Messages

211

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 06:24:59 PM »

Oh ok.

212

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 05:47:55 PM »

Jim Terrell. The owner and maker of Quickblades. He's a great guy, and an olympic level canoe paddler. Just joking around.

Which username?

213

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 04:46:30 PM »

Jimmy's just trying to unload all those 110's he has piling up I'm 245 lbs and my KeNalu 95 is perfect.

Who's Jimmy? 2rivers?

214

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 04:34:47 PM »

Kialoa is 250.
The Hala's Lock & Load Carbon Travel Paddle is 180.

The list price for the Grafik is $270, so if you can get it at $180, you might want to jump on it... especially being carbon shafted. Make sure to confirm the blade size. At your weight the 91sq" blade would be fine for your needs. Kialoa's 91sq" blade measures 8" wide, so that's a quick way to confirm what the Hala blade size is.

ONLY two issues....
1)max length is 76" and I'm 6'3"
2)it's black. I might deal with that though.

215

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 04:00:50 PM »

Looks like 100 by that method of calculation

216

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 03:58:08 PM »

Kialoa is 250.
The Hala's Lock & Load Carbon Travel Paddle is 180.

217

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 03:16:44 PM »

A good paddle can make all the difference to your paddling experience. You will know this from your kayaking background, although I think it is even more relevant in paddle boarding. And I would have previously advised you to go out and not be shy about spending a good dollar and get a good paddle that will last you a long time.

I’ve now changed my mind on this however. As you get more experience on your paddle board, your needs in a paddle will probably change. As an example, it was pointed out in this thread that many people end up going with shorter paddles than they started with. This certainly happened with me. I started out by sizing my paddle the same way everyone does. I had my paddle fit to where my wrist broke (with my arm extended above my head), although I was fortunate in that I bought an adjustable paddle. And now, like many others, I am using a paddle that is significantly shorter than the length it would be to where my wrist breaks.

I’m also using a much smaller blade than when I first started.

This has all come about as the mechanics of my paddle stroke have improved. I’ve spent a fair bit of money on paddles and feel that I have just recently got the length and blade size of my paddle really dialed in for what I want. 

So my advice would be as follows. First off, I think you are better off with an adjustable paddle. Adjustable paddles are heavier but it will allow you to experiment with the length. I would get one that at it’s tallest is maybe just over the break in your wrist. This will allow you to have it just longer than the normal sizing method, but should also allow you to go significantly shorter. I think most would agree that as you get more experience it is more likely that you are going to want your paddle to go shorter in length, and with an adjustable as I’ve suggested this will allow you to do this.

Secondly, I would probably not go high end. Because in time you will most likely be replacing this paddle. I wouldn’t go bargain basement cheap, but try to find a mid range, adjustable that isn’t going to break the bank for you.

The one exception I’d say to not going high end is if you can find a used paddle. I sold two Werner adjustable paddles earlier this year for less than half of what they cost new, and both of these paddles were in mint condition. I’m also considering selling my ZRE adjustable paddle and again, I know I’ll get less than half of what I paid for it.

So I’d be looking on this site, on Distressed Mullet and on your local Craigslist for good used paddles. In fact, I believe Kayadogg has some paddles for sale in the classified section on this site right now.

And finally, congrats on your new board and best of luck finding the right paddle. Soon you will be telling us about the second new board you bought, then the third, and all the new paddles you’ve added to your quiver!

This is a wonderful sport, but be careful, as it can be addicting!

Funny you mention all this because that's EXACTLY what I went through during the kayak paddle purchasing phase. I think it was 3 sets bought and sold then BAM bought my first Werner then the second Werner was at a rental shop on Lake Union in Seattle. Funny moment with one of the two brothers who owned the shop. I had cut my middle finger and showed him with my finger in the air and asked for a bandaid then he looked at me and raised HIS middle finger and says ouch, I know what you mean. LOL. I noticed he had this paddle I wanted sitting there and had been for a couple of years. After that moment he sold me the paddle. Good times! !

