Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: scubasteve on February 13, 2019, 03:00:09 AM
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Hi paddlers
Its time to replace my paddle im at a bit of a loss as to what size,brand, etc...
Mainly surf n foilling, good shoulders 49yrs,
6ft x 93kgs.
Paddle now is a 2011 starboard carbon enduro dont know the size.
Was thinking of going to about 90sqcm.
Maybe carbon.
What are you using?
Cheers
Scuba
;D
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You left out the most important detail: how much are you willing to spend?
Plus, what are your priorities? Durability, weight, shaft shape, handle type?
Without further details you’re just going to get everyone recommending what they personally use, and you’ll get a mass of conflicting information since what is right for different people, is different.
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When the GoFoil guys come to town, they all ride V-Drive.
These guys are hot right now too. https://blackprojectsup.com/
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Speaking of BlackProject they just announced a new paddle in collaboration with Infinity. It's a clean, light (14.8oz), 10 degree blade, no nonsense paddle. I ordered one for flat water but if I like it, I might also get one for surf.
https://blackprojectsup.com/2019/02/08/new-infinity-sup-paddles-by-black-project/
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Carbon is critical for performance but exactly how much and quality of carbon leaves alot to be desired.
Alot of folks here use KENALU a componetized paddle GREAT performance, Excellent durability and with the ability to change out components to alter performance (not to mention repairable to perfect) it is hard to beat them.
Not sure I'd go w/90 for surf/foiling but its your paddle
If you want more specfics post here or PM me.
JimK
Extreme Windsurfing
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Speaking of BlackProject they just announced a new paddle in collaboration with Infinity. It's a clean, light (14.8oz), 10 degree blade, no nonsense paddle. I ordered one for flat water but if I like it, I might also get one for surf.
https://blackprojectsup.com/2019/02/08/new-infinity-sup-paddles-by-black-project/
Is that the BP Lava in different clothes?
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Luc, I originally thought so, but the shaft appears a bit different. I can't wait to give it a shot.
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what i understand to be current conventional wisdom, says that 90 is too big--but who knows??
and, of course, the zre platinum carbon with oval shaft, and kenalu ho'loa, which id id sell you cheap, are in the mid 80's--i will say the zre's version of "the mid-80's" is bigger that the kenalu version
pm me if interested--anyone else too for that matter
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Hey Eastie, in this case 90 is the percentage of CF to FG in the shaft, the blade is a swelt 84sq in.
And Jim, isn't the xTuf shaft a CF/FG blend? (Also in that same sub - $300 range)
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Hi paddlers
Its time to replace my paddle im at a bit of a loss as to what size,brand, etc...
Mainly surf n foilling, good shoulders 49yrs,
6ft x 93kgs.
Paddle now is a 2011 starboard carbon enduro dont know the size.
Was thinking of going to about 90sqcm.
Maybe carbon.
What are you using?
Cheers
Scuba
;D
Definitely go all carbon. A couple of ounces in weight savings makes a big difference. I highly recommend the BlackProject Surge paddle.
I recently upgraded to the BlackProject Surge S77 with Soft Flex Shaft and T-Handle and really like it. At $450 it was more than I wanted to spend but was the only paddle I could find that met all my criteria. It is very light (13oz cut to 69") and even though the blade is small I can get some good power when necessary.
You would not want to go with the soft flex shaft. At your weight BlackProject recommends the Surge L87 blade with medium flex shaft.
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Anon, do you notice the 8 degree blade angle on the BP Surge?
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just makesure the shaft has good flex though at 6ft scubasteve you might get away it with some of these full carbon paddle.
Entry nice paddle (carbon mixed 100g more weight) around $177US, med paddle (carbon 50g+ more weight) around $250US+ and top-end carbon paddle (+/- 500g total weight) $425US+
stick to the brand names and do your research or even better test them and talk to others and stay away from those fleabay unknown carbon paddle though their getting better each year 8)
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Luc, I originally thought so, but the shaft appears a bit different. I can't wait to give it a shot.
OK Chris has introduced new shafts and is discontinuing others so that might be the difference.
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Anon, do you notice the 8 degree blade angle on the BP Surge?
I cannot speak as of the Surge and surfing but I have a love/hate relationship with the 8 degree blade angle on my Hydro.
I found that it is sometime difficult to just jump from a 10 degree to a 8 degree or vice and versa and really dial the stroke.
My compromisse is to use the Hydro for flat water only where I can really pay attention and take the time for a good stroke.
For down-winding I use other paddles as I find the 8 degree too demanding on my technique to get good results.
When the Hydro is dialled in on flat water, I really like the 8 degree angle and I believe that it also helps maintain your stroke technique even if you do not use the paddle all the time.
Sometime it feels like all my paddles at 9 degree would be the perfect middle ground.
Definitely using a mix makes you a lot more aware of the angle of the blade depending on the template. Hydro on one end, Andaman on the other end (10 degree feels like too much angle) and Mana and Salish in the middle.
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Thanks for all the replies.
Man my head is spinning, lol :P
I think defo carbon.
But blade size i dont know now, i think i will gave to demo a few.
Cheers
Scuba ;D
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Anon, do you notice the 8 degree blade angle on the BP Surge?
No. My previous paddle was a Werner Rip Stick 79 that had a 7 degree angle. I liked that paddle a lot and used it for several years.
The biggest thing I noticed on my first couple of sessions with the BlackProject Surge was the extra flex from the soft flex shaft. I am at the upper end of the recommended max weight for the soft flex shaft (160lb). The soft flex felt weird at first but is significantly easier on my body. I would not want to go back to using a regular flex shaft.
The T-Grip and the RDS (reduced diameter shaft) also took a couple of sessions to get used to after years of using a palm grip and standard diameter shaft.
The soft flex and reduced diameter shaft would not be an issue for the OP since the largest size BlackProject Surge comes with a medium flex standard diameter shaft.
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ill fess up: the reason id sell you my zre or ho'oloa cheap is because i prefer my kenalu mana to any other paddle ive ever tried, such that i dont bother trying anything else anymore
so you want my honest advice? get the mana. i like the softer xtuf shaft. but that may be because of my painful shoulders.
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Pretty happy with my 8.0 Al Blade.... Hippostick