G'day folks,

I am chasing recommendations on a strong paddle. I snapped my wife's paddle yesterday and needless to say she was not overjoyed by it. Whenever I used the paddle it always felt flexi and yesterday was the obvious conclusion. The paddle is a Naish Makani 8.0, and being 195cm I have it adjusted to its max recommended length. Weighing 110kg as well probably doesn't help either, and when powering up to get onto a wave...snap.

I am am hoping to get a replacement shaft for the handle part as the blade section is still in perfect condition. In the meantime I am thinking I should get something for myself that is a lot more robust.

Cheers for any advice .

Any paddle will break if you don't treat it right. But the Kialoa GL Surf paddle is an absolute brute, and I doubt if anyone has the paddle power, strength or weight to break that under normal use.

I've snapped my Makani extension twice now ST (90kg / 194 cm) and use it very carefully when going all out after a wave so I know what you are saying!

Others will have a better idea on a stronger paddle option.

However, I've put some clear plastic duct tape around the extension (kept out of the grooves).

The reason for this was that I figured that perhaps the clamp was over-tightened (which I was needed to prevent slippage) and the level of compression from that was leading to problems.

This has allowed me to ease off on the clamp a little and there is no slippage at all.

The paddle also feels a little bit stiffer too and no snappo so far..............yet!

It gets a bit more water in but a quick unclamp and water dump in between waves isn't too much of a pain for what appears (for now at least) something that might survive a bit longer.

Ive had great success with Quickblade. I have 2 of them. I mostly use my surf paddle which is also the first paddle i bought and learnt with. I have given it a hidding and still going strong after 5 years or more

Yep, any paddle will break under the right (wrong) conditions.

Look at Ke Nalu - tough as a very tough thing in my experience (I still have one of the very first batch ever brought in to OZ & use it almost daily) and if you do break something the components are an easy swap out.

I snapped my Makani too, and my Fanatic Bamboo, and have creased the blade on my NP.....


After attempting to buy replacement parts for the Fanatic and Naish and being told "No, just buy a new paddle" I think I'll try a Ke Nalu next time, since they openly advertise that they are happy to sell individual components, and will cover you for 12 months so long as you have treated it nicely and something goes wrong.

Sounds like a winner to me!

Hey Shi Thouse.
The makanis are a great paddle, I have one and agree they are very "flexy", but light and easy to use in the surf.
If you want to try something stronger, try a C4 waterman full carbon (650gms) or full fibreglass(795gms) surf paddles. They are strong for their weight, comfortable palm grip, and have an oval and tapered erganomic shaft. I really enjoy using the carbon paddle. It is easy to get the power on when you need to for a surf, but makes cruising a dream. I am lucky enough to have a carbon X-wing race , full carbon surf and the full fibreglass surf paddles, they are all quality made and fantastic to use.

I snapped a new Makani variable length paddle (less than a month old at that point) while flatwater paddling. the break was the same you describe. This paddle has the non-circular cross section to make sure the handle and blade are always aligned.

I took it back to the guy I bought it from and he replaced the top section with a new one. Great service. He said Nasih had a bunch of 'em break. . something about forgetting a lamination layer?

Anywho, it's always worth asking.

Ke Nalu with the X Tuf shaft gets my vote.....really strong with bit of flex in it to keep things feeling lively

Second the Ke Nalu

By far the best paddle I've ever used, plus the benefit of a "component" system that allows for easy replacement of any broken part, or the ability to change blade sizes, shaft flex or handle style without buying a new paddle.

+1 or is it 2 now for KeNalu.............if it all goes pear shaped their replacement offer is da bomb!

Here is a pic of my new Xtuff Malico. I had been using my Elite in the surf previously but wanted it shorter and some more flex in the Xtuff s shaft.

Thanks for the information folks, I will check out the paddles recommended! Interestingly enough the store that sold the Naish paddle no longer continues to stock them due to the issues that have occurred and the inability of them to provide replacement parts ie. the handle shaft.

I have aver also been told that with my weight and height a two piece adjustable is not recommended. Fair call but the paddle should not then have that amount of adjustment.

Cheers again!

With your Naish, check to see if the "Anti Twist" writing on the top shaft is yellow or white. The newer, improved ones have white. If yours is yellow take it to the store for a replacement.

Simple
QB
kanaha AC
110
SSI 40

does the trick and I've given it some stick . . . . @ 110 kegs ur a light weight

great blade
s

Yep...it's got the yellow writing on it.

