Finally here Infinity 14

[SouthCounty]

Now I need to find out how I'm gonna lug this thing around ........need paddle recomendations?

[paddlejones]

Great looking board

Paddle recommendation’s

Kenalu mana, or Ho’oloa

Quick blade
Trifecta or v drive... I really dig the handle on these qb paddles


I own both the Ho’oloa and v drive, both really great paddles. The other 2 are on my wish list.

[Night Wing]

Congrats on receiving your new board. She's a thing of beauty. Very sleek.

Thanks for sharing some photos of her.

[TallDude]

You'll have a great time on that board. As far as paddles go, don't cheap out on it. The first two paddles I bought when I started where bottom of the line fiberglass Werner's. Werner makes really good paddles, but I bought their entry level paddles. They were heavy, and didn't work that well. I realized as I got more serious about paddling, that I needed a good paddle. I'm 6'7 and 240 so I needed a longer paddle than was available. Jimmy from Quick Blade built me a custom longer shaft on his 110 elite blade. I paddled that blade for probably 6 years. People were starting to use smaller blades and softer flexing shafts, yet still winning races. I bought a KeNalu 'Maliko' (95) with an flexy X-tuff shaft and ego T handle and I love it. Way easier on my shoulders and I'm definitely faster using it over my old stiff (110) QB. The newer QuickBlade paddles with the tapered shaft flex more than their standard shaft. You can order that shaft on the either the Trifecta or V-drive blades. Don't get an adjustable or 2-piece paddle for your daily paddle.
When you do get a paddle, don't just cut your shaft down down to some length someone tells you is right. Glue it on at full length with a hot glue gun, and wrap the joint with a piece of electrical tape. Paddle with it and if it feels too long, heat up the shaft with a heat gun, and remove the handle. Then cut an inch or two off and re-glue it. At some point you'll find what length feels right. If you want a less expensive CF paddle to start with, pm me and I'll tell you where you can get a decent starter one in our area. I didn't see anything on CL that was worth looking at. If you decide to look at a KeNalu, pm CapoBeachBoy. He can hook you up.

[Luc Benac]

In decreasing order of "power"
Mana 90 with xtuf(s)
Black Project Hydro 83 (84.5) with flex (or medium shaft if good shoulders) or with Kenalu Xtuf(s)
Mana 82 with xtuf(s)
These are the ones I know and can recommend

[comeu]

@Luc , is it possible to mound a Black Project blade on a Ke Nalu shaft?

[Luc Benac]

@Luc , is it possible to mound a Black Project blade on a Ke Nalu shaft?

Yes I use the Hydra83 on a Xtuf(S) without any problem. You need to use a KeNalu handle as the Kenalu shaft is tapered and the BP shaft is straight.

[zacksc]

How much does that weigh??

[TallDude]

SouthCounty, I missed this one on CL. Good starter paddle, and very close by.  https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/d/kialoa-sup-paddle/6438379786.html

[dano59]

Paddlesurf Warehouse, same design half the cost. Vdrive or trifecta
You’ll not no the difference. 🤙🏽

[Eagle]

Would get a carbon paddle and blade from SB Blackfish Riviera QB KN Werner Sawyer SIC etc.  Each is a bit different and has a different feel.  So hard to know what will work best for you.  I personally have 5 paddle combos that provide a slightly different feel from one another.  Each feels great but is better suited for one condition vs another.  Have used paddles from each of those brands.

[PonoBill]

If you're considering KeNalu, for a board like that with a relatively new paddler, I'd look at the KeNalu Konihi blade. either the small 84 or the larger 95. You'll find your stroke changes a lot as you progress and Konihis can span all the changes. They reward a good stroke by being noiseless and super-smooth when you bury the blade and making a sound like a toilet flushing when you don't. The pull straight no matter what you do, the tiny wings that look almost decorative are actually a powerful correction for an improperly angled blade. You actually can't angle the blade to do a J-stroke.

Once your stroke improves they are powerful blades. I wish I brought my 95 with me. I've switched over to the 84 for downwinding in the Gorge, but here in Maui the winds are lighter and the fetch is longer, so the wind swells get big even with a puny 20mph wind. It takes more torque to bang into them. I can go faster on the flats with an 84 but I don't get the sudden acceleration I need.

Anyway, the shaft depends on your shoulders. If you're young and can handle impact in your joints the 100Flex or 90Flex is great. If you're a geezer or your shoulders are touchy then the xTuf(s) is magic. There are any number of people on the zone who can attest that a xTuf(S) cured their shoulder pain.

I don't have any continuing financial interest in Ke Nalu, I just like the paddles a lot. I've tried everything--there are some great paddles available. The engineering for Quickblades is excellent, but Ke Nalu suits me best, and the versatility of the hot glue assembly, which Ke Nalu pioneered and perfected, makes them a great value.

[Luc Benac]

Yes Xtuf(S) all the way. Perfect for a 20km paddle without a painful neck the day after.
The Konihi is a great paddle but I just could not keep the perfect technique after several km and then started to slow down. The Mana is easier specially in crappy conditions. I like the 90 for choppy and downwind and the 82 for fast cadenced flat.

[Eagle]

Yep going to a bigger blade for DW works for me.  I use a 116 for max torque for that.  Anything smaller seems underpowered.  For upwind and long distance I use a small 67.  While for flat speed I use a 78 high aspect.  But this works for me.  What someone else likes is probs going to different.  So helps to get a quiver specifically sorted for you and your requirements.

[SouthCounty]

Thanks for the feed back. one thing I've learned so far is good paddles aren't cheap and cheap paddles aren't good;)