race paddle and what length and blade size

[paddlesurfer75]

im just getting into racing i have a starboard free race im looking to get a race paddle its out of the shaku puu zre power surge werner fuse or quick blade elite racer.i currently use the c4 waterman xpr blade but cant get on with it.and what sort of height should the shaft be over head height and what sort of blade width im 6"2 approx 200lbs and my board is 7"thick.
regards Dean

[Fireguykirk]

what did you end up getting?  i am having a toss up right now between the fuse and the nitro. 

[jdmotes]

 I'm not much of a racer. However, being a rep, I do a lot of demo's with the Nah Skwell NSRace 12'6 and have a 82" fixed carbon with a 9 inch blade that I like for speed... If I'm simply out playing on it, I use my Whiskeyjack Ocho Wood because of it's comfort level...       Later,   JD

[river]

Paddlesurfer75

Get the Fuse 84in in either bent or straight.  That's my suggestion.  Bent will be a little heavier but faster over a distance.

[JimK]

Dean,

It seems like you are looking for a stiffer paddle as the C4 XPR is not that stiff (more "springy") at least for us bigger guys. I would HIGHLY recomend the Kialoa Shaka Puu from the bunch you are looking at.

But I must say my "Secret Weapon" is the PowerEx Braided Carbon paddle. It has a huge blade attached to a strong stiff shaft and it is really light. If you can find one where you are GO FOR IT (I'd recommend 85" minimum) If you can't find one let me know I know where there is a stash of them (not many)

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[skyfish]

Werner fuse! 84" bent shaft. great ergonomics, esay entry /exit of blade, and most of all best quality in the industry.

[stoneaxe]

Only problem with the Werner single piece, at least for tall guys, is length of the shaft for racing. A max shaft length of 85" doesn't work for me. I'm getting a fuse in the two-piece adjustable 86" to 90.5" adjustable in 1.5" increments. At 90.5 it's my race/distance paddle at 86" its a backup to my spanker for surf.

[viatormundi]

Only problem with the Werner single piece, at least for tall guys, is length of the shaft for racing. A max shaft length of 85" doesn't work for me. I'm getting a fuse in the two-piece adjustable 86" to 90.5" adjustable in 1.5" increments. At 90.5 it's my race/distance paddle at 86" its a backup to my spanker for surf.

Is this adjustable shaft as good as the normal shaft? Any downsides in terms of stiffness etc?

[Aiyah]

Most people will tell you go with some of the thinner blade styles but really...to be honest i'm a great fan of the Quickblade Kanaha. Then again, i've never actually raced yet (yet, being the key word) but just from going to the lake and playing with some, i like the midsized blades.