Entry level paddles?

[surfcal]

As a retailer this may sound dumb, but has any one come across any price point paddles that they feel are any good?
I get that question all the time but I have not found anything suitable as of yet. I do carry the other major brands, C-4, Kialoa, Quickblades, Kinamaka, etc.
Thanks all for the help

[DavidJohn]

Good question Bob...There does need to be more cheap paddles out there...Even top brands using plain old fiberglass have gotta be much cheaper.

All that I can recommend is the Naish alloy and NSP's new 11'x30" SUP was to come with a cheap paddle..I've not seen it yet but I may be worth looking into it.

DJ

[surfcal]

David,
You are becoming my eyes down under.  I just got an e-mail from my Global Rep and he had your review of the NSP with photos included.  That was a nice surprise.  He did say that it does not come with the paddle.  I have had the global fiberglass composites in before but I am still looking for lower cost to the consumer.

[motopilot]

Surfcal, I think you really have the best price point paddle out there already.  The Kialoa SUS (stan up surf).  Yes I know it is not cheap but its a lot cheaper than a full carbon.  Its also much stronger than a really cheap alu paddle.  When I used to work in the shop we had this same problem when the Sit on Top kayaks were selling like crazy.  We were looking for the same thing, a inexpensive price point paddle.  Well we found one and sold 60 of them in about a week.  Then two weeks later I think we got 30 of them back all broken.  I ended up exchanging everyone to the more expensive paddle (which we ended up using as out main paddle) at no cost. 

I think if you can explain to the customer the difference between the $99 paddle and the $300 paddle they will see the light and get the better quality product.  Educating the customer is the most important part.  Hope this helps but as I said before I think you already have some great product.

[tde]

Last week I was sent a paddle to demo that is sold along with the ULI. It is a three piece, aluminum, adjustable length paddle. I think its made by Quickblade (at least in came in a Quickblade box).  I decided not to get the ULI but did buy the paddle.  Not because its a great paddle, (its got a flat blade and its definitely a little heavy....no comparison with the Kialoa or C4 that I have)...but because it will be great to have a cheap adjustable paddle for anyone who wants to try my SUP's (kids through adults) and I'll take it as a back-up paddle on surf trips in case my other 2-piece C4 somehow gets broken. The price was between $130-140 and I got it from East Coast Paddling Surfing who are down in south Fla.  Just thought I'd pass this along as this seems like it would make a pretty good "one size fits all" entry level paddle. 

[Dwight (DW)]

I assume you already know about all wood paddles on the market priced at ~$199?

[supstoked]

I heard last week that SURFTECH has a shipment coming in of aluminum paddles that will retail under $200.

[surfcal]

DW,
 What do you know?

[tim mellors]

Hey Bob,
Hope all is well in sunny SD. I shall pop in and see you for a surf in sept.

Over here in the U.K our cheap entry level paddle that we sell, retails at Ł39.99 (approx $85.00). I am sure that buying 50 or so including shipping would still be able to retail at under $100 with a reasonably good profit percentage.
They have a nylon/fiberglass composite blade and a powder coated alloy shaft. We sell them, rent them and beat the hell out of them and never seen one broken.
Check them out at www.ainsworthpaddles.net
Best regards,
Tim Mellors

[motopilot]

That looks like an OK starter paddle but is it stiff enough for SUP? 

[DavidJohn]

I made my own sup paddles for years and had none bend or break.

The black anodized alloy tube..the plastic T grip..and the stiff/strong plastic blade cost me about $50 all up.

I even made a cheap adjustable..and cut the blade to different blade shapes.

I bought all my bits form a local /kayak shop..You should check that out.

DJ

[Dwight (DW)]

DW,
 What do you know?

Wood paddles selling for under $200 are Jimmy Lewis, Gillespie, Sawyer.

[Big Island Mike]

Dj,   Those look great!   How about a pipe bender to give it a 10% kerf.

[DavidJohn]

Dj,   Those look great!   How about a pipe bender to give it a 10% kerf.

Thanks...I often thought about doing the bend thing but never did..I was so used to the flat paddle and not having to worry about which way round I held it.

I might do one just for the fun of it...It's not till now that I realize how much better an angle on the blade is.

I don't know why sup shops don't just do what I did and sell them to newbies for little profit..just to get them started.

I'm sure they'll be back for a carbon job down the track.

DJ