strange, but as soon as I got it wet it provided a ton of grip and dexterity to my grip. With this grip in addition to bent shaft I feel like I could close my eyes and always know exactly where my blades were in my hands. The grip is thoughtful precise and intuitive.

Durability was another concern of mine with the Tetra, as it is the lightest paddle in its class, coming in as .25oz lighter than even the Werner Athena. We hammered on these paddles hard and they kept coming back for more. The Lamlock stitching seems to really keep the edges from any delimitation in my experience. I had a total of three paddles for a year with literally hundreds of days on them, and I did not get one single ding or chip out of the blades during my time with them. The Split Tow Carbon Aquabound uses also helps with their strength to weight ratio. The wider weave reduces strain on the carbon and allows for a stiffer lighter blade than traditional carbon paddles.

If you'd like a deeper dive I invite you to check out my in depth Youtube Aquabound Tetra Review here.