Would like to know what you all think regarding blade size & shaft length.

I have been using a Slim Jim for about 10-12 months now & my shoulders are starting to play up. I'm thinking my shaft is a bit too long &/or my blade surface area size could be too big.

I'm going to invest in a new paddle & was thinking the Kanaha 90, but the Flyweight was recomended to me today. I thought that being 6'2" 100kg I'd be too heavy for it?? Concerned about snapping the shaft while leaning on it during a big bottom turn.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

The Slim Jim is a big paddle but there are a lot of factors that come in to shoulder issues not the least being technique. How tall is your paddle?

Personally at your size I wouldn't go the flyweight. It's a beautifully soft and light paddle but for a guy your size you'll fold it in half and void the warranty doing it. It's also limited to 78" height max.

If you want a smaller blade but a stiffer shaft to suit your size you could have a look at the Starboard Enduro Carbon 430 or 475. The 475 is very close to the same blade area as the flyweight.

I've got all these paddles in my quiver and my favourite is still the Enduro 430. Sweet paddle.

Sam.

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WINDSURFnSNOW said...

The Slim Jim is a big paddle but there are a lot of factors that come in to shoulder issues not the least being technique. How tall is your paddle?

Personally at your size I wouldn't go the flyweight. It's a beautifully soft and light paddle but for a guy your size you'll fold it in half and void the warranty doing it. It's also limited to 78" height max.

If you want a smaller blade but a stiffer shaft to suit your size you could have a look at the Starboard Enduro Carbon 430 or 475. The 475 is very close to the same blade area as the flyweight.

I've got all these paddles in my quiver and my favourite is still the Enduro 430. Sweet paddle.

Sam.

Thanx Sam

I was thinking the same thing but Mark Mitchell said he is using one & he loves it. He is 98kg.

Do you think the 90 would be ok for me?

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Zeusman said...

WINDSURFnSNOW said...

The Slim Jim is a big paddle but there are a lot of factors that come in to shoulder issues not the least being technique. How tall is your paddle?

Personally at your size I wouldn't go the flyweight. It's a beautifully soft and light paddle but for a guy your size you'll fold it in half and void the warranty doing it. It's also limited to 78" height max.

If you want a smaller blade but a stiffer shaft to suit your size you could have a look at the Starboard Enduro Carbon 430 or 475. The 475 is very close to the same blade area as the flyweight.

I've got all these paddles in my quiver and my favourite is still the Enduro 430. Sweet paddle.

Sam.

Thanx Sam

I was thinking the same thing but Mark Mitchell said he is using one & he loves it. He is 98kg.

Do you think the 90 would be ok for me?

My paddle is 8 inches over my head.

90 Kanaha would be a good-un for sure for you but maybe try shorter.

At your weight if you're mainly surfing on boards like the Hokua 9'10" or 9'5" you going to be sitting lowish in the water so you could easily go shorter. 4-6" is pretty normal for surfing these days with more and more having paddles at head height.

Sam.

They say great minds think alike & once again I tend to agree with you.

I bought the Slim Jim when I was riding a 11'6" Nalu. It was quite comfortable back then. Now I'm riding shorter & thinner boards & as you said "sitting lower in the water" & the shoulder pains have started creeping in.

In no way am I an elite paddler but I don't think there is anything really wrong with my technique. I figured that shaft length & blade size was the main cause. Just wanted reassurance from professional people like yourself that I wasn't going mad.

Thanx again mate

I'm just a newbie to catching waves on a sup but since I'm using a Naish adjustable paddle I'm perplexed as to why people don't simply go and borrow an adjustable paddle from your local shop?
Then take it out and find out what length works.
I also have the same paddle in an 8" and 9" blade.

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Cuttlefish said...

I'm just a newbie to catching waves on a sup but since I'm using a Naish adjustable paddle I'm perplexed as to why people don't simply go and borrow an adjustable paddle from your local shop?
Then take it out and find out what length works.
I also have the same paddle in an 8" and 9" blade.

