Is it normal for paddle handles to snap off?

[NMPaddler]

My paddle handle snapped off the other day. I've only been paddling for a season and half and I'm a bit disappointed that my $200+ paddling didn't last longer. Just long enough to be out of warranty, naturally. The paddle is a Indy Tour 720 by Accent.

Is this a typical failure mode for a paddle? Freak incident?

Could it have been caused by poor technique? I've been working on my paddling technique lately and on the day the paddle broke, I was focusing on putting my weight on the paddle to drive the board forward hard. At 165 lbs, I'm not that big. And it never occurred to me I had to be especially careful how I paddled.

[gone_foiling]

Paddle do break sometimes, but this one has nothing to do with your technique and everything to do with shitty plastic handle. Do yourself a favor and find a nice used paddle from quickblade, kenalu, zre and don't waist your money on inferior stuff.

[PonoBill]

The leverlock handle appears to sacrifice a bit of strength for easy adjustability, and it looks to be ABS, not carbon or fiberglass, so the strength is fairly low to start with. Still, a nice design of the locking mechanism and the paddle looks decent. I'd contact the company and see if you can buy a replacement handle.

200 is a fair chunk of money, but it's not a lot for a good paddle--they run more like 400-500 for premium paddles these days.

[TallDude]

I have a bunch of paddles. In all the years I've paddled I've never broke a handle. I've had them come loose and twist, but never break.

[NMPaddler]

PonoBill: That's was a great idea. I shot them an email this afternoon to see if I can replace the handle or perhaps just the top piece of the paddle inexpensively. 

TallDude: Maybe Accent will take that into account and replace it.  Probably not but we'll see.

gzasinets: My SUP came with a free paddle and I upgraded the cheap freebie to this paddle for $99. I don't know any of the companies you named but I'll look into them.

If I can't fix mine, perhaps I can get one on sale this winter or perhaps find a good, used one. Hopefully for a lot less than $400. Guess I getter start reading up on paddles <sigh>.

[TallDude]

Keeping it in the zone... Here you go. https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36440.msg420019/topicseen.html#new

QuickBlades are top of the line. The Trifecta is a good paddle..  http://www.quickbladepaddles.com/store/Trifecta-Paddle-from-QB

[NMPaddler]

Cool! Thank you TallDude.

[Area 10]

Those leverlock handles do fail sometimes. As others have said, treat yourself to a decent paddle. I agree, Quickblade, Ke Nalu, ZRE are all very good. I have about 30 paddles from many brands and have owned many more in the past. Most have their pros and cons, but the most consistently good designs and constructions have been from Quickblade. They tend to be a bit expensive. But you get what you pay for, as you have discovered.

[Green Water Sports]

Talk to Peter or Stuart at Accent Paddles, they are usually pretty good with product support. +1-612-722-0057

[NMPaddler]

Thanks Julian. I sent Accent an email before I saw your post. They responded quickly and let me know I can get a new handle for $20 + shipping. I've sent them a follow-up email asking how to remove what's left of the handle from the shaft since it's not obvious to me. Doesn't seem to be screwed on. And if it's glued on, I don't see how I can remove it to attach a new handle.

Area 10: I hear what you're saying. I kinda thought I was getting a decent paddle since it retails for about $220. Live and learn. Anyway, if I can fix this one cheap, guess I do that. Otherwise, I'll seriously eyeballing the link TallDude sent me. And if that opportunity disappears, I'll see if I can get one in the off-season. Might do that regardless. Sucks having to paddle back to shore with half a paddle.

For a sport that just involves paddling a floating thing across the water, it's surprisingly expensive.

[Area 10]

Multiple moving parts and water don't mix well

[PonoBill]

For a sport that just involves paddling a floating thing across the water, it's surprisingly expensive.

Race cars for a while, or even just ski. This sport is free.

[scrooner]

For a sport that just involves paddling a floating thing across the water, it's surprisingly expensive.

If that's all you want to do, get a branch!  The bigger you are, the more leaves you need on the paddle to be effective.  It's free! 

Or use your hands like those crazy prone paddlers.

But if you want to go far or fast, a carbon paddle is designed for that, and will be far lighter and more enjoyable to paddle than anything you can get for $200.  There are good Blackfish and Black Project paddles under 1lb that can be found for less than $300.

[Area 10]

You are perhaps being a bit harsh on the OP guys. Even a very cheap paddle (which this was not) should not break like this.

 But I know what you mean. Experienced watersports people are used to the concept of "you get what you pay for" and that quality brands produce quality products. Adjustable paddles almost always break or seize in time, also. Moving parts in marine environments require maintenance.

Paddle failures of one-piece paddles from specialist paddle brands like Quickblade, KeNalu, ZRE, Blackfish, Kialoa etc (to name only a few) when those paddles have been looked after (rather than e.g left to rattle around in the back of a truck, or used to entertain the dog) are surprisingly rare.

[NMPaddler]

Sounds like I should finish the season using my backup paddle (a cheap, adjustable, Werner) or maybe spend the $25 to get a new handle and fix the Accent. Then in the off-season, see about getting a fix length paddle from one of brands that has been suggested.

Because it sounds like a fix length paddle would be the better long term solution than an adjustable. But right now I don't know what size one-piece paddle to get. I've been working on developing some kind of paddling technique this month and I've been adjusting the length of my paddle trying to find the sweet spot. This last week I've set my paddle pretty long (78") which is a bit longer than what QuickBlade or SupBoarder Mag suggest for touring or racing for my height (73 - 76"). Probably 78" only feels okay right now because to learn to put more weight on the paddle during the power phase I've been exaggerating that movement and causing the blade to sink pretty deep. Probably in a week or two, I'll move it back down towards 75". Don't know. So in the near term, I'm probably better off with an adjustable paddle until my stroke technique settles down and I can narrow in on the best length for me.