Quickblade elite race blade size

[XLR8]

I'm hoping to capitalize on the collective wisdom of this forum...

I'm selecting a new race paddle and have decided on either the Quickblade elite race or a ZRE paddle.

If I go with the Quickblade I'm interested in opinions on blade size.  This paddle will be strictly high cadence distance and race paddling in a variety of conditions.

I'm 6'2, 185 or so...gotta work fairly hard to keep myself at 185.  I'm looking at the 100 blade at an 85 inch length.

Any views or considerations would be appreciated.

[DavidJohn]

I'm 6'2, 185 or so...gotta work fairly hard to keep myself at 185.  I'm looking at the 100 blade at an 85 inch length.

Any views or considerations would be appreciated.

Sounds about right to me.

DJ

[NathV4]

I haven't had enough experience with different paddles, but I was wondering the same thing. I wasn't sure if the 100 blade would be too big for higher cadence. I'm a lean 214lbs at 5'11" and I'm considering the same as far as paddles.

[XLR8]

Thanks DJ.  Would you use that paddle on a downwinder with your Glide14?  That would be the other application.  I have an 84 inch Spanker as well.

[paddlejones]

if you can... test out a werner fuse & Nitro

[XLR8]

I had looked at the Nitro...lots of good reviews.  I also really like Kialoa.  Doesn't seem like I could go wrong, really, other than overall length and blade size for the application.  I'm also really interested in the ZRE from my canoe days.  It comes down to maybe getting a real good deal on the QB.

[DavidJohn]

Thanks DJ.  Would you use that paddle on a downwinder with your Glide14?  That would be the other application.  I have an 84 inch Spanker as well.

I use the Kialoa Methane and it has a 97" blade size.. The Shaka Pu'u is 100 and I find that just a little big for me.

I have a few friends that use the QB elite now and they have gone for the 100" blade size.. I think their next size down (90") would be a bit small and the next size up (110") would be a bit big... imo..  

I think 85" seems a good length for you at your height.. It should also work well on down-winders.

DJ

[XLR8]

Thanks again DJ...and the Glide 14 is a recent purchase highly influenced by your comments on the Zone over the last couple years.  Naish should kick you down something..

[PBS]

Hey XLR8,

Love that name! First saw it on a Corvette license plate as IXLR8.
I agree with you, the Elite 100 would be a perfect fit. Feel free to call if you'd like to review any and all paddles.
Gary Stone
Paddleboard Specialists
Madison, Wisconsin
877-473-1199
608-849-0600 direct line

[XLR8]

Thanks PBS.  I'm about ready to pull the trigger on the QB, but my early canoe days keep pulling me back to the Zavarel paddle...

http://www.zre.com/catalog/-c-22_43.html?osCsid=710555854e2be421d31ac2cd96ab8fc5

And I'll veer from my OP (can I hijack my own thread?)...

PBS, what do you know about the WPA Great Lakes Region Race Series?

There are at least two events in Michigan and a couple in Minnesota.  Anything in WI?

[JillRide45]

I have the ZRE SUP paddle and just love it.  Mine is 7.75" wide and just about the same surface area as the 8.3" QB.  My paddle is just shy of 15 oz at 76" long.  

Here are the differences between the QB and ZRE (husband has QB and I have ZRE, he got the QB before we knew of ZRE)

1.  The shaft on the ZRE is ovalized where the QB is large round.   I really like the ovalized shaft as it just fits in your hand.

2.  The blade shape on the two are different.  The ZRE blade keeps the width much higher in the paddle blade where the QB is widest at the bottom and then narrows up.

3.  The ZRE uses a carbon handle where the QB has the availability of the soft handle.  I just prefer the light weight carbon handle.  

The ZRE SUP blade widths are really just two different blade widths that they trim down.  I believe it is 9.5" (can be taken down to 8.5", there outrigger paddle) or the 8.5" (can be taken down to 7.5", flatwater paddle).  

To me the ZRE paddle has a smoother catch and better exit than the QB but a lot of it is just personal preference.  I also love how light weight the ZRE is, but be warned if you are doing downwinders it may be too light.  

I can paddle a larger ZRE paddle (surface area) than a QB so be warned when ordering. I am now thinking of ordering a 8.25".   If you get the right blade for the range you are interested in, go big and just trim it down if it is not working for you.  Call them up, they are great guys.  I ordered my paddle on Tuesday and let them know I had a race that weekend.  The shipped it to me overnight from New York just so I would have it time (no extra charge to me).  

Cheers, Jill

[XLR8]

Wow, Jill thanks!  I wish my wife could articulate about stand-up paddling that way 

I understand that some newer ZREs combine a red kevlar weave into the shaft to stiffen it up.  Do you have any views on that?

It sure is fun to consider every option...

[JillRide45]

I got my ZRE paddle in February and it has no red that I can see in the shaft.  I am 5'7" 110 lbs so the shaft is plenty strong for me.  Unlike the QB shafts the ZRE shaft does not appear to have a lot of clear coat over it.  The first 4 or 5 long paddles resulted in some black spots on my hands.  Seems fine now.

Jill