Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: tautologies on June 26, 2015, 08:12:11 PM
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So I'm getting a small paddle for my shortboard. Surf only so it'll be a pretty short paddle. I'm 6'1'' and I think my first paddle was about 83. I am not quite sure how short I should go.
I would assume it ha to do with the blade length as well, but it is important to me that I can move the paddle across fast. I like being a bit forward leaning while paddling the small board.
I have an adjustable 7in naish so I can take a look at that, but what I want to know what lengths are are you guys using?
Right now its between a werner and kialoa
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I'm down to +2" and I think that is the short limit for me. I have to get through some pretty big white water some times and I need it for bracing. I'm trying to salvage a bad shoulder situation so blade size and shape is also being experimented with. I wouldn't base much on experiences with an adjustable length paddle. There is nothing like a purpose built solid shaft paddle. I was about 82" to start and when I used an adjustable at 78" it felt all wrong. When I took the leap and cut my carbon to 78" It felt great. Went down to 75" recently and that is great for the shoulder but I don't see going much shorter. I'd say going to 78" is a no risk move. They are all no risk moves really, cause if you go to short you can always sell as a "high end" chicks paddle on CL or just give as a stocking stuffer to a lady friend ( short lady). FYI the Kialoa Pipes has a garbage t-handle . It has no "sleeve" . My Epic gear has a nice sleeve an I'm sure others do as well. I do like the basic blade shape though.
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I'm 6'1 165 lbs and ride a JL World Wide 8'5.
My first paddle was 82" a couple years ago. Then I went to an 80" Kialoa Methane which now seems fine for flatwater but too long for surf. Plus the 94 sq inch blade on the Methane is too big for me in surf so I recently bought a leftover 83 sq inch Kialoa Pipes on sale. I'll be cutting it to 76" today. I tested a 78" long Kialoa Insanity last week and decided 76" would be the right length for me to go with. I didn't like the Insanity because of it's large diameter, round shaft. The thin oval shafts of the Pipes and Methane are much more comfortable and have a better flex.
Contrary to what the website says, the Kialoa Pipes is not a women's specific paddle. It's simply a Methane with a smaller blade. Like standuped, I wish the handle had a sleeve too but I wouldn't call the handle garbage. I have the same handle on my Methane and it works perfectly well. I'm happy with it.
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I'm 6'1 my surf paddles are KeNalu Elite Ho'Oloa (I also really like the Konihi in the surf) cut 74" and could (easily with KeNalu) go smaller I think
I used everything else I can get my hands on and the ONLY paddle that comes close is the Fanatic PRO (lighter but cost more too)
With your ZONER DEALS I bet the price will be to your liking...
Jim
Extremewindsurfing.com
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I like the shape and size of the kialoa handles, but I've never understood the design. It's a weak way to make a handle. That big hole compromises the strength of the part and doesn't give a lot of gripping area for the adhesive.
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My 81V-drive is 69 inches (tip to tip), which is 1 inch longer than the Kialoa Methane (5'8 141lbs surfing mainly on the 7'8x27 and 8'3x29 boards). Because of the size of the blade, I can stroke the V-drive a bit faster than the Methane.
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taut, thanks for posting this.. I was just typing up a similar post. The more and more I SUS, the more and more I think about the paddle and specifically the length. I have a hard time getting any of my fellow stick folks to nerd out with me on this topic so I bring it here.
When I started to SUS, I used a longer paddle on my 9.6 board. I used the technique to size the paddle where you stand and raise your arm over your head(elbow almost locked) so that your hand just bends over the grip. I am 6 foot(160lbs) and this longer paddle was 81 inches. This seemed to be fine, then I started having twinges in my right shoulder.
I then bought a naish 8'3 x 32 and decided to try a different paddle length. I went aggressive and cut my new Kenalu to 73 inches. Here, with the handle on the ground the bottom blade edge is pretty even with the top of my skull.
I remember seeing Kia standing next to his paddle and the blade was as tall or shorter than he. http://www.naishsurfing.com/kai-lenny-takes-first-da-hui-backdoor-shootout-2015/ (http://www.naishsurfing.com/kai-lenny-takes-first-da-hui-backdoor-shootout-2015/)
http://cdn1.naishsurfing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Screen-Shot-2014-04-18-at-11.30.02-AM.png (http://cdn1.naishsurfing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Screen-Shot-2014-04-18-at-11.30.02-AM.png)
My main SUS buddy and mentor says my 73 incher is too short, but is unable to tell me why.
I personally find it more "flickable". This is a term we used in motorcycle riding that described the ability to throw a moto around in the air based on what you were doing.. the lighter bikes were more flickable. Here the short paddle flies across the deck much quicker..
