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Hi,

My 9 years old QB Kanaha snapped in the blade yesterday.

The QB Kanaha is a very reliable paddle. I surely go for a new QB.

Anyone tried the new UV88? Have you also tried the V drive?

Opinions appreciated :)

I haven't tried the UV88, but I'd be seriously tempted to buy it if I was buying a paddle now. The only thing that would stop me is that I prefer a smaller blade than 88 these days. I have a 71 v-drive and it never slips.

in fact, I have each of the v-drive blades (101, 91, 81,71) and I also have every size in the all-carbon Trifectas. My favourite is the 71 vdrive.

However YMMV. If they made a UV71 or even a UV61, I would buy it immediately.

I have lots of other brands' paddies. But I keep coming back to QB. They aren't the lightest or best value, but they are quality all-round.

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Area10 said..
I haven't tried the UV88, but I'd be seriously tempted to buy it if I was buying a paddle now. The only thing that would stop me is that I prefer a smaller blade than 88 these days. I have a 71 v-drive and it never slips.

in fact, I have each of the v-drive blades (101, 91, 81,71) and I also have every size in the all-carbon Trifectas. My favourite is the 71 vdrive.

However YMMV. If they made a UV71 or even a UV61, I would buy it immediately.

I have lots of other brands' paddies. But I keep coming back to QB. They aren't the lightest or best value, but they are quality all-round.

Hi Area10,

Thank you for the prompt feedback!
Usually I use a Kanaha 83 and I prefer it for the surf than the snapped 91. The 91 I usually used for bigger boards, to have all that volume starting...
I'm 185 lbs 6'1. Don't you think 71 is too small for me?
What I appreciate the most about QB is the reliability. However, as far as I understood, they took out some weight from the UV88, which means less material, and as consequence less resiliance.

Made my mind and went with the QB UV88.
Light, balanced, nice shaft shape and traction.
Deep groove blade.
I'm used to teardrop blades, this has different power output.
Definitely has an output equivalent to a larger one.
For my longboard sups it's great. For smaller boards I'd prefer a smaller one. Hope they make it.

In short: a great paddle.

Sunova balsa/bamboo are very strong

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1fox said..
Made my mind and went with the QB UV88.
Light, balanced, nice shaft shape and traction.
Deep groove blade.
I'm used to teardrop blades, this has different power output.
Definitely has an output equivalent to a larger one.
For my longboard sups it's great. For smaller boards I'd prefer a smaller one. Hope they make it.

In short: a great paddle.

I was gonna say QB, it does cost but thier soo good and that new UV blade will be my next paddle for sure.

Pretty paddle...if you have trouble gripping the small diameter shaft , try rubbing same with ordinary surfboard wax. If you want a STRONG paddle at the same weight, try a kelvar/carbon one.

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1fox said..
Made my mind and went with the QB UV88.
Light, balanced, nice shaft shape and traction.
Deep groove blade.
I'm used to teardrop blades, this has different power output.
Definitely has an output equivalent to a larger one.
For my longboard sups it's great. For smaller boards I'd prefer a smaller one. Hope they make it.

In short: a great paddle.

I'm sure they are doing a 82 model

82 is already here for some.

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JEG said..
82 is already here for some.

yes... just 2 weeks later...
I'm 81kg. I'd recommend 82 for surf. 88 is not high cadence for me. is nevertheless a great piece of equipment.
(I was still in Kanaha and of course there's a big leap).

simultaneously Gong start selling again their carbon pro which have a killer price. Sooner I'll go for a Gong or an 82.

I am thinking about upgrading to the UV82 from my Vdrive 81. Is there much of a difference? Its a big investment if theres not much difference

Just got a new QuickBlade UV88 whilst on Maui & worth every cent....Love it for foiling or downwinding...Highly recommend it...

some weeks later I have accumulated enough sessions to have a better opinion.
I've been using the uv88 and the old kanaha and now feels a bit night and day.
the uv88 is nimble but quite powerful. the texture and size of the shaft are both great and even the handle is quite ergonomic. last bot not least, light.

It was hard for me to spend so much but now I'm completely sold to it :)

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1fox said..
some weeks later I have accumulated enough sessions to have a better opinion.
I've been using the uv88 and the old kanaha and now feels a bit night and day.
the uv88 is nimble but quite powerful. the texture and size of the shaft are both great and even the handle is quite ergonomic. last bot not least, light.

It was hard for me to spend so much but now I'm completely sold to it :)

Hi
How is the UV88 going for surfing?

Would you go for the 82 if buying again?

Karl

Hi Karl,

I think I'd keep the 88.
For someone in general, it depends on the weight, size of the board and cadence vs power preference. For my current 80Kgs and typically surfing longboards, the paddle is great. If I was surfing mainly under 8'0, I'd find it too powerfull.
I'd say that the 88 is suited for someone >=75kg.
Purely for surfing I think I'd go for the 82...but the 88 is a also a winner.

