Pics of my new Kialoa Toro race paddle.

[DavidJohn]

The other day the shop called to say my new Kialoa race paddle was in and I couldn't get down there quick enough to pick it up.. It's called the Toro.. The next morning the guys called to say that it's on for a down-winder and I quickly glued the handle on my new paddle, put some electrical tape on the edge of the blade.. and got down there.. It was cold, wet and windy and I was a bit suss that the wind might change direction before we got to the end but it was still worth going for it.. and trying out my new paddle.

The wind did change.. It was lumpy and there was a lot of paddling across the swells.. It was messy.. but it was still great fun.. and the paddle.. it was awesome.. Kialoa said that it would be lighter, stiffer and stronger and I thought yeah,yeah but it is.. I was glad to see they've kept the traditional Kilaoa shape shaft.. The blade size is slightly bigger than the Methane (that I normally use).

The paddle is extremely light.. The blade is very thin and it slips in and out of the water like no other paddle that I've ever used.. It has amazing bite with no slippage at all.. When you dig hard the stiff shaft didn't rob you of any power from flex and I feel like I need to work out more to get the most out of this paddle.

It has a hook (slight scoop) and it has a dihedral.. But not I don't think it's there as a dihedral.. I think it's more of a strength thing (both top and bottom) with the added bonus of acting like a dihedral.. The blade didn't flutter.. There is no foam core and the bottom of the blade has a much more rounded radius rather than the traditional triangular shape.

I took a little vid.. I also took some pics that show it better and how it compares to the Methane.

DJ

[SoCalSupper]

great pics and vid DJ-great looking paddle too!

[lakesurfer]

Nice vid!!!  Made me feel like I was really there.

[NZ WHOA]

Is that a Kialoa shirt? Is so where did you get it?

[AJR]

You think it would work for surfing too?

[DavidJohn]

Is that a Kialoa shirt? Is so where did you get it?

We had a demo day here two years ago and Sam from Kialoa Aus was there with demo paddles for people to try.. http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Ocean-Grove-Demo-Day-Great-Success/ .. and they gave away some hats, shirts and tops.. I was lucky enough to get that long sleeve blue top.. It's great and I wear it alot.

I have ordered some stickers, shirts and even tie downs from the Kialoa site but I've not seen these tops there.. I've since got to know the Kialoa guys and become a huge fan of Kialoa and I think their paddles are the best..  

This is a better vid from a couple of days before.. and I love the bit at the 3.50 mark on the big 17.. and I'm wearing the same top.. It's windproof and stretchy.. and warm.

DJ

[Boludo]

Are they going to have smaller blade options?  If not, I gotta say that they may miss the mark if they are only offering a 107 size paddle.  That's too big for many of us.  I love Kialoa.  They are on the top of my list so I was bummed to see the blade size.

[DavidJohn]

A smaller blade size should be released soon.

DJ

[motopilot]

Thanks for the Pics DJ  waiting for mine too.

[hdearing]

Great looking paddle DJ. Check out the custom artwork my wife had done on the back of her new QB Kanaha 90 AC. Local girl named Allison Demolli painted it.


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[BSLNoel]

A bit off topic, but is that a guard around the edge of the paddle?  Is that aftermarket?  Wondering if I should protect my board from the paddle with one of those.

[Marc996]

its eletrical isolation tape

[hdearing]

The guard around the edge of the QB painted paddle is an aftermarket addition. It leaves no marks on the rails as it is clear. I have tried DJ's white electrical tape on other paddles and it works well, but does not provide the shock absorbing qualities of the thicker plastic rail guards. As light and strong as carbon fiber is, it is still very brittle and does not respond well to being smashed into the side of my board. With these paddles costing over $300, I am going to err on the side of caution.


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[greatdane]

I have noticed my Toro tires out my arms faster than my trusty old Methane... The Toro is bigger than the Shaka Pu as well.  Currently I am using the Toro for races under 5 miles and sticking with the Methane for longer races.  There will be a Toro in a smaller size eventually.  As DJ mentioned, the dihedral isn't really a dihedral like on other paddles... it is mostly for stiffening the new, knife-thin blade.  The original blades got their stiffnes/strength from being thicker and foam filled.  Last year Kialoa made some of us custom shafts which are much stiffer than stock Kialoa's.... Old Kialoa owners will definitely notice the new stiffer shaft... feels good knowing all your power is going into forward thrust and not flex.  Enjoy!

[skyfish]

Looks nice, specially the lightly bigger dia. Shaft and the scoop , looks like someone has been learning somethings from Werner.....