Which KeNalu: Wiki vs Ho'ola vs Konihi?

[Luc Benac]

   Everyone I've talked to is skeptical when I tell them about my experience with downsizing the blade. Probably mostly a macho thing. "82? That's what my wife uses." Not everyone would benefit but I think most would be surprised. This came up last weekend at the Larry Cain clinic. One of the guys who was a bit older asked about paddle size. Larry was using  a 90 QB and while his answer was a pretty diplomatic and truthful "it depends" he did hint that the guys 110 sq/in paddle was probably too big.

  As a side note just watching Larry take two strokes to demonstrate a technique was amazing. His board just rockets off.

I would love to go to one of Larry's clinics....

[yugi]

I thought blade size was all about cadence, but it isn't. It's catch.

And I find that bringing the paddle back for recovery is so much easier with the Mana 82 than the Mana 90. I had not noticed until I made a conscious effort to slow down the pull in the water and fasten the recovery to the next stroke. (Disclaimer I am a puny 165 lbs so somewhat size and weight of the paddle seems to make more difference than before).

Agree

With a smaller blade I'm the same in the pull but much more "flickable" for the recovery.

[yugi]

Very little, once you start improving technique. Dave Kalama is as strong as a bull, and Quickblade made a special paddle for him, the Kalama Big Mamma. But since he changed his technique he's using a tiny blade.

Devin Blish comes up to about my chest and weighs about as much as one of my legs. She paddles the biggest blade Ke Nalu makes--a Molokai--and she's fast as hell in downwinders and surfing. She sucks at flatwater. I think it's technique. If she had the time or desire to develop flatwater paddling technique I think she'd be one of the fastest in the world, and I suspect her blade size would get small, fast.  But she doesn't. So she's happy with a big blade.

I've never even paddled with her yet I'm so not surprised.

[warmuth]

   Everyone I've talked to is skeptical when I tell them about my experience with downsizing the blade. Probably mostly a macho thing. "82? That's what my wife uses." Not everyone would benefit but I think most would be surprised. This came up last weekend at the Larry Cain clinic. One of the guys who was a bit older asked about paddle size. Larry was using  a 90 QB and while his answer was a pretty diplomatic and truthful "it depends" he did hint that the guys 110 sq/in paddle was probably too big.

  As a side note just watching Larry take two strokes to demonstrate a technique was amazing. His board just rockets off.

I would love to go to one of Larry's clinics....

 Very nice and approachable guy. I felt the clinic was worth it even though most of what he talks about is on YouTube in videos. You get a bit of advice as he watches the group paddle but there's not enough time for him to break down all the things we're terrible at. A one on one session would be worth good money.

  Him and Ryan Helm are the two fastest paddlers I've seen in person and their speed is damn near demoralizing. On the bright side they're 50 something and 40 something respectively so there's still hope.

[Beasho]

   Everyone I've talked to is skeptical when I tell them about my experience with downsizing the blade. Probably mostly a macho thing. ...

This is an under-educated beginner statement. 

100% surfing perspective, 15,000 wave later: I started 7 years ago with a big paddle, 105 inch Molokai.  Then I bought a Konihi 95.  I was skeptical it would be too small.  And it felt too small for maybe 5 sessions.  Then I loved it.  The theory being better efficiency works whether in flat water or on waves. 

I switched to the 90 inch Mana in Dec '16.  It works great.  What I have found in bigger surf is that paddle speed is paramount.  I have a video of myself taking 19 strokes on one side to get into a wave.  It was probably a 10 foot wave.  The smaller paddles are lighter which allows for much higher cadence.  The lighter weight is easier on the body and also better for surfing.  Win-Win.

Here is my Mana 70" and 438 grams or 15.4 ounces.  Works great in all surf from 2' - 25'.

So there you have it: PonoBill, Dave Kalama, Larry Cain, Beasho . . . . all using tiny little paddles.  What more do you want?

[johnysmoke]

Thinking about pulling the trigger on a KeNalu Mana, the smaller blade size. I'm 6'2ish and 250lbs on a big 30 inch wide Bark Eliminator.
This past year my shoulders feel beat. Haven't been paddling much, but when I do get out I run hard on big blades, both kayaking and on the sup. I think the lack of time on the water equals lack of conditioning, and it caught up with me this year big time. Think it's time to gear down to a smaller blade and rebuild, change my paddling style to be a bit more cadence oriented and not pull like a big monkey all the time. Hoping the little Manu fits the bill?

