Who uses blade guard - does it affect paddle performance much?

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Slab said...

Who uses blade guard - does it affect paddle performance much?

Hardly anyone.

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Slab said...

does it affect paddle performance much?

Yes. see above.


A strip or two of decent quality electrical tape works fine.

(edit: here's a recent thread where these things were discussed, scroll down for DJ's method for applying electrical tape.)

yup - been using tape but seem to wear through it quick! Too much banging the rails surfing!

Just noticed this post by me was 4 years ago now and nothing's changed.

Here.. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/How-I-tape-my-paddles/

Yesterday I was lucky to meet two beautiful ladies paddling their brand new 10'6" Naish boards and the shop had fitted paddle guards for them.. One had fallen off and was lost already (after 10 minutes).. When I looked at the other it just pealed off effortlessly and would have been gone in minutes for sure.. What a waste.. If you are going to use it you need to stick it on real good but it's not needed and effects the way the paddles works.. Splashing going in and lifting water coming out.. These thin blades should be able to slip in and out without making a splash.. Even pulling through the water they have a negative effect.. It only took me a few minutes and I taped both of their paddles for them using electrical tape.

I think they (paddle guards) are only any good for demo boards and rentals /schools etc.

DJ

Although I admit to not having been out a lot lately, the tape I put on has been on for a few months now, so will continue to keep taping every few months - cheap & it saves the rails (it's actually cleaned the old black marks off the rails too!)

I have thin rubber blade guard and would not know it was there. It saves the board
and maybe yourself. Glue it on and enjoy

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DavidJohn said...
Just noticed this post by me was 4 years ago now and nothing's changed.

Here.. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/How-I-tape-my-paddles/

Yesterday I was lucky to meet two beautiful ladies paddling their brand new 10'6" Naish boards and the shop had fitted paddle guards for them.. One had fallen off and was lost already (after 10 minutes).. When I looked at the other it just pealed off effortlessly and would have been gone in minutes for sure.. What a waste.. If you are going to use it you need to stick it on real good but it's not needed and effects the way the paddles works.. Splashing going in and lifting water coming out.. These thin blades should be able to slip in and out without making a splash.. Even pulling through the water they have a negative effect.. It only took me a few minutes and I taped both of their paddles for them using electrical tape.

I think they (paddle guards) are only any good for demo boards and rentals /schools etc.

DJ

always good to help two beautiful ladies lol

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Slab said...
yup - been using tape but seem to wear through it quick! Too much banging the rails surfing!

Tape is the go,I was told that when I first started and I agree totally.But you've really got to stretch it on.I have 2 layers on mine that have been great for 3 years give or take a day or two.Actually I'm going to replace it with one layer soon because these days although I still wack my board from time to time it's usually from not paying attention rather than paddling for waves.If your wacking your board a lot it's possible that your tecnique is not quite right,I found Dave Kalama's web site invaluble in this regard,his tutorials are fantastic.Also a bit of flat water paddling is always a good thing.

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Slab said...

Who uses blade guard - does it affect paddle performance much?

When I put a rubber strip on my blade the only difference I noticed was that my rails didn't get little chops in them. Go for it.