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The better of the paddle brands?

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Created by Chopsup > 9 months ago, 28 May 2015
Chopsup
SA, 123 posts
28 May 2015 3:38PM
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Ok, so I've just picked up a prowave from the buy and sell section (thanks maxd) and now looking for a quality paddle for out in the surf.
As I'd be outlaying some decent coin for one I'm wanting to know the better group of the brands out there?

I've done a search to see if there was a comprehensive paddle comparo out there, but couldn't find one.

Thanks


Coastie
NSW, 76 posts
28 May 2015 4:39PM
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The 'better' paddle brands tend to be the ones that specialise in just making paddles, ie Ke Nalu, Quickblade and Kialoa.
for the surf the Ke Nalu Xtuf, QB Kanaha and the Kialoa Methane are pretty popular.
Having said that the board manufacturers all have their own range too that a lot of people use and enjoy. As always try to demo a few to see what suits you best (you'll also have length and blade size to consider too)

Chopsup
SA, 123 posts
28 May 2015 6:32PM
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I'll definitely go for a fixed length paddle, currently have an adjustable paddle to work out my ideal length before cutting down one.

Area10
1508 posts
28 May 2015 5:14PM
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It is common for people to buy blades that they subsequently decide are too big for them. It is uncommon for people to buy blades that they find are too small for them. So buy with this in mind. For some very strange reason, most of the blades on sale - at least until the last year or so anyway - are bigger than work for most people. If you watched the ISA Champs, virtually no-one was using a blade over 90 sq ins, and many went smaller.

Also, oval shafts are good in surf, because they give better grip and easier orientation of the blade, and handle choice is very personal but I like t-grips for surfing (but not for flat water).


DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
28 May 2015 8:11PM
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Select to expand quote
Area10 said...
It is common for people to buy blades that they subsequently decide are too big for them. It is uncommon for people to buy blades that they find are too small for them. So buy with this in mind. For some very strange reason, most of the blades on sale - at least until the last year or so anyway - are bigger than work for most people. If you watched the ISA Champs, virtually no-one was using a blade over 90 sq ins, and many went smaller.

Also, oval shafts are good in surf, because they give better grip and easier orientation of the blade, and handle choice is very personal but I like t-grips for surfing (but not for flat water).





+1 ... and demo, demo.. demo..

jarvisIan
39 posts
28 May 2015 7:53PM
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I'm 6', 185 lbs, fit and no Lilly dipper. I've tried a lot of other peoples paddles, but have owned only one paddle that has gone through a long list of boards that I've bought and sold. I've totally abused my paddle and it's taken some serious beatings in some large waves, and the unfortunate and infamous shore pound of my main break. Yet my Werner Spanker remains in tact, and without damage. I've seen some other popular brands broken, or damaged, and I've always been quietly happy with my choice of paddle. I chose Werner because I knew the company from my white water paddling days. Now as I look at all the marketing hype I realize that Werner has been making carbon fiber paddles long before SUP and making them to withstand the serious abuse of creek boating, and smacking off river rocks. So, without any company affiliation, I cam honestly recommend a Werner paddle. They've been doing it longer and stronger....imho.

Slab
1061 posts
29 May 2015 2:46AM
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Xtuf Kenalu paddle with small blade.....nice and light, holding up very well with not a mark so far. I like oval shafts but tbh I havent even noticed any diff with the Ke Nalu. It is a pretty small diameter shaft so absolutely spot on.

I have two.....and they are not the most expensive.....no intention of trying any others now I like them so much. Feel great in the water.

I dont think you won't go wrong with any of the brands mentioned above....all top notch.

cbigsup
454 posts
29 May 2015 9:05AM
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Have owned both KeNalu and Kialoa and liked them both.

Recently borrowed a Werner high aspect and really liked the difference of the high aspect design Felt much easier to control flutter and maintain a high cadence.

Ordered one!

I know Starboard also makes high aspect paddles and would definitely demo one of that style and see if you preferred it or not.

spirit4earth
78 posts
29 May 2015 10:21AM
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Select to expand quote
cbigsup said..
Have owned both KeNalu and Kialoa and liked them both.

Recently borrowed a Werner high aspect and really liked the difference of the high aspect design Felt much easier to control flutter and maintain a high cadence.

Ordered one!

I know Starboard also makes high aspect paddles and would definitely demo one of that style and see if you preferred it or not.


Which Werner paddles are considered high aspect? I have a Nitro that I like very much.

excav8ter
536 posts
29 May 2015 10:25AM
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I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.

spirit4earth
78 posts
29 May 2015 10:32AM
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Select to expand quote
excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.



I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!

excav8ter
536 posts
29 May 2015 10:53AM
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Select to expand quote
spirit4earth said...
excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.



I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!


I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.

AUS4
NSW, 1249 posts
29 May 2015 8:37PM
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Select to expand quote
excav8ter said..

spirit4earth said...

excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.




I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!



I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.


Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!

