Paddle recommendation needed

[SUPArtGirl]

I am interested in buying a paddle from Palau Paddles but have not been able to find one to demo.  Just wondering if anyone can provide a review of their paddles.  I race flatwater and am looking for a super light paddle.  I am small, 5'4" and about 120 pounds.  I have found that I am having a hard time keeping up with the larger, stronger women in the races and believe part of the answer may be to increase my strokes per minute.  If you have any suggestions other than Palau please let me know.  Thanks!

[PonoBill]

Not familiar with the brand, but picking up your cadence is a good idea--if the rest of your stroke is good. The first thing to pay attention to is your breathing. You can't maintain a higher cadence if you're winded. Focus on breathing from your diaphragm first, then expanding your chest. Push out your stomach at the start of a breath. At first that's like a two-step breath, but once you get used to doing it you'll smooth it out and have some extra capacity since you'll be moving more air and not just pushing the same stale air up and down your trachea.

Then focus on reach. Stack your shoulders, rotate your torso, and REACH. Get the paddle all the way in to the ferrule and let your muscles contract on their own as you start your pull.

The focus on getting the paddle out of the water cleanly. Start pulling it out well before it reaches your feet. Twist your lower hand inward to feather the paddle and help get it out of the water. Keep it in the feathered position as you recover, and when you REACH again your wrist will straighten. Recovering a feathered paddle will automatically increase your cadence. Once you have all that (visit www.davidkalama.com for more paddling tips) you might benefit from  a new paddle.

Good luck. And keep your old paddle. I switch back and forth a lot, depending on what my shoulders are doing and how I'm feeling. Today I used a Wiki on an xTuf(s) shaft for a downwinder and it felt great. Tomorrow I'll probably use a Molokai (the biggest Ke Nalu blade) because my shoulders feel good and I know it's going to nuke here in the Gorge.

[JillRide45]

I looked at that paddle and it seems way to heavy and big.  At a 9 inch blade and a 20 oz blade that is huge for someone your size. I would suggest looking at the quickblade flyweight or the superfly.  Also the kioloa pipes.  I would also suggest the kenalu wiki, but if your stroke is bad it will make it worse. 

I would also suggest just trying to be the best you can be and do not worry about the other girls.  Go out there and train to be your best and it will come around. 

Have fun, Jill

[PonoBill]

True dat. You need a good stroke to benefit from a Ke Nalu.

[SUPArtGirl]

Thank you for the excellent advice and instruction!