Hi,
After spending the last year or so paddling skis exclusively, I am feeling like I want to do some SUP again and to do that, I really need a paddle upgrade (smaller blade).

I will be paddling mostly flat water & occasional DW on a 12' race board. No real interest in racing or competition.

I like bang for buck. Dont necessarily need the latest and greatest but still something decent.

Suggestions ? I noticed that the OneOceanSports paddle has dropped $100 since I last looked. Anyone used them ? good/bad ?

I second that question . I need a paddle upgrade and can't afford a Starboard Lima . Mine's for race training . They look like great value but I haven't come across any owners.

As the saying goes you get what you pay for ,pay big bucks, you get a good paddle ,a paddle is one of your most important parts of SUPing ,I have 4 paddles ,the Last one I brought was a $330 starboard Enduro medium blade (fixed) ,I brought it for my 12 search as I flat water paddle it most times ,it has I nice flex and for the price it is was great value,I probably wouldn't use it in the surf ,My Naish wave paddle was $625 at the time ,5 years now and still going strong ,hope that helped guys .spend as much as you can ,i know it hurts ,,cheap ones are usually heavy and poor fittings and tend to snap,

If going for cheap: Atlantis do a fixed length carbon paddle for $220.

Starboard have good ones at under $300.

Otherwise KeNalu is hard to go past for quality and spares. More $$ but worth it imo

I like the Black Project paddles. The Lava 1-piece is on sale for $263. It is billed as an all-around and it was my surf paddle for quite awhile until I just upgraded to a Surge. I also have the Ohana which is the next step down from the Lava and it is a good paddle as well but a bit heavier.

To be fair I really haven't used many other brands except a Kialoa which I liked as well.

I got a screaming deal on a Lava awhile back and Black Project's customer service has been second-to-none. I snapped my paddle shaft on the rail of my board and they sent out replacement parts quickly and for a fair price.

They have lots of options - blade size, shaft flex, handle type, fixed/adjustable.

Shipping is free in the US but, unfortunately, $75-100 elsewhere.

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Hoppo3228 said..
If going for cheap: Atlantis do a fixed length carbon paddle for $220.

Starboard have good ones at under $300.

Otherwise KeNalu is hard to go past for quality and spares. More $$ but worth it imo

Pretty sure KeNalu are 'no more'

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DavidJohn said..

Hoppo3228 said..
If going for cheap: Atlantis do a fixed length carbon paddle for $220.

Starboard have good ones at under $300.

Otherwise KeNalu is hard to go past for quality and spares. More $$ but worth it imo

Pretty sure KeNalu are 'no more'

Hey D.J any Chrissy vids at the not named long board break coming? For me it's not Xmas without watching yourself and friends having a ball out there.!

Ha.. Thanks.. I'll see what I can do..

Re the paddles I'd recommend getting a big brand paddle if you're intending to DW with it because you don't want to risk a breakage half way through a downwinder.. I've been there with that happening and it's not nice.. It doesn't need to be their most expensive because most big brand paddles have a big price difference in their range..

I'd also recommend the small blade and stiffer shaft option because when you did deep to catch a runner the worst thing is a paddle with a limp noodle shaft or too big a blade that don't allow a high cadence..

Give One Ocean Sports a call and see what they say and what their experience is with that particular paddle..

I'm sure it will be fine..

DJ,
Still looks like the aussie seller has stock even if the brand is no longer. Still the best paddles I've used.

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Hoppo3228 said..
DJ,
Still looks like the aussie seller has stock even if the brand is no longer. Still the best paddles I've used.

Good to know.. Thanks.. Grab one while you can..

thanks all for the comments... would have been nice to get some real feedback on the oceansports paddle - seems good value. I think that I will probably give it a crack and see how it goes.

The ONE paddles are as good as anything on the market, made in the same place as most of the top brands and only cheaper because we sell direct so no big retailer margin. The paddles are like everything else we sell and we work super hard to make the production to the highest level but keep the pricing as fair as possible and why we now sell 99% direct.
We sell heaps of them and never a complaint, we use them for all our SUP racing and foiling. They have heaps of power for there size and super light.

More than happy to answer any questions on these anyone might have.

KeNalu!. Best paddle I have owned.

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Supster7 said..
KeNalu!. Best paddle I have owned.

That's great but I've contacted them directly and they're about to close up shop . A couple of blades left (no Manas and only their stiffest shafts.) Production has ceased .

Sunova balsa blade w/ bamboo/carbon shaft .. just sayin :)

VMG Paddles are really good and you get a carry bag as part of the deal, very light and a choice of shafts is available but you need to buy grip and put it on before you clue it together. The shaft is too slippery without it.

just as an update, I went ahead with the OneOceanSports paddle. My wife made me wait until xmas to bring it out but have had a few paddles so far. In case it is of use to someone;

- visually very good, seems to be a great weight. Good value $
- love the shaft texture. Its a little stiffer than I am used to but can feel some give, so should be good.
- dropping down in blade size has made me need to focus more on the catch, sometimes it is crap. Some work for me there
- I will get used to the ergo T handle... I prefer the traditional style on my old Naish.
- it came with a draw string fabric bag for the blade. Sizing is sloppy and thin nylon will only give minimal protection. I am not using it but if I was, I would add a cord lock and trim it down.

overall pretty happy.