Anyone using Quickblade Kanaha or other adjustable carbon paddles?

[pdxmike]

I'm planning to get a new carbon paddle.  I paddle in the Willamette River and Puget Sound--no surfing.  I'm 6'-1" and feel that I could benefit from a paddle longer than my current 82.5" one.  I've tried 84" ones and liked them, but might be happier going even longer. 

From reading a million posts and PonoBill's excellent Kenalu article on paddle length  http://www.kenalu.com/2010/04/measure-twice-cut-once/  it seems clear that 1) choosing the correct length is a process, not a fill-in-the-numbers formula, 2) what will work for me now may become too short as my technique improves or changes, 3) if I get a thicker board, I'll then need a longer paddle, and 4) people are now recommending longer paddles than even a year or two ago, so who knows where the advice will be next year?

An obvious solution seems to be to get an adjustable carbon paddle.  One that appeals to me is the Quickblade Kanaha--it sounds like a great paddle in general, and it adjusts from  80" to 88", which could be ideal for me. 

Have other people gone the adjustable route, with this paddle or others?  Do you feel the adjustability creates compromises (weight or otherwise) that outweigh the adjustability?  Am I better off getting a fixed length, and if so why?

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
 

[Dwight (DW)]

I used the QB adjustable demo paddle from the local shop to help me decide what length to cut my QB Elite.

It really helped me.

I was very impressed with how light the QB adjustable was. I could definitely use it as an everyday paddle. It could have saved me a lot of money during my newbie first year of SUP when I changed my paddle length about every 4 months.

[Brett]

I had the same issue.  I'm 6'1".  I have both the adjustable and regular kanaha.  Both are great.  There is only a small noticable difference in the weight and balance of the adjustable.  Nothing to worry about.  If you order directly from QB, I recommend calling and discussing the various color, blade and grip options.
Their customer service is excellent.

[joeag]

I have 2 QB Kanaha's as well - one adjustable (and 3 piece) and one regular.  The adjustable works great. You might want to make the adjustable a travel paddle (2 or 3 piece) as well - there is very little added weight or flex and then when you get a second paddle, the adjustable is great not only for letting friends paddle, but also for travel.

[Easy Rider]

I have a Carbon adjustable in our demo fleet.
It is a great paddle and has held up very well for the amount of use (abuse) it has seen.

[pdxmike]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice.  I just placed my order with my local (next door) surf shop--Kanaha adjustable, 100 cm, with the EVA-wrapped grip.  Can't wait to get it. 

[pdxmike]

Have used my new paddle several times--I stopped by the shop to see if my order had gone through, and the box had already arrived.  The adjustability gives great freedom and flexibility.  I can paddle for awhile at one length, and in a few seconds change it to another.  No second guessing about whether I got the right length or not.  No worrying that I might need a new length if I get a different board or as my technique evolves.  Plus I have the benefits of having a paddle that works for sharing or travel. 

Also, even after several times using the paddle at different lengths, I couldn't say yet which length is my favorite to set it at.  If I had bought a fixed length, then started long and cut it down until I got to the correct size, I probably would have concluded that the best length for me was the length it was just before I cut it down too far.  Being able to go back and forth between shorter and longer is a real luxury.

Finally, it's great to be able to change lengths during a paddle just for the variety--I can experiment with how the length affects my stroke, and I think it can also reduce fatigue.  I've also found it's nice to have it slightly longer in flat water, and shorter for chop or going into the wind. 

As people had advised, the adjustability--at least with the Quickblade, and probably with other good brands--comes at a small price in terms of weight and feel (and cost).  I went the adjustable route mainly because I didn't feel ready to commit to a fixed length, but now I'm starting to appreciate the adjustability for these other reasons. 

Now I just need an adjustable board, and I'll be set. 

[gafas]

Now I just need an adjustable board, and I'll be set. 

Check the split boards from Imagine.

[pdxmike]

Now I just need an adjustable board, and I'll be set. 

Check the split boards from Imagine.

Wow!  Thanks for the info.  I hadn't heard of these.  Just saw the website, and also searched past threads about them.  It sounds like they do well what they're designed to do.

I wonder if the designer of the split board came up with the idea while sketching at his dining room table the day after Thanksgiving?  It's basically a dining-room-table-with-a-leaf concept turned into something you can surf.