Anyway.. I have no shoulder pain anymore and am loving the new shorter paddle. I went back to the 8'3 paddle just to test and found it clumsy and slow. I'll try the longer paddle with my 9 foot + boards and I bet it will work there better..
I do not notice any bracing issues, but I do know that the last 95% of the stroke.. on a long stroke, the paddle comes out of the water quicker.. This is for example during the last 1 foot of the board at the end of the stroke.
Totally stoked on the short paddle, having a hard time convincing myself to go any longer. Another thing you don't hear many folks talk about is backside paddling in surfing position.. This is MUCH easier with the short paddle. I would also add that front side paddling in surfing position is also way easier. These are quick digs while you are catching/in the wave..
This post only applies to SUS..
-red
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I'm 6'1 165 lbs and ride a JL World Wide 8'5.
My first paddle was 82" a couple years ago. Then I went to an 80" Kialoa Methane which now seems fine for flatwater but too long for surf. Plus the 94 sq inch blade on the Methane is too big for me in surf so I recently bought a leftover 83 sq inch Kialoa Pipes on sale. I'll be cutting it to 76" today. I tested a 78" long Kialoa Insanity last week and decided 76" would be the right length for me to go with. I didn't like the Insanity because of it's large diameter, round shaft. The thin oval shafts of the Pipes and Methane are much more comfortable and have a better flex.
Contrary to what the website says, the Kialoa Pipes is not a women's specific paddle. It's simply a Methane with a smaller blade. Like standuped, I wish the handle had a sleeve too but I wouldn't call the handle garbage. I have the same handle on my Methane and it works perfectly well. I'm happy with it.
Its looking like I am getting a pipes II or whatever they call it. Women or not I don't care..I'm currently using a pink paddle so I guess you can say I am comfortable paddling whatever...LOL
My biggest fear is not being able to bury the blade properly and then if my arms are too close, the leverage will be lower. I am thinking 78 right now.
I've had a ton of kialoa paddles and never had a problem, so I am not too worried about the handles. My wife's paddle is probably oh I dunno 10 years old and she likes it so much.
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My 81V-drive is 69 inches (tip to tip), which is 1 inch longer than the Kialoa Methane (5'8 141lbs surfing mainly on the 7'8x27 and 8'3x29 boards). Because of the size of the blade, I can stroke the V-drive a bit faster than the Methane.
damn. 69 is short. I'm thinking 78 right now. I took out my board and set my current adjustable paddle to 78 and it seemed to work relatively well. :-)
Pipes II is a bit over 7 in, and I knid of wanted an even smaller blade..but I also want the oval shaft..they are just sooo nice.
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I'm 6'1 165 lbs and ride a JL World Wide 8'5.
My first paddle was 82" a couple years ago. Then I went to an 80" Kialoa Methane which now seems fine for flatwater but too long for surf. Plus the 94 sq inch blade on the Methane is too big for me in surf so I recently bought a leftover 83 sq inch Kialoa Pipes on sale. I'll be cutting it to 76" today. I tested a 78" long Kialoa Insanity last week and decided 76" would be the right length for me to go with. I didn't like the Insanity because of it's large diameter, round shaft. The thin oval shafts of the Pipes and Methane are much more comfortable and have a better flex.
Contrary to what the website says, the Kialoa Pipes is not a women's specific paddle. It's simply a Methane with a smaller blade. Like standuped, I wish the handle had a sleeve too but I wouldn't call the handle garbage. I have the same handle on my Methane and it works perfectly well. I'm happy with it.
Its looking like I am getting a pipes II or whatever they call it. Women or not I don't care..I'm currently using a pink paddle so I guess you can say I am comfortable paddling whatever...LOL
My biggest fear is not being able to bury the blade properly and then if my arms are too close, the leverage will be lower. I am thinking 78 right now.
I've had a ton of kialoa paddles and never had a problem, so I am not too worried about the handles. My wife's paddle is probably oh I dunno 10 years old and she likes it so much.
Nice. You're getting my thinking I should go back out and check again before I commit to a length. :-) I guess I'll just end up cutting it myself.
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My surf paddle is 4" taller than I am. I find that very comfortable.
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I'm 6'1 165 lbs and ride a JL World Wide 8'5.
My first paddle was 82" a couple years ago. Then I went to an 80" Kialoa Methane which now seems fine for flatwater but too long for surf. Plus the 94 sq inch blade on the Methane is too big for me in surf so I recently bought a leftover 83 sq inch Kialoa Pipes on sale. I'll be cutting it to 76" today. I tested a 78" long Kialoa Insanity last week and decided 76" would be the right length for me to go with. I didn't like the Insanity because of it's large diameter, round shaft. The thin oval shafts of the Pipes and Methane are much more comfortable and have a better flex.
