I need advice on how long to cut my Kialoa Pipes shaft for surfing.
I've read some of the older posts, and know that I need the surf shaft shorter than a flat water shaft.
I'm 5'7" riding an 8'5" Coreban Nitro. What shaft lenght would you advise?
Thanks!
Yeah, that sounds about right. In line with what you say, I notice that Casso has his surf paddles 5" overhead.
What do you normally use? I wouldn't vary too much from that.
I started with 7" longer and went up to 8" on the second paddle I bought. I am riding a small under buoyant SUP.
Thanks for the input. My normal paddle has been the Shaka Puu Kialoa paddle. It's total length is a shaka more than my height... for me a shaka is 6.3".
I have an adjustable paddle, which I used at lunchtime today with a couple of varying lengths.
Paddle length at 5'7" resulted in me banging my rails abit and leaning forward uncomfortably. At this length, I lost a lot of reach forward as the paddle entered the water.
I extended the paddle to 5'11" and it felt about right in today's choppy little surf.
So, 6 foot (my height plus 5") may end up being the length.
Goatman, why 7"-8" for your surf paddle? On the Nitro, I find I'm bending my knees a lot to stabilise in chop and over whitewater. With my regular paddle length, my upward reach is uncomfortably high for the lower crouch i go in and out of on the little board.
Don't know, just felt right. I did years of C1 Slalom paddling so maybe spread my hands apart a little more. Its at the longer end of the surfing spectrum but there are plenty of others using similar from what I read when I first started.
Youv'e got to be careful cutting down too quickly, if you go too short it's stuffed.Just remember you dont want to be bending over to much in your normal paddle stance, and you need to be able to paddle watching the waves and other surfers.It seems 8 inches is a really good place to start,not too long, not too short.Good luck.
Yeah, 5 inches would totally stuff my back from having to bend so much, also you have less leverage the shorter you go.
Mind you I don't have shoulder problems which I am told, a longer paddle can irritate.
I started at 8" and slowly dropped down to 5" overhead and it just got better and better the shorter I cut it. It even feels easier to balance when it is choppy, I think because it forces me to crouch a bit more and lower my centre of gravity.
I'm not going any shorter though and you definitely need a 2nd paddle for flat water stuff if you go under about 6-7".
Test, test, and test again with an adjustable paddle and your most used SUP board.
Once comfortable with your paddle size ... check again ... and now yes ... go for it anc cut your new carbon paddle.
Yesterday I was stretching up, ready to paddle out for a SUP surf. By the time I was heading out the door, the southerly had blown out the beach. So I headed down to my flatwater spot.
I used my normal paddle length (6.3" overhead). It was great on the flat water. The previous day in the surf, the same paddle was ok but not as good as shorter paddles I've borrowed from mates.
The point is- these experiences simply reinforce my resolve to get the right length for surfing.
was thinking that. you wouldnt be able to lengthen a QB by LESS than say 3 inches up at the handle as the top grip fits internal.
just dont use timber. the best material is the same as what ever the shaft is made from
FYI, I decided on 5" overhead. That means that, for me, the Pipes is 6' total paddle length. Tested it in flat water first- excellent. Yesterday, I got out just as the NE ws kicking in at Maroubra. Pretty choppy. Cool- again the 6' paddle length was great. Whatever my body english, level of crouch or uprightness, I could keep the power on each stroke. On the few waves I got, I had fine paddle control. Swing weight in transitions was noticeably lighter. Next goal is to get my skills and performance up to the potential of this new hp equipment 
