Kialoa Paddles

I just thought I'd share my thoughts on Kialoa paddles.

Dave Chun has been making paddles since 1991 and is one of the best in the business now and on StandUpPaddleSurfnet there are three short vids worth watching that are interviews with Dave.

Just click here...( www.standuppaddlesurf.net/category/gear-previews/paddles/ )

I've used most SUP paddles available today and IMO they are the best..but unfortunately they are also one of the most expensive.

There are three or four different models and the two that I recommend are the Nalu for big power and more flat water and down winders..It's 9 1/4" x 16 1/2" and 108 sq in in blade area.

BTW..I think the Nalu is named after Daves dog..

The other model is the most popular and new for 08..The Shaka Pu'u and it's a more surf model..It's 8 5/8" x 16 1/2" and 100 sq in in blade area.

BTW..I think the Shaka Pu'u is named after a famous Hawaiian lifesaver.

I bought my first Kialoa paddle (the Nalu) from SHQ here in Melbourne and love it so much that yesterday I went back and bought the Shaka Pu'u as well.

These two paddles..along with my adjustable Naish will be my paddle quiver....and I will sell off any old paddles that I have..Once you've used a Kialoa you tend to be spoiled and nothing else comes close..They are almost $500 Aussie and don't even come with a bag..But Kialoa do have a paddle bag available and they don't cost much..I like the way the Kialoa paddle bag lets you just slip it in from the big end and the handle end can be rolled to adjust to the length of your paddle.

On my last trip to Torquay I got to meet up with Matt who is without a doubt Vics best SUP'er and he was raving about his new Kialoa Shaka Pu'u paddle..and I saw that Strapper in Torquay also sells them.

The idea is that the slightly smaller blade size allows for a faster paddle stroke when paddling for a wave..The paddles are so light and have the best flex..BTW..the flex is close to what the Werner Spanker has..It's real springy..but the best thing about the Kialoa is the shaft shape..It's by far the thinest and very rectangle in shape near the center of the shaft..and tappers to round at each end..and about the diameter of your finger towards the top..I think this small diameter makes them feel lighter than they really are.

I also love the T grip..For me it's more comfee and offers much better blade control than the more ergo style of the C4 type T grip..One more thing that I liked about these Kialoa paddles is how long they are..Longer than any other paddle..at almost 90" long...even I had to cut some off..Most other brands are about 84-86" max..and a couple of inches too short for me..(I'm 6'4" tall and like a 87-88" paddle)

Another different thing about Kialoa's is their very flat blade face..I like it..It may flutter a small amount (like most others) the first time you try one if you push it very hard..but after using it for a while it will not flutter at all.

Here's some pics of my two Kialoa paddles and the Kialoa paddle bag.

DJ

Thanks DJ. The Shaka Pu would be the first paddle I tried if I ever thought about changing my Werner.

No..The Shaka Pu is the one without the tape (btw I've peeled the tape off the Nalu now).

The Shaka Pu'u is slightly smaller in blade area and lets you paddle faster when accelerating (catching waves etc) but still feels very powerful..It's the one that Blane Chambers and Gerry Lopez (and many other big names) use.

Yes..I have a few paddles now..I have my two new Kialoas, and my Naish carbon that I won in the race (it's a little short for me and my daughter and friends use it now).

I also have a couple of alloy paddles, a Naish alloy that I made adjustable ( I still use this if doing a paddle where there's others that might want to have a go and I can just adjust it down for them because I'm tall and like a long paddle) and an old home made alloy paddles that I will offer to friends for free if it helps them to get into SUP or until they can buy themselves a good paddle.

The Naish alloy is the heaviest paddle that I have ever used..and the weight is in the blade which is odd and really adds to the swing weight.

I still think that a cheap alloy paddle is fine for learning with but if you want to improve and start doing longer sessions a good paddle is a must.

DJ

Here's a link to the race (it's back about 14 pages).. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35128

Jake..I think if you'd been here you might have one it for sure..

Now when I look back I was crazy using my new 10'6" and old home made paddle and Croc's didn't help..

Jeeez we've come along way in the last year haven't we.. ..and I'm looking forward to our next race now..

DJ