Deano72
NSW, 540 posts
29 May 2015 9:37PM
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Select to expand quote
Slab said...
Xtuf Kenalu paddle with small blade.....nice and light, holding up very well with not a mark so far. I like oval shafts but tbh I havent even noticed any diff with the Ke Nalu. It is a pretty small diameter shaft so absolutely spot on.


^^^ this combo is on sale too......if you don't have to have the latest graphics. The 84 sq" Wiki is a great surf paddle





Kieranr
NSW, 526 posts
29 May 2015 10:21PM
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Select to expand quote
AUS4 said..

excav8ter said..


spirit4earth said...


excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.





I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!




I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.



Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!


Uuuuuuuhhhmmmmmm..................AUS4 were you being serious?
Of course you can get SIC gear here.

AUS4
NSW, 1249 posts
30 May 2015 12:23AM
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Select to expand quote
Kieranr said..



AUS4 said..




excav8ter said..





spirit4earth said...





excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.








I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!







I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.






Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!





Uuuuuuuhhhmmmmmm..................AUS4 were you being serious?
Of course you can get SIC gear here.




Ha ha I've been waiting since March !!! And there's still nothing on the horizon..

JohnnyMaya
196 posts
30 May 2015 2:15AM
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Having tried a lot of paddles, I thought that QB Trifecta and QB V-drive were on a league of their own, and then I tried the Ke Nalu Wiki...

So now, i think there are three paddles which are amazingly different from all the other (for the better) but one of them is about 3/4s of the price from the other two.

I ordered an Xtuf Wiki 74 and i really want to try the ho'oloa and the Konihi models. Soooooo smooooth!!!

cbigsup
454 posts
30 May 2015 5:57AM
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Own the 74 wiki, and the 84 ho'oloa. Wiki great for surfing, prefer the ho'oloa for flat water. X tuft shaft easier on the shoulder.

JohnnyMaya - You will be a Monstah on your speeed with the high cadence Wiki 74!

petedorries
QLD, 700 posts
30 May 2015 1:18PM
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I use a fanatic 7.25. i get these for free. i have compared them to the QB Trifecta and there is so little difference that it is not funny. Same with the KeNalu. Not really much difference so could paddle either of these three blades at the drop of a hat. And would (be it surfing or racing)
The big difference is shaft size and handles. Can't wait for Fanatic to follow suit with a thinner shaft.
I have been a proponent for thinner shafts since I dont know when.
QB also has the material handles which are liked by many paddlers for comfort.
So a lot does come down to price.

excav8ter
536 posts
31 May 2015 11:11PM
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Select to expand quote
AUS4 said...
excav8ter said..

spirit4earth said...

excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.




I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!



I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.


Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!


Yeah... 2 SIC F14's.... it wasn't easy to find the second one. But my local store came through. I was ready to pull the trigger on a Naish glide, but i had a $1,200 credit at my local store where i buy all my stuff. So when he said he found one i said order it. And i'll pay the difference. It came with a small scratch in the nose, so it was discounted by a fair amount. I am really happy with the F14. Now my 18 year old son and i have identical boards for DW runs and surfing small waves together.

excav8ter
536 posts
5 Jun 2015 10:01AM
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Select to expand quote
spirit4earth said...
excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.



I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!


Loving the QB Trifecta so far. Had a couple good paddles with it so far. Just flat water. It's very light, and feels good on my shoulders when i paddle faster and harder. Blade feels like it "catches" good, and its very stable feeling through the stoke. Going to bring my Werner out sometime soon to do a on water comparison of the 2 paddles.

cbigsup
454 posts
5 Jun 2015 10:54PM
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Spirit - The Nitro is considered high aspect which refers to the ratio between the width and the length. High aspect paddles are longer and thinner Werner, Trifecta, some Starboards.

DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
6 Jun 2015 9:01AM
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I mostly use the Kialoa Pipes and the Kialoa Hulu small.. Both have very high aspect blade shapes..

Blades that have that table tennis bat shape look very old-school IMO..

GizzieNZ
4100 posts
6 Jun 2015 9:44AM
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For long life I suspect it is hard to go past the X tuff shaft.....regardless of what blade size you chuck on the end of it
I see people saying "that paddle is too expensive"....but "cheap" paddle purchases often end up in "my paddle snapped and I had to buy another" scenarios

Sharper
QLD, 82 posts
7 Jun 2015 1:29PM
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I bought a Kialoa Methane in 2010 and it's still going strong. Very stiff with a small blade which is great for surf. Kialoa appear to have a bunch of new ones out now with a different handle and profile. I have no idea what they're like though.
Having said that I bought a carbon paddle from a company called SUPCO last year for 150 bucks as a back up for a surf trip. It quickly became my go to as it was easier to cut and shorten. The thing has been absolutely brilliant and indestructible. Stiff and strong and virtually the same blade profile as my Kialoa. I'm not sure where you can get them these days though.



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"The better of the paddle brands?" started by Chopsup