Tim's paddle view
My SUPping is 99% surf orientated.
I would like to share with you a brief summary of my own personal paddle journey, experiences and observations.
In the early days there where not many different paddles available, my first paddle was an alloy shaft with composite plastic blade. This paddle was cheap, strong and you could not "kill"it, so to me, that is a perfect paddle for the learner.
As my skill increased and more paddles became available, i next had a full fiberglass paddle. Wow, it was so light compared to the alloy one. The lightness was a revelation, you where not fighting the paddle weight and consequently did not tire so quickly. The clean faces of the blade made it draw through and exit the water cleaner, again conserving energy. The flex in the fiberglass shaft felt smooth when loading the paddle. This paddle had a 9" wide blade and was cut to about 6-8" over my height.
Over the next year or so, i was paddling lots, surfing my sup most days and having some very long sessions. It was taking a toll on my body, in particular my shoulders and back. I WAS GETTING PAIN FROM PADDLING ! Maybe it was bad technique, possibly it was building on other pains.
One day, i forgot my paddle and had to borrow one of a friend (it was the same paddle but short, about head high). Amazing !!, the shorter paddle seemed to paddle faster,i could do quicker strokes so the board accelerated faster, and seemed to catch waves easier. I was setting the depth of the paddle by bending my knees, which in turn put me in a better surfing stance than setting the longer paddle too deep and consequently fighting to release it to the next stroke.
The best bit about the shorter paddle, was.......... no back pain !!
Shortening the paddle had taken a lot of stress away from my torso. That evening i cut my paddle down to head high and never looked back (well i actually could now that i had no pain). I have never had another niggle since. I was lending my "short" paddle to my friends, who very quickly decided that short was the way to go and all cut their paddles down. This got me thinking and experimenting. I now took the old alloy/ composite paddle.With a jig saw and marker guage, i cut that 9" wide paddle down to a 7" and also reduced the length of the blade quite dramatically.
Wow!! again. The paddle pulled through the water so much faster, so accelerated the board faster into easier wave catching and just about better in every way. When you start getting tired when paddling, you lose your ability to pull the paddle cleanly through the water, resulting in "leafing", and banging the rails through the stroke. This is completely non effective paddling.
Conclusion
For surfing, smaller paddles with narrower blades are much healthier and easier than longer with wider blades.
I now have in my opinion, the best paddle that i have ever used. It is one of our carbon pro surf paddles. It has an oval shaft for strength, cut to head high. It has a small blade and is super light. This paddle powers into waves and is so easy to plant and pivot your turns. Best of all, no back issues.
Of course you may well have different needs, or you may find some inspiration in this chapter. Its just how i have progressed to my current equipment. But the most important thing is to enjoy your paddling.........Tim
I would like to share with you a brief summary of my own personal paddle journey, experiences and observations.
In the early days there where not many different paddles available, my first paddle was an alloy shaft with composite plastic blade. This paddle was cheap, strong and you could not "kill"it, so to me, that is a perfect paddle for the learner.
As my skill increased and more paddles became available, i next had a full fiberglass paddle. Wow, it was so light compared to the alloy one. The lightness was a revelation, you where not fighting the paddle weight and consequently did not tire so quickly. The clean faces of the blade made it draw through and exit the water cleaner, again conserving energy. The flex in the fiberglass shaft felt smooth when loading the paddle. This paddle had a 9" wide blade and was cut to about 6-8" over my height.
Over the next year or so, i was paddling lots, surfing my sup most days and having some very long sessions. It was taking a toll on my body, in particular my shoulders and back. I WAS GETTING PAIN FROM PADDLING ! Maybe it was bad technique, possibly it was building on other pains.
One day, i forgot my paddle and had to borrow one of a friend (it was the same paddle but short, about head high). Amazing !!, the shorter paddle seemed to paddle faster,i could do quicker strokes so the board accelerated faster, and seemed to catch waves easier. I was setting the depth of the paddle by bending my knees, which in turn put me in a better surfing stance than setting the longer paddle too deep and consequently fighting to release it to the next stroke.
The best bit about the shorter paddle, was.......... no back pain !!
Shortening the paddle had taken a lot of stress away from my torso. That evening i cut my paddle down to head high and never looked back (well i actually could now that i had no pain). I have never had another niggle since. I was lending my "short" paddle to my friends, who very quickly decided that short was the way to go and all cut their paddles down. This got me thinking and experimenting. I now took the old alloy/ composite paddle.With a jig saw and marker guage, i cut that 9" wide paddle down to a 7" and also reduced the length of the blade quite dramatically.
Wow!! again. The paddle pulled through the water so much faster, so accelerated the board faster into easier wave catching and just about better in every way. When you start getting tired when paddling, you lose your ability to pull the paddle cleanly through the water, resulting in "leafing", and banging the rails through the stroke. This is completely non effective paddling.
Conclusion
For surfing, smaller paddles with narrower blades are much healthier and easier than longer with wider blades.
I now have in my opinion, the best paddle that i have ever used. It is one of our carbon pro surf paddles. It has an oval shaft for strength, cut to head high. It has a small blade and is super light. This paddle powers into waves and is so easy to plant and pivot your turns. Best of all, no back issues.
Of course you may well have different needs, or you may find some inspiration in this chapter. Its just how i have progressed to my current equipment. But the most important thing is to enjoy your paddling.........Tim