I think its more a case of the general consensus of what works has changed. As paddle length & blade size is relative to what size board you are riding & what you are riding it for is changing as the sport grows.

SUP is still a fairly new sport & new discoveries are being made every day. The shoulder injuries that myself & many other people that I have found on forums are starting to suffer are a tendonitis or RSI type injury that take months to surface. So what may feel comfortable for a few weeks or months, may actually be doing you harm, but won't be noticed untill much further down the track.

Although length can be the issue, the flex also comes in to play with shoulders. I have 2 paddles, a Kialoa Shaka Puu - which has a stiff shaft & although is a great paddle, I feel it in my back & shoulder muscles after a couple of good surfs. My QB adjustable is very flexible and although it has a bigger blade, I can paddle all-day with the length set the same as my other paddle in surf or on flatwater without soreness.

Hi Zeusman,
Seems to be a lot of old bodies partaking of this new activity as well.
Especially older surfers whose shoulders are pretty much shot anyway that don't react well to using the muscles in a different range of motion.
Poor technique is probably a big contributor as well.
What's the answer if the problems surface months later when it feels good at first?

Dichlofenac is the answer,its the active ingredient in voltaren,stops pain and reduces inflamation.I get it by pescription for my arthritus but it works right throughout your body-knees,back,shoulders,wrists etc use spareingly and bobs your uncle.As for paddles in the surf I have mine at about head hight so when i paddle and kickturn I dont have to raise my arms above my shoulders.I think this helps with balance and is also better for using as an accesory once on the wave.Another thing I might add too is that when paddling for a wave I bend my knees a fair bit so head high becomes several inches overhead anyway.

top tip that worked for me: get a wooden paddle.
they are less stiff and have a bit of give and a slower response as carbon that takes out the bite when you putting too much pressure.
especially in choppy conditions I can paddle a lot longer with a woorden paddle as with my Shaka.
Both have the same length and bladesize and I paddle rather short paddles

Zeusman, If your after a "surf " paddle then this is what I use and my reasons for using this paddle.

I am 58 years old, 95kg, 5'8"(173cm) fit and an expert short (8'6 x 117ltr) SUP surfer.
I use a paddle length of +12 cm, 185cm length, stiff shaft and a 75 sq inch blade.

The question you have to ask your self is... How do you catch a wave?

The answer is... You have to be in the right spot to catch a wave.

Simple isn't it. Most prone surfers knows this.

So it does not matter how large you paddle blade is, if you are not in the right spot, you won't catch that wave.

Small blades are easier to use in the surf. They are easier to swap sides, don't get caught by whitewater as much and have less influence on your wave riding.

The 185cm paddle length I use is for my chronic bad back, an old surfing accident. It allows an upright paddling stance when cruising back out.

I have tried longer lengths, the problem I find there is that you tend to grip under the handle at times for control.

Shorter lengths mean that you bent over all the time when paddling and you have a shorter reach for placing the paddle onto the wave face for your bottom turns and cut backs, this leads to less power in small to medium surf conditions.

I do like a shorter paddle when the is more power in the surf on larger days, but only by 2cm, down to 183cm length.

A stiff shaft delivers more power than a flexible shaft, you are never waiting for the response of the flex, the blade is with you instantly.

Recovery from goofed turns is easier and quicker as the shaft does not bend as much.

Just touching on some of the concepts of paddle design.

Regards
Rod

Thanx gang for all the input.

I have gone with a QB 90 & cut it 4 inches shorter than my Slim Jim. Getting massaged & seeing my Chiro once a week now too. Should be powering again in no time!

Hey guys, i know that mostly this is a matter of prefferences, but what type if blade would you recommend for a surf paddle??. Tried my friend's Webber Nitro ad really liked it compared to my 3piece boardworks ehick weights a ton!!
Quikblade, Kialoha,Werner?
Thanks