What’s on your shaft?

[Chilly]

I’m having trouble getting a good grip on my paddle when sweat and sunscreen gets on my hands. I was wondering what other Zoners are using on their shaft and handle?

[AJR]

I've used Sticky Bumps paddle wax before and it does a great job but is messy - gets all over your board.  Now I'm using TEGS grip tape and it's holding up well so far.   I tried Monster traction paint in the past but since I had to use a light coat and it didn't last long (go heavy and it's too rough).

[Glider]

Being and old winsurfer I use windsurfing boom grip.  It's thin, durable and has nice cushion feel with no slippage.  My friend in So Cal MR. Derrick Ho showed me how to install it.  If apllied correctly it last a long time.  An 18" piece centered where your bottom hand goes 24" works well to.   On my touring paddle I tied a turks head decorative knot at both ends of the grip.  Makes me feel more nauticle.

I used 3 M spray adhesive contack cement to attach grip to paddle shaft.  Easy to apply.  Tape off shaft, spray shaft and grip material, let stand for 5 min, roll on grip around shaft evenly, trim grip material with a new razor blade.   Try to cut the seam a close as possible, press seam together.  Then I re-tape the length of the seam to hold it until it drys good.  2 hours does it.  Peel tape slowly and your ready to go.  

You can buy this stuff from Chinook booms or most windsurf shops can get it.

This will add to the diameter of the shaft.  You will adjust in no time to the feel of the larger shaft.   When I use someone else's paddle with out it, it feels strange.

Best part is no slippage when you really step on the gas.  

Hope this helps.

[Dwight (DW)]

I tried wax. Makes a mess
I tried Monster paint. Wears off too quick.
I tried windsurfer non-skid. A little tricky to get right. Blisters if you apply too much.
I tried this http://surfmorexm.com/content/clear-grip%E2%84%A2-surfboard-traction

Surfmorexm traction sheets are perfect. Very thin, grippy without giving blisters. Several of us here use this stuff. I've seen it on Blanes paddle too. Back when he used to hang on the zone.  

I still don't know how anybody can use a bare slippery shaft.  

[SUPerstitious]

The best grip I have found is electrical shrink tube (the type that contracts when heated). It's dirt cheap ($9 for a 4 ft piece), comes in several colors, the grip is great, lasts forever.

I have done this to two of my paddles (pre Ke Nalu), and many of my friends paddles. The only challenge is that it needs to be installed before you fix the paddle handle into place (I suppose you could get it over the handle, but it might be a tight fit).

One 4 ft. piece of this can easily cover 4-6 paddles (at 10-12 inches each).

[stoneaxe]

I used to hate that...don't worry about it now with the Ke Nalu shafts.

[paddlejones]

nothing on my kenalu

[Bulky]

Nothing to add...I have a KeNalu as well...

The real reason I clicked on this thread is to read the inevitable wisecrack from PDX.  With a subject line like this, you're basically putting it on the tee for him.

Wait for it....

[1tuberider]

Nothing.

Once you have windsurfed 20 years or so nothing can escape your grip. 

Try it.  If you don't windsurf get something to strengthen your grip muscles.  When you shake a hand and feel your fingers getting crushed you know you gotta muscle up.  No excuses.

[Dwight (DW)]

Nothing.

Once you have windsurfed 20 years or so nothing can escape your grip. 

Try it.  If you don't windsurf get something to strengthen your grip muscles.  When you shake a hand and feel your fingers getting crushed you know you gotta muscle up.  No excuses.

Let me strip that grip off your boom mr smarty pants 

[blueplanetsurf]

At Blue Planet, we use this microgrip tape on smooth shafts.  It's very grippy even if your hands are covered in sunscreen and does not add much thickness to the shaft like an EVA grip does.  It has a very fine grip pattern, like tiny velcro hooks, and won't give you blisters:

http://blueplanetsurf.com/product.php?productid=16564

[pdxmike]

Nothing to add...I have a KeNalu as well...

The real reason I clicked on this thread is to read the inevitable wisecrack from PDX.  With a subject line like this, you're basically putting it on the tee for him.

Wait for it....

Sorry--can't think of anything.

[Chilly]

The real reason I clicked on this thread is to read the inevitable wisecrack from PDX.  With a subject line like this, you're basically putting it on the tee for him.

Wait for it....

Yeah, I’m surprise no one has mention JLo.

At Blue Planet, we use this microgrip tape on smooth shafts.  It's very grippy even if your hands are covered in sunscreen and does not add much thickness to the shaft like an EVA grip does.  It has a very fine grip pattern, like tiny velcro hooks, and won't give you blisters:

http://blueplanetsurf.com/product.php?productid=16564

Thanks for all of the good information. Learning a lot about the different options.

[madmax]

I knew a guy in the Navy with a fly tatooed on....

the sight haunts me to this day.

[Takeo]

Pre Kenalu, I'd gently wetsand the gloss off the QB shafts and carbon grip, 400-600 grit should work fine.  With KeNalu, the positive grip prevents hand fatigue, allows for a loose relaxed grip, with no wobble.  In the long run, this helps save energy in distance or race paddling.