So yeah, good sound advise I'm going to take just because of past experiences doing the same thing in a different sport.LOL!

My plan is to start middle of the road and probably keep it as a loaner along with this board. Yes, I haven't even gotten the FIRST board and planning for a second one. LOL!!

I thought kite flying was addicting. My last gf couldn't understand the insanity of having multiple kites since I could only fly one at a time. Must be that whole Venus and Mars thing.

I'm sensing a Red in my future but who knows. Time will tell...

218

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 03:03:12 PM »

Werner makes great paddles. The first SUP paddle I bought was a 2-piece Werner Otter tail. The 2 pieces fit together tight, and still do. Like yours, mine is in perfect condition except the spring pin has a little rust on it now. You figure your paddle to be in the 82" to 85" overall length range. So a two piece is going to be a little longer than half that length. My 2 pieces are not equal lengths due to the fact that you can't change where they join.

Can't find that paddle. I'm assuming it's older.

Sound advice for sure though. Thanks

219

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 01:40:39 PM »

Do you have a preference among a two piece adjustable, a three piece travel, or a one piece fixed?

Well, I'm a sea kayaker so this is all new to me. I will say that the two paddles I have are both 2 piece and both Werner Carbons. I've never had to replace either, they both still look brand new and were purchased back in 2005 ish? One is narrower than the other. One red paddle, one yellow. The red one is the narrow one,the yellow one is larger and usually my go to paddle for open waters and more power actually.

So, I'm debating whether or not in this case I'd like the 3 piece just so I can toss it in the bag with everything else or do a 2 or 1 piece.

220

SouthWest / Re: SouthWest Group?

« on: August 16, 2017, 09:20:52 AM »

I'm curious too!!!
Colorado is the MOUNTAIN REGION!!!LOL

221

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 07:15:58 AM »

...adjusting it to the proper height for me

Just FYI: When I started, I was told by multiple people to adjust the paddle based on reaching up and bending my hand over the handle.  The paddle was really long!  Since then, I've gone about 5" shorter than that and it works much better for me.  Not sure how they sized the paddle for you.

Yep! That's how I got sized. Elbow slightly bent.

With that, I'm on the last notch before the "stop here" mark. Leaves zero in the shaft for reinforcement.

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SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Hala Carbon Hoss!!! Wooohoooo!!!!

« on: August 16, 2017, 07:12:49 AM »

Sigh....now you're just teasing me with that picture.  LOL!!

I lived there for 12yrs. and loved it there!! I'm in the Rocky region now. The water in the lakes here are NOT like out there brother.

If all goes as planned, I'll be back out there in the future though. Fingers crossed.

223

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 06:17:11 AM »

Well, so far I like both the Fanatic and the Kialoa.

Nice thing about the Fanatic is the protective strip around the edge of the blade. Couple of thoughts, first one being the adjustment system on the paddle and if there's any twisting issues. The second is if I really need to worry about the protection for the blade or if that's something I can add to any blade and the other thing is if I even need to worry about it at all ever really hitting the boat (which is really my concern since I'm learning the stroke and all).

The Kialoa is also a good contender since REI has them AND I have a 100.00 gift card for them! LOL. Only issue there is they only show it in the black blade option. At least in the carbon option. I'll call them today and see if they have other colors coming down the pipeline or not. I do like their adjustable system more. It seems more solid and no twisting concerns.

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SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Hala Carbon Hoss!!! Wooohoooo!!!!

« on: August 16, 2017, 12:35:44 AM »

Maybe not at first but eventually I'd like to do some easy river runs.

My Seattle! I miss the clear water. Sigh....

225

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for a good choice for a paddle

« on: August 16, 2017, 12:33:05 AM »

I'm not going to give my opinion.

??

I thought the whole point of this was to give one.