Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: SouthCounty on June 29, 2020, 05:45:53 PM
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I know this has prolly been discussed several times, BUT, what are you guys using for a better grip on your paddles? Im using surf wax but man that stuff really smears and clumps up fast.
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My Ke-Nalu race / distance paddle has texture on the shaft that is perfect. My surf paddles are cheaper beaters with smooth / slippery shafts. I just twist a little electrical tape around the shaft where I need it. I replace it every 6 months or so. Or it just comes off in pieces. Low tech. BrentP gave me some sticky stuff but I didn't like sticky stuff on my hands.
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All my paddles are Ke Nalu and don't really need anything, but I use paddle wax sometimes, especially for long distances. It's harder than surf wax and doesn't ball up. I sometimes use hockey tape in the grip area but it's too sticky at first. I wax it with paddle wax to calm down the stickiness. The wax stays on for a long time if you have hockey tape on the shaft.
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This is the Paddle Wax that I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Up-Paddle-Grip-Wax/dp/B01L6TQJ5I/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=paddle+grip+wax&qid=1593517208&sr=8-3
Like Pono said, it stays on for a long time.
Great on the handle, as well as the shaft, to eliminate sweaty or greasy hands from slipping.
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For my smooth shafted paddles, I'm liking the RSPro product (link below) You can find it on Amazon too, a little spendy but it lasts. Their paddle edge saver works well too.
https://www.rspro.org/products/paddle-grip-rspro-hexa (https://www.rspro.org/products/paddle-grip-rspro-hexa)
Also tried TEGS grip tape, which I don't recommend. Grip material separated from its adhesive before I finished 1 session with it in the surf.
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;D ;D
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My Joe Blair paddle came with eva grip where the bottom hand goes, and on the bottom of the shaft (for board whacks). I am not a fan of eva, too abrasive on wet skin. I prefer using hockey tape around the shaft. A black paddle can be difficult to spot in the surf, hockey tape comes in colors other than black. The hockey tape supplies grip and gives the carbon a little whack protection. Whacks & chips on carbon can lead to shaft failure (crack), so this was my motivation. I do have a little electrical tape near the handle union, as hockey tape was a little too abrasive there. I had found that I like to wrap hockey tape around my old kitesurfing bars, I like the texture. I only use my carbon paddle in the surf. I prefer using a wood paddle (shaft & blade) for flat water paddling. I seal the wood with tung oil. Wood has a nice texture.
https://www.jblairsurf.com/big-guy-sup-paddles/ (https://www.jblairsurf.com/big-guy-sup-paddles/)
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I do love a good wood paddle, but it's a challenge to keep them from breaking or cracking. I'd like to get Malama Chun to make me another--maybe next winter.
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The RSPro stuff is pretty good depending how slippery your palms are. I found it suitable for many conditions but if i'm paddling in hot humid conditions it's not grippy enough for me
so I used to put the 3M Grip Material: https://smile.amazon.com/3M-Gripping-Material-TB641-Black/dp/B0093CQPW8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=3m+grip+material&qid=1593619768&sr=8-2
Comes as tape or as sheet. Superior non-abrasive grip, you won't slip even with sun-screen residue on your palms. Just let it rest for a day after applying before going on the water.