Author Topic: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle  (Read 9672 times)

Dusk Patrol

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New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« on: April 09, 2018, 11:43:24 AM »
I think this is newsworthy because: (i) another viable choice is now on the market. (ii) it is light for Kialoa (16 oz), and (iii) interestingly, it's offered only in a 78" blade.

I'm not affiliated with Kialoa, but have been a fan of the company and Danny Chun's attention to quality. And I like the Tahitian handles. Now morphed into 'ergo T' handles.

I've had a couple Methanes and a GL Surf. I don't have them anymore because they weighed on average over 20 oz... relatively heavy, sturdy  beasts.   

Apparently is offered only in a 78" high aspect blade.  I'd like to try one before making conclusions, but that seems small. 

It's marketed as "Built for SUP course racing." 
« Last Edit: April 09, 2018, 11:45:34 AM by Dusk Patrol »
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gone_foiling

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2018, 01:02:05 PM »
Yep, it would be interesting to try. What concerns size I think 78 sq" will do just fine for racing. Never saw their paddles in real life.
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Eagle

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2018, 07:22:02 PM »
Have no idea how that Kialoa paddles.  But while the pic below is a little deceiving -> the SB High Aspect we have is also 78.  It is a very high load paddle at mid stroke good for 5-6 mile distances.  Also use a 67 Enduro -> and find for upwind DW and high cadence distance that blade is plenty so long as you sink it deep.  For DW a 116 Vantage works proper for me. 

Think Connor uses something around a 82 Lima but before used a 79 Bolt.  Fiona uses a 75 Lima and before a 74 Bolt.  My experience is if you can get a nice deep clean catch even that 67 holds like in wet concrete.  The catch is precise and powerful for a low aspect design.  I use it all the time now on my AS.  Really find I cannot overpower it upwind or on flat since my technique improved.

So for racing that 78 should be fine.  Pretty sure most cannot paddle as fast as Connor with his somewhat small 82 -> or Fiona with her 75 for that matter.  ;)
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PonoBill

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2018, 08:21:42 PM »
It's Dave Chun. Kialoa's catch above their area because Dave doesn't like dihedral.
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Bean

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2018, 08:52:56 PM »
I can see Daves point, in some respects the dihedral is to SUP paddles what the cavity-back is to golf clubs.  While we might all like to say we hit forged irons, most of us shoot straighter with the larger sweet spot of a cavity back. 

burchas

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2018, 05:21:55 AM »
That's a very aggressive paddle. Reading the details it's all about power so I don't expect it to
be comfortable, even at 78:

- Super stiff shaft
- Shorter than usual blade for extra stiffness
- 8 degree offset for short fast stiff stroke

If I meant business at 60 strokes per minute this would probably be the paddle,
otherwise, it would just make me feel stiff after a paddle ;) course racing it is.
in progress...

Bean

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2019, 07:48:38 PM »
Anyone using (or tested) the Ewalu lately?

burchas

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2019, 09:03:19 PM »
Anyone using (or tested) the Ewalu lately?

Yes. Very aggressive paddle, Super stiff.  They weren't kidding around with this one. Only had couple
of hours on it. Not enough time to adjust and realize the benefits (if any) of an 8 degrees blade.
in progress...

Bean

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2019, 03:31:37 AM »
Thanks burchas, I guess the 8 degree blade angle makes sense for someone who paddles aggressively in a very bent-forward position because the are pulling the paddle more vertically.  Maybe not for me, since I’m more of a vertical paddler.

Did you hear that Kialoa and Werner are now combined?

burchas

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2019, 06:12:55 AM »
Thanks burchas, I guess the 8 degree blade angle makes sense for someone who paddles aggressively in a very bent-forward position because the are pulling the paddle more vertically.  Maybe not for me, since I’m more of a vertical paddler.

Did you hear that Kialoa and Werner are now combined?

I'm not sure what to make of it. Sounds a lot like a acquihire to get Werner into Outrigger / Dragon boat markets.
These are the only segments they don't overlap.

Will be interesting to see if they'll keep the brand separate or just swallow it in a year or so and just keep the moniker on certain products.
in progress...

Bean

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2019, 07:18:15 AM »
From my personal viewpoint, it seems that QB paddles are more visible in racing than any other brand at the moment.  Perhaps the new business combination might serve to level that out a bit.

In the dragon boat market you have other players like ZRE and Hornet - who by the way make a pretty good low-cost SUP paddle.

burchas

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2019, 08:02:58 AM »
From my personal viewpoint, it seems that QB paddles are more visible in racing than any other brand at the moment.  Perhaps the new business combination might serve to level that out a bit.

In the dragon boat market you have other players like ZRE and Hornet - who by the way make a pretty good low-cost SUP paddle.

It certainly seems like a good play. That's why I think it's more of a acquihire. Though it does seem Werner has a big hole in their Outrigger game which Kialoa can fill along with
a loyal customer base. I'm just more curious about Kialoa sup offerings, quite different design concept which I favor over Werner's.

BTW, there was a big push for the Hornet on the last NYC SEA paddle. They even have a SEA specific model. Have you tried one? What are your thoughts about this paddle?
in progress...

Dusk Patrol

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Bean

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #13 on: January 11, 2019, 10:02:34 AM »
...BTW, there was a big push for the Hornet on the last NYC SEA paddle. They even have a SEA specific model. Have you tried one? What are your thoughts about this paddle?

No, but I've been pretty satisfied with their 95 for surf.

Area 10

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Re: New Kialoa "Ewalu" sup paddle
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2019, 12:23:35 PM »
Thanks burchas, I guess the 8 degree blade angle makes sense for someone who paddles aggressively in a very bent-forward position because the are pulling the paddle more vertically.  Maybe not for me, since I’m more of a vertical paddler.

Did you hear that Kialoa and Werner are now combined?
The Black Project Surge surf paddle also has a 8 degree blade angle. So I suspect that the new Kialoa is oriented very much towards sprints and wave catching. It might work well for short, fast, shallow strokes using a short paddle.

 


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