Contrary to what the website says, the Kialoa Pipes is not a women's specific paddle. It's simply a Methane with a smaller blade. Like standuped, I wish the handle had a sleeve too but I wouldn't call the handle garbage. I have the same handle on my Methane and it works perfectly well. I'm happy with it.
Its looking like I am getting a pipes II or whatever they call it. Women or not I don't care..I'm currently using a pink paddle so I guess you can say I am comfortable paddling whatever...LOL
My biggest fear is not being able to bury the blade properly and then if my arms are too close, the leverage will be lower. I am thinking 78 right now.
I've had a ton of kialoa paddles and never had a problem, so I am not too worried about the handles. My wife's paddle is probably oh I dunno 10 years old and she likes it so much.
The new Pipes II has a 12 degree bend whereas the original Pipes has a 10 degree bend. Not that two degrees makes much of a difference. I don't know if it's an improvement or not.
The website has last years Pipes on sale. http://www.kialoa.com/pipes-622.html
My local shop had them for even less.
I cut mine to 76" today. I took it for a test paddle on the pond next to my house and it felt perfect. I fully buried the blade no problem even with my lower hand at 36.5".
I put a piece of tape at 36.5" from the end of the handle which is exactly half my height. It helps me know where to put my lower hand to get the most power. I usually want my pinky finger just touching the tape, although I sometimes will bring my hand up a bit for more casual upright paddling.
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For what it's worth, I cut my Isle pro carbon paddle down to 75" from 78" (I'm 6'). It felt weird at first but got used to it quick. Then it delamed and I finally clamped it w/some Gorilla glue. I think a Ke Nalu is in my not to distant future. Dem paddles/blades/handles be a bit confusing!
First wave here on 4/21 wit da shortie, DEF felt looser!
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Badger: I saw the pipes 1 was on sale, but I prefer having the slimmest blade possible, and to me paying an extra $50 for that is worth it. I think my perfect paddle right now, be kialoa oval shaft and the werner S blade.
Surfercook: For some reason..and I know ke nalu has a huge zone fan base, but some reason those paddles just do not appeal to me.
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Badger: I saw the pipes 1 was on sale, but I prefer having the slimmest blade possible, and to me paying an extra $50 for that is worth it.
Ahh, I didn't see that. The Pipes II is an eighth of an inch narrower. Not enough to make a difference with me. The new width, 12 degree bend and new graphics are the only changes to the design as far as I can tell.
It's interesting that some of the new Kialoas are deviating from the usual 10 degree bend, varying from 9 degrees on the GL Wahine to 13 degrees on the Methane II.
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Hmm when you put it that way. I thought it was more than an eight of an inch.
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So I put in the order for the Kialoa Pipes II today. The oval shaft really made the difference between the Kialoa and the Werner.
Should be here in a week or something like that. :-)
I didn't decide on the length yet LOL, but thank you guys so far.
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So I put in the order for the Kialoa Pipes II today. The oval shaft really made the difference between the Kialoa and the Werner.
Should be here in a week or something like that. :-)
I didn't decide on the length yet LOL, but thank you guys so far.
That's a great choice. The new Kialoa Pipes is a great improvement over the older models (which were pretty good anyway).
The different blade angles that Kialoa are now using is I think in response to the fact that people are now cutting their paddles shorter than they used to, especially for surf, and that surf and distance paddles tend to be cut to different lengths. It's an intelligent move IMO.
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Then it might be hitting the spot. ;-)
I am intending to cut it short and I can't wait to get my hands on it. :-)
Oval shaft, and T top. Can't go wrong with that. I'm actually surprised that not more brands have the oval shaft.
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I tested my new Pipes for two sessions yesterday in big (head high) choppy surf and it worked great. Definitely less shoulder strain. I really liked the slightly higher cadence, but it still had plenty of power. The 76" length was perfect and I even found myself bracing more in my bottom turns.
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I've just ordered a new Kialoa Pipes II..
I loved the old original Pipes and recently thought that I had lost it.. and then I remembered that I sold it with a board that I had sold a while ago.. Doh!.. :)
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I've just ordered a new Kialoa Pipes II..
I loved the old original Pipes and recently thought that I had lost it.. and then I remembered that I sold it with a board that I had sold a while ago.. Doh!.. :)
LOL I was looking for a surfboard..I just couldn't find it...and it was because I had sold it...but I did find two other boards...
Then again I was going sell one board...and as I was talking with the dude...I was telling him I could not remember why I had stopped riding the board...as I pulled it out of the bag it was clear..two of the fin boxes were completely smashed.
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Then it might be hitting the spot. ;-)
I am intending to cut it short and I can't wait to get my hands on it. :-)
Oval shaft, and T top. Can't go wrong with that. I'm actually surprised that not more brands have the oval shaft.
So much for being excited about a product. Kialoa has yet to ship it..or give an update...