Thanks for that, I will get in touch with the store!!

ive got the white writing it's a replacement part and it has been making some horrible cracking noises,just waiting for it break !!!

Hmmm, after snapping 1 makani, 3 kaholo vario and I've just managed to snap of my fixed shaft Naish wave le, (it's lasted longer than all the the other names so paddles @ 9 months). Naish need to be applauded for their attempts to fill a customers paddle need, they came to the party every time. I've decided the kenalu xtuff shaft is definitely the strongest, but you do trade up for the lovely shoulder easing flex and superb finish of th the wave le. Ke nalu, as someone pointed out earlier is a brute and doesn't have the lovely finish the Naish wave le has, but the fact that it feels indestructible allows you to look past the rough edge blade and the hollow tin can sound it makes.

Realizing that strength and flexibility don't marry well in a paddle, i would be ever so grateful for anyone that can recommend a small bladed, flexible fixed shaft paddle with supersonic strength for the surf. I regularly switch paddles and have spoken to numerous people's about technique.
I've been told end of the day I deserve to have sore shoulders if I'm going to be in the surf 6 days a week for 3 hrs at a time,any salvation would be appreciated.

Hey Pinkbudha you say you have decided the Ke Nalu xtuf shaft is the strongest, but it sounds like you think it is to stiff, just curious have you actually tried it and if so with what size blade?

I used to have shoulder issues and had a couple of paddle breakages when using other brand paddles but since swithing to KeNalu a couple of years ago I have had no real shoulder problems and no breakages, they have quite a bit of flex.

Then again it's not often I am "in the surf 6 days a week for 3 hours a day" (I wish)

As for "rough edge blade" the beauty of Ke Nalu is you can mix and match, the xtuff blades are cheaper and stronger (I believe, I haven't tried one) but the elite blades are lighter and better finish.

My current surf paddle is the KeNalu xtuff shaft with a Elite Ho'aloa 84 blade with the ergo T handle, great surf combo.

Your all 3 ke nalu components are same as what I have and been using for my main paddle for about 3 months. Your right it does have a little flex, but less than 1/2 the flex of what the Naish wave le has, (or more appropriately, HAD).The Naish paddle really does feel nice to use, and every time it needed a serious "heave" I would squat, grab low and pull from a couple inches above the blade, which I think prolonged the breakage but didn't prevent it.

Looked a little close to the finish of both, and apart from the trick criss cross shaft pattern, the only 'finesse' on the Naish paddle is the Abs rail on the blade smooth and sleek all the way to the shaft entry opening, where as the ke nalu has clearly had the front and back of the blade glued together, looks a little unfinished in comparison, with a rough finish on both sharp edges of blade.

The function of the Ke Nalu kit does work well, gets me on waves, doesn't slip and feels like it will NEVER break, the Naish flex with the thin shaft and slightly more contoured handle that sits in your palm like you know what, just felt like it gave you more options on the water. The slightly larger blade wasn't at all a hindrance with that rubber feel shaft, but it just doesn't last.

Ok you got me, I'm surprised you have any shoulder pain with that combo, it saved mine, I personally wouldn't want anymore flex but hey we are all different.

A couple of things that may be options:

Ke Nalu do make a 74" Wiki blade which I am about to try, that could be a little more forgiving and would obviously work with the shaft you already have.

Paddle length makes a big difference, I found that too long hurts my shoulder, my surf paddle has got shorter and shorter over the years and is now roughly head high.

Any adjustable paddle is inherently weak and when they are loaded up to catch a wave the stress concentrates at the joint. I have seen several brands break in the surf as well as when they are fallen on. An adjustable paddle is a compromise between convenience of owning one paddle (or being a beginner) and durability.

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BrisKites said...
With your Naish, check to see if the "Anti Twist" writing on the top shaft is yellow or white. The newer, improved ones have white. If yours is yellow take it to the store for a replacement.

That would explain why mine now feels stiffer!

Tight like a tiger lines, I think you got it! I never thought of shortening the paddle a little more. Currently I have it about half a head taller than me, which allows me to get moving fast and power into waves easy. But for shoulders sake, I'll chop it down tonight, if I don't like it I always have that 15cm extension in the handle, ha!

The Naish wave le, with its crazy flexibility, seemed wasteful and simply a distraction at first, once I learnt to incorporate the flex into my wave riding, I fell in love. It's simply more forgiving, and the slight delay can be very useful in drop turns and choppy days where the paddle needs to be in the water just to stay on the board.

Please share your thoughts on the 74" blade, I'd be interested to know if you feel a difference in acceleration movement through the water.