Will get this paddle tomorrow. My Straight race paddle is set at 77. How do I set/make this new paddle at the right length since this paddle has a bent shaft. Do I measure it along the bent shaft so that if the total paddle stands, it will be a little shorter than my normal straight paddle?
Any thoughts? Thx.
I ordered mine fixed and glued at my normal length for flat water.. The bend is only very slight and doesn't effect total length by much (if anything).. I was a little concerned about missing the handle when I swapped sides at first and started sliding my hand along to the handle when swapping sides but you soon get used to it and feels like a normal straight shaft paddle.. Even swapping from bent to straight and straight back to bent is no problem..
I like the way it allows you to bend and drop your top arms elbow when pushing forward and I found the paddle more powerful than my straight shaft paddle (same blade size) at mid stroke due to the increased angle on the blade.. It's an interesting paddle and I love mine..
Let me know what you think.. I'd be interested to hear if your paddle is not totally glued is the handle off the shaft or is the shaft off the blade.. Or both.. I'm guessing that any cutting would be done at the bottom of the shaft.. btw mine is the Hulu Small..
If you want it be like your other paddle just tape your other paddle to the wall with it resting on the ground and tape the new handle to the wall alongside the straight shaft paddle and place the new blade on the ground and mark the shaft so total lengths are the same (measuring along the shaft will make the bent shaft a fraction longer).
Thx David John.The handle will be fixed they told me. I will get it in uncut. So if you set a straight and the bend paddle next to one another, the handles will be equal in height next to each other? That's what I want to know.
Select to expand quoteCarvers said..
Will get this paddle tomorrow. My Straight race paddle is set at 77. How do I set/make this new paddle at the right length since this paddle has a bent shaft. Do I measure it along the bent shaft so that if the total paddle stands, it will be a little shorter than my normal straight paddle?
Any thoughts? Thx.
It was a great paddle and I really enjoyed paddling with it until someone nicked it! :(
The hulu small dbend is powerful up front, smooth power and great catch. Great construction and really light. Handle was perfect size and shaft diameter just right as well, and as a big selling point in my books as they don't emphasize it enough: is that the paddle shaft get more grippy when it get water on it (haven't seen similar results on any other paddle yet)!
And obviously the dbend angles have it's benefits on the joints etc, and putting peoples arms into more natural, efficient, powerful paddling angles.
Not much adjustment to stroke was required but you can certainly choose to paddle with a longer stroke, or shorter stroke both with good results.
FYI - I have talked to a couple waka, outrigger paddles here that always use dbend paddles and they favoured a shorter more upright stroke as they always say to never "over-reach" and because of the blade extra angle.
Back to the new paddle height.... We also not sure how to cut our paddles...
I cut mine to same height as straight shaft and it turned out just right.
Don't know if it's the wrong way but I always measure my paddles along the back side and not along the bend of the blade. I measured dbend same way and it turned out same height as my straight shaft when I stood them up side by side.
Others here have cut half inch longer also with same results as their older straight shafts and they were happy with this height for the dbend.
I also thought it may feel shorter with the more angle but no so much (but can depend on how you paddle with it i.e. by still trying to get a really good reach and more positive blade angle for longer - you could go longer; OR, more relaxed reach and shorter more upright stroke as there is already more blade angle and less need to reach so far also works - set same height as straight shaft).
I agree with DJ that the dbend feels more powerful than the straight shaft and over all the hulu small is quite a powerful blade for an 87 whether straight or bent shaft.
DJ FYI the dbend paddles are shipped with no blades attached, handles attached. I have heard possibly next season or two they may be cut at the handle end.
Hope that all makes sense.
Thx for all the info. Got an email from Kialoa too. Told me I have to make it equally long as my normal paddle. They measure it from tip of the blade to top of the handle in a straight line. Now I have to find some time to paddle it.
Had a two hours sup technique training. Great paddle for touring and long distance racing. Not for sprint. I was directly used to the paddle. Smooth entry and easy to finish the stroke. Like the overall looks. It's a keeper. Tried it on a Mistral Vortex Prototype 14 raceboard from the sup11citytour from 2015, ex raceboard from the winner Steeve Teihotataa. So i had to adapt to a new board and new paddle at once. Noticed this wasn't the definate shape of this nice board, too much concave in the tail, no turning beast, contrary I had to swim a few times 
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