review of the Ke Nalu (Pono Bill) paddle

[Rideordie]

Yesterday, I went out with my son and used my wife's paddle.  She has the exact same Extended ergo T, xTuf(s) and Maliko blade.  It is cut down more to her length, @ 74 inches.  So, I heated it up and extended it to my preferred 78 length.  Then went for a ride.  I could bend that thing like a noodle when really cranking it,  I had a a nice return snap at the end of the stroke.  Way different than the shaft on my exact same set up.  Do I like it better than my stiffer set up?  No sure yet.  Maybe yes for cruising, but think thinking I would prefer the stiffer shaft for racing.  Most of what I do is cruising, but I am still hesitant to say I would want to switch.  Comfortable old shoe maybe.  The shaft sure makes a lot of difference!!             

[TN_SUP]

Did similar thing this weekend, been paddling xtuf Wiki and Maliko and decided to try my carbon shaft Wiki that the wife was using all summer. I can't take it! My shoulders started hurting while paddling and are still sore. Carbon shaft will be my "visitor" paddle from now on. Didn't realize how good the xtuf was for me.

[PonoBill]

Yeah, okay, that's not normal, but I wouldn't mind having that shaft. If you want to swap it out for a regular xTuf(S) I'd be glad to do it.

[crtraveler]

Just going back over some of this thread and noticing that the xtuf (s) is apparently labeled as "70c" on the shaft but is being referred to (and apparently labeled) as an "80" as well...  Wouldn't it be easier to just label it the same way across the board?  Maybe that has been done since I got my last one?  I have another one on order so just getting excited...

[TN_SUP]

Thinking about it, I was able to extend the xtuf an inch taller (9" overhead) than the carbon which works much better for me. I forgot that extra inch. Bill you retrived my Maliko I had originally ordered from UPS and replaced it with the Wiki after expressing my shoulder issues, great customer service. I would love to exchange it for a xtuf but its already cut. I'll pm you later today.

[Rideordie]

Bill, I am not sure which one you are referring to that is not normal.  The stiff one or the snappy one?  I am guessing the stiff one is not normal.  The snappy one is about what I would have expected given what I had read.  I appreciate the offer, but I think I will keep both.         

[PonoBill]

Bill, I am not sure which one you are referring to that is not normal.  The stiff one or the snappy one?  I am guessing the stiff one is not normal.  The snappy one is about what I would have expected given what I had read.  I appreciate the offer, but I think I will keep both.         

The super stiff one. It's probably the only one presently, though it certainly looks interesting, and it's something Lane might want to consider.

[Rideordie]

 .Kind of cool that I have a one off shaft!!  But,  if y'all need it for R&D we may be able to work something out.  You and Lane are stand up guys. Pun intended. It would make me happy to help you out in the interest of SUP and science!!  Might want to swap out for an elite shaft this time.  Just to try something different.  Give me a chance to think about it and I will PM you two. 

[PonoBill]

It's not really both of us, I sold my interest in Ke Nalu to Lane almost a year ago. I'm just curious about the shaft and I have an extra Xtuf(s) that I'd trade for it. But I can't speak for Lane.

[Rideordie]

Let me think about that a bit Bill.  I do like a little variety for differing conditions.  I will PM you back.         

[viatormundi]

I need a paddle for long distance paddling ( anything from 10km up to 40km a day). My current paddles QB Kanaha Elite 100 and SIC Nano 95 are too stiff for that purpose. I just finished the SUP 11 City Tour in Holland (220km in 5 days) with the SIC paddle and my shoulders are still hurting. I was thinking of Maliko blade with 90 Flex or xTuff(s) shaft for that purpose. Which shaft would you recommend? Is there much weight difference between those two shafts?

[PonoBill]

Maliko and xTuf(S) is balm for my crappy shoulders.  The weight difference is trivial--a few grams

[Area 10]

There seems to be a great difference of opinion about Ke Nalu paddles on this forum, but I find the Ke Nalu paddles hard on my body. I have Wiki and Maliko blades with the 90 shaft and the XTuf(s) and the combination of the blade design and the shafts makes them pretty stiff. The Ke Nalu catch is very immediate because of the low blade angle so you need to be ready for that also. Maybe it's a matter of personal technique and physique. But I find the Ke Nalus more tiring to use than any of my other paddles. I wish they made a much more flexible shaft. I've also found it difficult to get the length right for the Ke Nalus where all my other paddles are just fine cut to the same length.

For long paddles I use a QB Elite 90 with the new(ish) oval tapered shaft. It is a very clever shaft design that gives you flex just where you need it. The new handle is lovely too, and has reduced blistering for me. It is a very kind paddle on the body as well as being very light and effective. Travis Grant used one of the smaller-headed QB with the oval tapered shaft when he won the M2O, I believe. I've heard - but do not know for sure - that there might be a 92 Sq inch blade that is the shape of the Slim Jim and you can get it with the oval tapered shaft. That might be the perfect ultra-distance paddle, at least for me.

[TN_SUP]

That's what I've been waiting for, a Greenland style standup paddle like the one I kayak with! I would buy a QB paddle if it had a hot glue handle, as I already bought a Werner the wrong length, its an expensive mistake. How does the length of your QB compare to the wiki or Maliko?

[PonoBill]

Ke Nalus are definitely not for everyone. they catch early and hard, even in the Wiki size. If that doesn't suit your style, then you simply won't like it. They also take some time to get used to--a characteristic I've never really experienced with other paddles. That said, I haven't found anything I like better, and I've tried a lot.

I've never considered the shafts to be stiff, especially the xTuf shafts. I've heard more complaints that they're too flexible--even the 100Flex.