Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order => Topic started by: LBsup on December 28, 2020, 11:45:39 AM
-
I bought this paddle several weeks ago and after many surf sessions I figured I’d give a report. Since the pandemic and working from home I’ve been doing a lot of sup surfing. After a session my right shoulder was suddenly aching. Ive had two left shoulder surgeries so the familiar pain was concerning. I’ve been using the werner rip stick 71”, I’m 5’9”, 205lb. I’ve had this paddle for several years and think it’s great also very durable. I was a bit in panic mode sup surfing is my main activity and did not want to take time off to heal. I have an older Quickblade Kanaha that awhile back I had cut to 70” but the handle loosened up during a session so I put it aside...feeling desperate I got a glue stick put the handle back on and was ready for the following day. While going 1” shorter gave me immediate relief to my shoulder I found the QB paddle required me to think about how the blade was entering the water, think about my technique which I didn’t like. The QB blade is fairly flat and not forgiving (technique wise IMO) like a more dihedral blade. So I started researching paddles and at first thought of another shorter RipStick with a smaller blade but they are sold out. Then the obvious choice of Kenalu mana but I have to be honest while I’ve cut and shortened a couple of my paddles I prefer a new paddle that’s ready to go out of the box; I guess I’m a bit intimidated cutting a new paddle. That being said if I had not just replaced a hot water heater and had cash in hand I would and maybe will in the future buy a kenalu. So I started looking at the Black Project Surge. Definitely not as many reviews as the kenalu but I remembered a comment on this site about how light the paddle is but mentioned the slim shaft and blade size 77 max. as only option available which seemed to conflict with the website. The BP website has an extensive resource page which may have some outdated information so I decided to send an email asking for clarification...I sent the email early Monday (I’m in NJ) around noon my phone rang the caller ID said Maui. It was a rep or owner (English accent named Chris) called to talk about the paddle, cleared everything up. I will say the paddle is expensive but BP uses Klarne as a payment method, you can pay it off over 8 weeks with no interest. So I purchased the paddle that same Monday received it via fedex on Wednesday the same week. Cut to size at 69”, blade size L = 85. My RipStick blade is 90.
When I took the paddle out of the box I was immediately struck by how light it was by far the lightest paddle I’ve owned. During my first session the light weight felt weird but the smaller blade and shorter length was an immediate relief for my shoulder and the pronounced dihedral blade felt much better entering the water. Now after several weeks of use I like the paddle a lot, paddles really well, of course durability is to be determined but it appears well made. And most importantly my shoulder feels good. One thing I need to say about a couple comments on another thread on this site mentioning the shaft is slippery. I’m not sure if BP recently updated the shaft but mine has small ridges and has the best grip of any paddle I own(ed) this includes QB, Werner and Kialoa.
Happy New Year,
Ken
-
Nice looking paddle.
I empathize about the shoulder. Both of mine are junk. It took me three tries to hang my jacket up yesterday on a high closet rod.
If you do eventually get a Ke Nalu make sure to get an xTuf(S) shaft. It makes a huge difference. the only paddle I brought with me to SoCal was a Ke Nalu Konihi with the 100Flex shaft (very stiff). I broke the blade and was able to find a replacement, but even with the small 82 blade my shoulders ache after every session. If I had brought an xTuf(s) they would feel great. Stupid.