Another Ke Nalu Blade Thread

[spirit4earth]

I’m looking for a blade that is very forgiving on the shoulders.  Can I get input on the Elite Wiki 74 vs the Mana 82 vs the Konihi 84 (which I have but might trade).  What are the weight differences?  Which blades require the more perfect technique?
Thanks in advance!

[burchas]

Mana vs Konihi, the Mana is more forgiving both on shoulders and technic IMO.
maybe someone else has input on the Wiki 74 but it look like very surf oriented to me.

[Area 10]

I wouldn’t think of the Wiki as a particularly soft and forgiving blade, for the size.

With quite stiff blades like the Ke Nalu, it’s the shaft that will matter a lot. For you, I’d get the xtuf, ie. the softest they do.

As far as other brands go, the QB Trifecta is kind to the body, and the cheaper versions with softer material will be easier still.

Black Project now make a 72” Surge paddle that you can get with a flex shaft. It’s designed for light people in the 35 – 60kg range, and would be quite easy on the body for a smaller person (despite the blade angle they use).

[spirit4earth]

I have an xTuff, but I haven’t switched handles yet.  Maybe that will make the Konihi feel softer.

[JimK]

The handle isn't going to change the softness and
The Mana has a softer catch and more forgiving design
Wiki is more forgiving to paddling technique

OR

For less than you pay for a new MANA you could get a Chinook Thrust 82 just as light very forgiving.

PM me for more details

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[supcymru]

Spirit,
We must have the same taste in sup kit as I have both the 84 Wki and 74 Wiki. I bought 84 first and then the 74 a couple of years later. When my shoulders aren't feeling too good the Wiki 74 is definitely easier. The cadance is quicker and that suits me when catching waves. The quality of both paddles are excellent and I'm very pleased with them!

[NorthJerzSurfer]

Spirit,
We must have the same taste in sup kit as I have both the 84 Wki and 74 Wiki. I bought 84 first and then the 74 a couple of years later. When my shoulders aren't feeling too good the Wiki 74 is definitely easier. The cadance is quicker and that suits me when catching waves. The quality of both paddles are excellent and I'm very pleased with them!

I also have both and agree completely with supcymru.  I use the 84 in smaller waves when my cadence doesn't have to be as quick but i want to get the board planing.  I dont use the Xtuf 74 much anymore because I bought the black project 77 Surge. 

That paddle is very forgiving but doesnt give near the torque of the Wiki.   I use the Surge for bigger waves when Im very close to the impact zone and maybe only taking 3-5 very high cadence paddles to pivot and takeoff on the face. 

That said- im 215lbs so I'd be suprised if you would need the 84 for your application as I think you weigh a bit less from other posts.

[spirit4earth]

Spirit,
We must have the same taste in sup kit as I have both the 84 Wki and 74 Wiki. I bought 84 first and then the 74 a couple of years later. When my shoulders aren't feeling too good the Wiki 74 is definitely easier. The cadance is quicker and that suits me when catching waves. The quality of both paddles are excellent and I'm very pleased with them!

Is that the Elite Wiki or the xTuff?  I don’t think I need the xTuff.  Btw, this isn’t for surfing, but rather for lakes and a calm ocean.  I do like the idea of smaller!

[supcymru]

Both have the xtuf blades and ergo handles but the 84 has the xtuf(s) shaft whilst the 74 has the 100 flex shaft. When I paddle on flat days the 74 feels great to me.

[mrbig]

I own a Wiki 74 with the x tuf stiff for surfing cut at head high; and a mana 84 with the x tuff stiff for flat water and the very occasional race.

My shoulders are 71 years young; total junk from baseball and hockey. There is a reason kids don't throw curve balls in little league now.
But in 58 since I grew early I was nasty..

Once I got the smallest blades possible problems of discomfort vanished..

[spirit4earth]

I don’t know if I should go with the Elite Wiki 74 or the xTuff Wiki 74.
I’d like to trade the Konihi 84 for one, if possible.

[mrbig]

Xtuf way easier on shoulders if that's your major concern.

[spirit4earth]

Xtuf way easier on shoulders if that's your major concern.

I thought this was just true of the shafts.  The xTuff Wiki is fiberglass,right?  I guess that would be slightly “softer” than the Elite carbon blade.

[mrbig]

Was just referring to the shafts.

[paddlejones]

Elite is high grade carbon, more pretty fiber's & less epoxy, Xtuff is slightly lower grade carbon, not as pretty, like flat black, More epoxy to fiber ratio than the elite. So it is a little heavier than the elite.

Xtuff is not fiberglass, it is carbon.