With all the threads on DW board design, no one seems to talk about paddles

So here we go... what would be a good paddle to get going for a DW with just a few strokes for the ones who are older ?

The quickblades look nice but they are ridiculously expensive .

The QB ono Ava is awesome. I don't personally have one but I used Jeremy's when I was I. Maui. Definitely made a difference. Here I use the blackfish range.

Kialoa Hulu Sm.. (if you can get one).. Naish, Fanatic and Starboard (along with other brands) make great paddles now.. You can't go wrong with QuickBlade..

I prefer a smaller blade for a fast cadence and a stiffer shaft so you don't loose power as you accelerate to catch a runner.. and cut to just below your watch band on your wrist with your arm straight up..

Paddles are a personal thing with no right or wrong answers but if you can try before you buy..

I use a smaller blade for regular sup usually around 82-84 sq in but for foiling dw I have just ordered a KeNalu Molokai that is 105 sq inch.
I tried one years ago on a normal sup and although it was great it was too hard on the shoulders in long endurance races, so I sold it.
I think for foiling where you (ideally) only do a handful of strokes to get up it should be ok; I'll find out soon.

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tightlines said..
I use a smaller blade for regular sup usually around 82-84 sq in but for foiling dw I have just ordered a KeNalu Molokai that is 105 sq inch.
I tried one years ago on a normal sup and although it was great it was too hard on the shoulders in long endurance races, so I sold it.
I think for foiling where you (ideally) only do a handful of strokes to get up it should be ok; I'll find out soon.

Super interesting. Please let us know how it goes and share some pics

After snapping multiple paddles, I bought a QB in 2008. I still have it along with 2 more QB's. They are excellent paddles.

I would love a Quickblade Ona Ava, I'm sure they would be great for foil paddle ups but I'm not prepared to pay the money they want for one.

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tightlines said..
I would love a Quickblade Ona Ava, I'm sure they would be great for foil paddle ups but I'm not prepared to pay the money they want for one.

The question should be why is the outrigger $485 and the SUP one $960??

www.paddleshop.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-115/

www.surffx.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-sup-paddle

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hilly said..

tightlines said..
I would love a Quickblade Ona Ava, I'm sure they would be great for foil paddle ups but I'm not prepared to pay the money they want for one.

The question should be why is the outrigger $485 and the SUP one $960??

www.paddleshop.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-115/

www.surffx.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-sup-paddle

Haha $960, QB are great paddles but thats taking the piss a little!! You can buy 2 of our ONE paddles www.oneoceansportsaustralia.com/paddle-shop/carbon-paddle-elite for the same price and have enough left over for a carton of beer.

On the topic of paddles for DW foiling the paddle in the link above is what i use and its great, heaps of power for its size and super light. Seems to get me up every time I try so cant be to bad.

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paul.j said..Seems to get me up every time I try

It must be good

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hilly said..

tightlines said..
I would love a Quickblade Ona Ava, I'm sure they would be great for foil paddle ups but I'm not prepared to pay the money they want for one.

The question should be why is the outrigger $485 and the SUP one $960??

www.paddleshop.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-115/

www.surffx.com.au/products/quickblade-ono-ava-sup-paddle

The $485 is with the wood shaft You can get the SUP one with wood around the same price on that website.

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Alysum said..The $485 is with the wood shaft You can get the SUP one with wood around the same price on that website.

Better eyes than me I only saw up to 50" paddle handle length. Too short for SUP.

Some other paddles I am keen to hear about for DW:

VMG Orca 82: vmgblades.com/product/orca/
SIC Maliko 90: sicmaui.com/us_sic_en/stand-up-paddle/paddle-by-model/maliko-90-105427

Paddle width is key for foiling. More width means more of your energy is converted to thrust, especially at the high angles of attack in a sprint.
Look for blades around, ideally at least 20cm wide.
blades that aren't mentioned here that could be great are the "QB Stinger" and "Braca UNI SuperFat"

I like the shape of that ONE paddle, what are the dimensions?

Besides the QB - there doesn't seem to be any paddle at least 20cm wide in AU

The new Starboard Lima XXL could be a good option for DW foilers. Surf FX has in stock I think.high end construction & pricing at $699AUD.

I've got two QB paddles that I picked up secondhand for bargain prices. I have UV91 and Trifecta 86. They are smaller blades but paddle me up fine. Best paddles I've used to date in 12+ years paddling.

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FoilAddict said..
Paddle width is key for foiling. More width means more of your energy is converted to thrust, especially at the high angles of attack in a sprint.

Interesting, might try my old QBs then.

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Alysum said..
With all the threads on DW board design, no one seems to talk about paddles

So here we go... what would be a good paddle to get going for a DW with just a few strokes for the ones who are older ?

The quickblades look nice but they are ridiculously expensive .

I broke a few paddles in the last two years; all in the middle of the shaft.
-Redwoodpaddle. In 1 month.
- QB V-drive 101. In 2 months.
- Starboard Lima XL, top of the line. in 1 month. I would say that was the weakest of all.
No warranty response in any of the cases.
If I order a new one, I would go for an adjustable shaft or just an easy exchangeable blade.

What about the surfboard warehouse carbon paddles?8.2" (20cm) paddle blade - Atlantis Elixir Carbon Fixed Paddle $199 AUD

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ANfoiler said..
What about the surfboard warehouse carbon paddles?8.2" (20cm) paddle blade - Atlantis Elixir Carbon Fixed Paddle $199 AUD

I grabbed one for $100 on a sale. My only complaint would be tiny bit too much flex in the shaft. It gets me up on foil though.

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Gustenzo said..

ANfoiler said..
What about the surfboard warehouse carbon paddles?8.2" (20cm) paddle blade - Atlantis Elixir Carbon Fixed Paddle $199 AUD

I grabbed one for $100 on a sale. My only complaint would be tiny bit too much flex in the shaft. It gets me up on foil though.

That's so cheap!

Any way to stiffen the shaft or not worth it - buy a better quality one?

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ANfoiler said..

Gustenzo said..

ANfoiler said..
What about the surfboard warehouse carbon paddles?8.2" (20cm) paddle blade - Atlantis Elixir Carbon Fixed Paddle $199 AUD

I grabbed one for $100 on a sale. My only complaint would be tiny bit too much flex in the shaft. It gets me up on foil though.

That's so cheap!

Any way to stiffen the shaft or not worth it - buy a better quality one?

Try rubbing it

Just wondering if anyone has used any Naish paddles previously? mine is a few years old or more and it is carbon & kevlar with an ergo T handle & small diameter shaft & it is really strong but a bit flexable (oh and I like to rub it occasionally?:-)

Ke Nalu with a Wiki blade is more of a Hawaiian style surf blade not a race paddle blade.
race blade designed for high cadence
surf blade designed to pull more water and get you going sooner