Well on Saunday morning went for a surf and low and behold after about 30 mins my paddle breaks. Not that i am to worried as it came with the board and not the best quality out there.

Now the question is what do i get, i am a solid lump so i am not concerned about being the lightest i mainly use it int he surf or just cruising around with the wife so durability is more important than lightness. I dont want to spend a fortune as i am only a punter but still want full carbon.


Thanks in advance

My vote is for quickblade. Ive got 3. Had one since i started SUP pretty much only surf and have given it a flogging. Still going strong

I would recommend the new Naish LE Wave paddle.... with the moulded handle... so comfy....

I would recommend Quickblade also.

I have two and they have been used a lot. One for distance and downwind and one for surfing. Have not had a single problem.

THEY CAN BE EXPENSIVE DEPENDING on the model you buy but are worth every cent.

ET.

Gareth has the Wave LE been updated? What's the difference if so?

Have had my eye on one of these for a while, and I'm due for an upgrade.

Hi mate, here is a photo of the handle on the Wave LE paddle, really comfy to hold.

The new 2016 paddles are tougher, stronger and more efficient than ever. Biggest changes are with the HELE, Wave LE and Race LE.

Link to the Naish paddles is www.naishsurfing.com/product/wave-le-fixed/

Another vote for Quickblade. Really great product. I've got 2 that I've been using for a few years now and they're still going strong. As previously mentioned though, they are expensive.

Another Quickblade here. Although i only have one that i DW and surf with...

maybe i should look at getting another one...

still haven't snapped my ke nalu demo paddle with the x tuff shaft.......so that would be the piggy bank where I would be placing my hard earned pennies

Thanks for all the recomendations, seems i will have to find some where to check out both options.

Ke Nalu do a glass one which is very light and almost bullet proof. Awesome performance too.

Gotta be Quickblade IMO. :)

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Garethg said..

Hi mate, here is a photo of the handle on the Wave LE paddle, really comfy to hold.

The new 2016 paddles are tougher, stronger and more efficient than ever. Biggest changes are with the HELE, Wave LE and Race LE.

Link to the Naish paddles is www.naishsurfing.com/product/wave-le-fixed/

Legend, thanks mate!

Ke Nalu all the way. I broke 2 other know brands before getting a Ke Nalu Moliko, have never had an issue with it or my race paddle. Even when having it stuck it a hole at Padang while I was wrapped around it going over the falls it didn't even crack.

I've had my naish makani fixed and Kaholo vario for 2 years now.still in good shape ...I use the Kaholo which is full carbon in the waves .it gives a quick ,firm action .Its very tuff.i have hit rocks with it ...and it hardly marked it .

Thanks for all the replies.

Quickblade seems to get the general nod, any recomendations within the Sydney region.

I've still got my first paddle (2010 100in? QB adjustable composite) and used it last night on the Nalu - great for paddling on to small fat beachies & flatwater cruising. Over the past few years I've mainly used a Kialoa Shaka-puu for surf (although snapped 2 shafts so wouldn't recommend them) - the main issue I have with the Kialoa is the stiff shaft creating shoulder soreness. I recently bought a board through SB buy'n'sell and threw the extra coin at a Naish LE wave paddle - definitely my favorite so far! Soft shaft, lightweight and so far has been tough enough to handle my bulky weight when throwing a board around & paddling hard to catch the early waves.

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Sailhack said...
I've still got my first paddle (2010 100in? QB adjustable composite) and used it last night on the Nalu - great for paddling on to small fat beachies & flatwater cruising. Over the past few years I've mainly used a Kialoa Shaka-puu for surf (although snapped 2 shafts so wouldn't recommend them) - the main issue I have with the Kialoa is the stiff shaft creating shoulder soreness. I recently bought a board through SB buy'n'sell and threw the extra coin at a Naish LE wave paddle - definitely my favorite so far! Soft shaft, lightweight and so far has been tough enough to handle my bulky weight when throwing a board around & paddling hard to catch the early waves.

The Shaka Puu is a pretty big blade for surfing. So it's more likely that the blade was too big for you, which was causing the shoulder problems, rather than the stiffness of the shaft (the Kialoas have stiff shafts but there is typically quite a bit of give in the blade). The new Methane II paddle is what I'd recommend for surfing. It's a huge improvement over the original.

As regards snapping, I do wonder if Kialoa have perhaps suffered by being the early market leader in carbon SUP paddles. We all know now that all paddles can break, and that usually the cause of the break is some kind of knock (eg. against a rail in surf, or when transporting it out of the surf) rather than inherent shaft weakness. Compared with the early days, now not only has the SUP community's skill level improved (meaning fewer knocks etc), but also people are more careful with their paddles. So the rate of breakage overall is dropping. I think this may give the impression that the later entrants to the market are tougher than the earlier entrants, despite this not being true. I've had many Kialoa paddles over the last 8 years of SUPing 4-5 times a week and I've never broken one. Some people are just paddle breakers. Several times I've given or sold a paddle that has given me months of reliable service to a relative newbie, and they have snapped it within a couple of weeks. After then having to pay for another one, they are more careful the second time...