I got a new stick last week still haven't used it anyone got any comments about them

I have the 82 black project surge for surf sup, love this paddle, very fast return due to light weight blade and great hold on the catch. Good quality although I did snap the shaft when it got between the board and the whitewater in a wipeout but don't fault the paddle for that. Sometimes its better to let go...

I have the 82 BP Surge. The handle isn't very comfortable and its pretty average in most other ways IMO. Very expensive for what it is, I think. I tried the other BP paddle (Hydro?) and felt it was better. Sometimes I wonder how much the BP guys actually use their own products. The QB paddles are far better IMO.

Btw a surprise great race paddle turns out to be the RRD race pro. Nothing special for surf but great value for racing. The Gong Pro paddles are incredible value and are crazily good for downwind, for reasons I don't fully understand. OK for other things.

But if I was only allowed one paddle for everything (and all disciplines) I'd go with a QB vdrive. Maybe a UV but I prefer sub-80 blades.

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Area10 said..
I have the 82 BP Surge. The handle isn't very comfortable and its pretty average in most other ways IMO. Very expensive for what it is, I think. I tried the other BP paddle (Hydro?) and felt it was better. Sometimes I wonder how much the BP guys actually use their own products. The QB paddles are far better IMO.

Btw a surprise great race paddle turns out to be the RRD race pro. Nothing special for surf but great value for racing. The Gong Pro paddles are incredible value and are crazily good for downwind, for reasons I don't fully understand. OK for other things.

But if I was only allowed one paddle for everything (and all disciplines) I'd go with a QB vdrive. Maybe a UV but I prefer sub-80 blades.

Not a fan of the Black Project my self. Tried their recent offerings and even-though I'm a paddle hoarder, I wasn't tempted to buy one.

The QB UV 82 on the other hand is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for certain application. I wasn't a big fan of the V-Drive and I was skeptical this one will be substantially different but it is. Give you all the Power of the V-Drive minus the shoulder wrecking affect of it.

I deliberately went with the Hex Flex construction rather than the All carbon since this blade has some "give" in it. I matched it with a custom shaft that has my desired flex in it and the result is impressive. Feels better than all my other paddles in the 82 range in power to comfort ratio.

I'm sure by now most know that QB as a 77 version of the UV so that is a most welcome addition.

Word of caution though about the Hex flex construction - It is heavy. double the weight of my 4.5oz ZRE blade or just over 9oz. (my second heaviest blade after the Blue Planet KayZen at 10.1 oz!!!)I made sure to match it with an equivalent shaft/handle weight so not throw-off the swing balance as with a light shaft the combo feels odd and imbalanced. But at 18oz overall, it is solid and not too heavy.

Maaannnnnn I'm loving the black project surge I paddle for 2/3 hours no shoulder pain it is a small blade Been using a medium sb paddle for a while and it hurt the next day No pain now just had to up the cadence shorter quicker strokes love it

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1fox said..

Area10 said..
I haven't tried the UV88, but I'd be seriously tempted to buy it if I was buying a paddle now. The only thing that would stop me is that I prefer a smaller blade than 88 these days. I have a 71 v-drive and it never slips.

in fact, I have each of the v-drive blades (101, 91, 81,71) and I also have every size in the all-carbon Trifectas. My favourite is the 71 vdrive.

However YMMV. If they made a UV71 or even a UV61, I would buy it immediately.

I have lots of other brands' paddies. But I keep coming back to QB. They aren't the lightest or best value, but they are quality all-round.

Hi Area10,

Thank you for the prompt feedback!
Usually I use a Kanaha 83 and I prefer it for the surf than the snapped 91. The 91 I usually used for bigger boards, to have all that volume starting...
I'm 185 lbs 6'1. Don't you think 71 is too small for me?
What I appreciate the most about QB is the reliability. However, as far as I understood, they took out some weight from the UV88, which means less material, and as consequence less resiliance.

I have been looking at a UV 82. I dont know form experience but the new paddles are lighter because of new materials. Different core and vacuum infusion, I think? Doesn't necessarily mean they are less resilient/strong/durable.

For race paddling do I use the waterdrop von Orange blade, for sup surfing the blue planet AC featherlite, and for travel do I use the Fanatic Carbon 80. All great carbon paddles but I love the blue planet, I also hear great experiences about the Gong carbon paddle, so that one to keep an eye on for a replacement of the blue planet down the road.

In the end in a lot of countries do make their very own and good paddles so it's maybe smart thing to do as well to just support your local paddle maker. Then I would need to buy a Supr paddle as they are made in the Netherlands. In the end, it's also what you prefer, flex, diameter shaft, length of the shaft, which grip, blade size and form, etc..