[surfafrica]

Here is my Mana 70" and 438 grams or 15.4 ounces.  Works great in all surf from 2' - 25'.

70" Mana?  Do they make them that small? I thought the smallest Mana was 82. 

I'm moving down to a 77 sq in Black Project Surge this year, but would have considered a Mana at 70" if they are available.

[Area 10]

I think Beasho was referring to the length of the paddle, not the blade size. He said the blade size was 90 sq inch.

[surfafrica]

I think Beasho was referring to the length of the paddle, not the blade size. He said the blade size was 90 sq inch.

note to self....never comment before morning coffee.

[Eagle]

"This past year my shoulders feel beat."

Def a smaller blade will reduce shoulder pain.  Much less load.  We have 3 blade sizes.  116 - 78 - 67.  We use the 67 for distances 10+ miles.  Most times I use the 116 and my wife the 78.  We both paddle a lot though.

Did try the 95 Konihi and 100 flex that Luc had - and that combo was incredibly stiff.  Do not get that for sure.  Oddly Luc told me that felt really good for him.  But noticed he got rid of it.

But any quality smaller blade should help out a lot.  Still remember when I first started years ago my 116 was too harsh on my traps.  They would be sore after 5 mi.  But now nada.  So your muscles can adapt.  Keep your bigger blade for future use.   

[johnysmoke]

Thanks Eagle!

[Beasho]

Def a smaller blade will reduce shoulder pain.  Much less load.  We have 3 blade sizes.  116 - 78 - 67.  We use the 67 for distances 10+ miles.  Most times I use the 116 and my wife the 78.  We both paddle a lot though. . .
But any quality smaller blade should help out a lot.  . . .   Keep your bigger blade for future use.   

Why?  The trend appears to be going smaller in every way.

I am not sure anyone is still arguing for larger paddles.  The theory used to be "2 Strokes and your In" was for Surfing ONLY.  Maybe this still applies to punchy shorebreak? 

I can unequivocally state that the small blade (90 sq. inch Mana) works for open ocean fast waves from 2 ft to infinity.  The bigger the waves the faster you want to paddle to catch them and the lighter and smaller your blade should be.

[PonoBill]

Konihis are catch monsters. If you start pushing the paddle down at the start of the stroke it's really hard to move. And yes, Eagle, the xtuf(s) shaft is best for the 95 unless you are used to it. Once you calm down, and stop rushing your stroke the 100Flex is OK, though at that point the 82 works just as well, so why bother.

The Mana is a more forgiving blade. It doesn't do as much correction as the Konihi, that's both good and bad I guess. I'm still using the Konihi for flatwater and downwind, and the Mana 90 for surfing. Like Beasho, I love how the Mana can sprint for waves you otherwise wouldn't get. A lot of the places I surf, I wind up out of the pocket, giving longboarders room. Picking off a nice wave when you're nowhere near the shoulder requires speed. And it's kind of silly fun chasing them down.

[Eagle]

The paddle I use about 90% of the time is the 116 Vantage R8.5 carbon -> since it is so easy to propel our AS23.  Just enough catch - zero pain - and so butter smooth.  Super easy to manipulate blade angle.  Really is the perfect blade and shaft set-up for me.  With my 78 SB HA blade there is not enough catch comparatively.  My wife use the 78 Blackfish Race kevlar.  Have tried QB KN Werner etc.

No reason to switch out the R8.5 and am looking for another one for my wife.  She loves that paddle as well.  The local retailer only has the R8.0 at the moment.  The shaft flex is perfect like the SB.  I only swap out equipment like boards and paddles if they no longer do exactly what we want.  Otherwise use them until they break.  Even then we will repair if possible.

Much better for us to learn the nuances and build on that familiarity vs buy something else that is not as good.  Have tried many paddles -> and what we have is the best for us by far.  On top of that - most we paid was $100 to $160 to $200 all in for each paddle.  Low cost and works perfect for us.  3 were pre-owned and 2 were new.

Never was one to follow trends. 

[Eagle]

Yeah the Konihi 95 is an interesting blade with those little winglets.  But the 100 Flex is a monster stiff shaft.  We like a bit of flex and that has very little.

My paddle stroke was not rushed.  That set-up simply has very little flex in it.

If you want a good swizzle stick experience that works a charm.  The Sawyer Race Luc has is crazy efficient and fast.