Quickblade are pretty much the market leaders in premium paddles right now IMO. But Ke Nalu paddles are better value in many markets and are also very good. Kialoa does some good paddles too, and you can get a greater variety of constructions with them, so getting a light and durable and relatively cheap paddle is possible. I'm sure DJ would be able to advise you. ZRE also have many fans, although I prefer narrower and softer shafts. Werner is another specialist paddle-maker with many ardent fans. IMO the brands that specialise in making paddles generally make better value ones than brands that make all kinds of SUP gear.

Try to demo, or at least handle, the paddles before you buy. The "feel" of a paddle is a very personal thing, and these are expensive items. It is important to find a handle that is a good fit to your hands. I like a t-handle in surf for control, but for other applications I very much like the small palm-grip that QB use on their oval tapered shaft (as is an option for Trifecta and V-Drive paddles). But other people I know don't like them. As I say, it's a very personal thing.

And if in doubt, get a smaller size blade. These days even super-powerful units like Jamie Mitchell are only using blade areas of around 90 sq inches (or less) for most applications, especially surf.

Good luck with your search.

Kialoa builds some awesome paddles, and they're really stout, the new Quickblade designs are really elegant, and the construction quality is topnotch. You can't go wrong with either. But I'm particularly fond of KeNalu and not just because I co-founded the company (sold it, too much work). I like the component construction and the design that lets the components be assembled with hot glue. If you break something with a KeNalu you replace the broken bit. If you want to try a smaller blade, or a high aspect blade, or the whacky but really fast Konihi blades, you just get a blade. I think Lane is still doing the "forever paddle" warranty, which means if you break a part you can replace it at a deep discount. Doesn't matter how you broke it, just that you prove it's broken. At least that's what we were doing when I was part of the company.

Ke Nalu people wind up with a lot of bits that they mix and match from. I change my paddles to fit conditions, board thickness, the kind of activity, and how my back feels. The xTus(s) shaft is like medicine for my screwed up shoulders, and the 100 Flex stiff shaft gets the power into the catch right now.

My 2 cents.

I have a QuickBlade that separates into 3 pieces, which was handy, but the blade was >100 sq inches so I bought a Ke Nalu for surfing which was closer to 92 sq-in. As Pono Bill pointed out, the fact that you can use a hair dryer to remove the blade (and handle) makes it great if something needs to be replaced, etc., but it is also good for travel. And the Ke Nalu shaft has a texture which makes it easier to grip - I found the QB slipped in my hands much more.

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Area10 said..

The Shaka Puu is a pretty big blade for surfing. So it's more likely that the blade was too big for you, which was causing the shoulder problems, rather than the stiffness of the shaft (the Kialoas have stiff shafts but there is typically quite a bit of give in the blade). The new Methane II paddle is what I'd recommend for surfing. It's a huge improvement over the original.

As regards snapping, I do wonder if Kialoa have perhaps suffered by being the early market leader in carbon SUP paddles. We all know now that all paddles can break, and that usually the cause of the break is some kind of knock (eg. against a rail in surf, or when transporting it out of the surf) rather than inherent shaft weakness. Compared with the early days, now not only has the SUP community's skill level improved (meaning fewer knocks etc), but also people are more careful with their paddles. So the rate of breakage overall is dropping. I think this may give the impression that the later entrants to the market are tougher than the earlier entrants, despite this not being true. I've had many Kialoa paddles over the last 8 years of SUPing 4-5 times a week and I've never broken one. Some people are just paddle breakers. Several times I've given or sold a paddle that has given me months of reliable service to a relative newbie, and they have snapped it within a couple of weeks. After then having to pay for another one, they are more careful the second time...

You could be right, and although I still think that the shaft is too stiff, it may be the relationship of blade size to the shaft stiffness that was the issue with the old paddle I have. It was purchased 5 years ago, and there has been huge developments in the technology in that short time so I don't want to speak negatively of the current Kialoa as even my old paddle was one of the lightest I had ever used and I've had some great sessions with it. Both shafts snapped in the same spot (just below bottom hand) when paddling for a fat wave and although I couldn't guarantee the first shaft wasn't damaged as I bought it S/H, the second shaft was treated with care and simply failed IMO. The upside is that I was able to use pieces of the first shaft to sleeve the second break and repaired it successfully, so I still use it - although only on short sessions now as it's even stiffer!

I'm 6'3" and 110kegs and tend to throw my weight around a bit, so although I want a tough paddle I also need a decent sized blade - not so big that I can't draw it through the water though - that will get me onto the waves in offshore winds. The blade on my QB is simply too big and not effective with the soft shaft, although great for small waves on no-wind days and flatwater touring on a long board. The Naish LE seems to be a really good balance for what I want and from what I've heard the KeNalu's are a tough paddle that are rated very high amongst good wave SUPers.

I've had the Kialoa Methane for about 5yrs, to me it was great though sometimes wishing it was a bit softer, just recently I bought and used the KeNalu wiki with xtuff shaft, well what a revelation this piece of equipment is. It seems to propel me on to the wave quicker and more importantly is easier on the body and boy is this body feeling it lately, highly recommend KeNalu wiki blade with xtuff shaft, I'm 53yrs 83kg, 5'10" and extremely good looking.

My vote goes for Ke Nalu (easy to replace components + texture to facilitate grip) + I've got a Laird Carbon X Stiff (I put monster grip on part of the shaft for extra grip) which has really been banged about & it's still going strong. I briefly owned a Wave LE but I personally found it to have too much flex + the diameter of the shaft felt too thin

Vote for KeNalu. Have the Xtuf Maliko, surprisingly light! Love the Ergo-T handle, highly recommend. I tried quick blades, but for the price and what KeNalu provides, I personally find it hard to take the plunge.

Has anyone had/tried the Fanatic Carbon?

Hi Portstretch,

Recently bought the fanatic carbon pro after many years using/snapping lower end paddles.

So far so good. It's light, handle is comfy, easier to switch from side to side & I reckon I catch more waves with it.

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Portstretch said..
Has anyone had/tried the Fanatic Carbon?

I've got the Fanatic carbon paddle - love it. Also an old Ke Nalu which has been good. As Area 10 said, all paddles can break. Giving a carbon paddle a knock can weaken it. Unfortunately it can then break later on for seemingly no reason.

Yep - and it especially applies to cheap carbon. Once it gets hit, is scored, or gets continuous strain in one concentrated area, it weakens fast - and isn't long before failure hits. You never see it coming either. A "join" or second piece just makes it worse:

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PonoBill2 said..
Kialoa builds some awesome paddles, and they're really stout, the new Quickblade designs are really elegant, and the construction quality is topnotch. You can't go wrong with either. But I'm particularly fond of KeNalu and not just because I co-founded the company (sold it, too much work). I like the component construction and the design that lets the components be assembled with hot glue. If you break something with a KeNalu you replace the broken bit. If you want to try a smaller blade, or a high aspect blade, or the whacky but really fast Konihi blades, you just get a blade. I think Lane is still doing the "forever paddle" warranty, which means if you break a part you can replace it at a deep discount. Doesn't matter how you broke it, just that you prove it's broken. At least that's what we were doing when I was part of the company.

Ke Nalu people wind up with a lot of bits that they mix and match from. I change my paddles to fit conditions, board thickness, the kind of activity, and how my back feels. The xTus(s) shaft is like medicine for my screwed up shoulders, and the 100 Flex stiff shaft gets the power into the catch right now.

Have switched handle around a few times and now the hot glue is getting thin.....very thin. Any recommendations for what sort of hot glue to purchase ?

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GizzieNZ said...

PonoBill2 said..
Kialoa builds some awesome paddles, and they're really stout, the new Quickblade designs are really elegant, and the construction quality is topnotch. You can't go wrong with either. But I'm particularly fond of KeNalu and not just because I co-founded the company (sold it, too much work). I like the component construction and the design that lets the components be assembled with hot glue. If you break something with a KeNalu you replace the broken bit. If you want to try a smaller blade, or a high aspect blade, or the whacky but really fast Konihi blades, you just get a blade. I think Lane is still doing the "forever paddle" warranty, which means if you break a part you can replace it at a deep discount. Doesn't matter how you broke it, just that you prove it's broken. At least that's what we were doing when I was part of the company.

Ke Nalu people wind up with a lot of bits that they mix and match from. I change my paddles to fit conditions, board thickness, the kind of activity, and how my back feels. The xTus(s) shaft is like medicine for my screwed up shoulders, and the 100 Flex stiff shaft gets the power into the catch right now.

Have switched handle around a few times and now the hot glue is getting thin.....very thin. Any recommendations for what sort of hot glue to purchase ?

You can buy the glue direct from Ke Nalu. Email Dean at Ke Nalu Australia.

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GizzieNZ said..

Have switched handle around a few times and now the hot glue is getting thin.....very thin. Any recommendations for what sort of hot glue to purchase ?

I've been using the Bostik hot glue from the local hardware, with my glue gun. Never had an issue with it, works fine (and I'm not gentle on it).