Been saving up for a new paddle, for my daughter!
I could get a new one for me but let's face it its probably not going to make me any faster!
I've been buying cheap paddles and cutting them down for years.
I am sure we will both get more smiles out of a new paddle for her.

Paddles can be like running shoes.
They won't win a race for you but they can make the race much easier and a lot more comfortable.
Once you use a nice light and well designed paddle you'll never want to use that old cheap heavy paddle again. Using that old paddle will be like running in work boots..

check out the naish range ,good price and good quality .she deserves it ,i brought my daughter a Alana ...6 years and still going strong .
get a vario she will grow with it .

The Vario juniors are all sold out here. Cant find one.
Bamboo star does a good looking kids paddle.
Some so called kids paddles are 800-900 grams and have massive blades.

www.bamboostar.fr/product/pagaie-paddle-vario-junior-enfant/

What budget are you working with?

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tarquin1 said..
The Vario juniors are all sold out here. Cant find one.
Bamboo star does a good looking kids paddle.
Some so called kids paddles are 800-900 grams and have massive blades.

www.bamboostar.fr/product/pagaie-paddle-vario-junior-enfant/

I agree about the blade sizes for kids and the shafts are often way too big as well. I made a board for a young girl recently and ended up having to make a Balsa core blade and carbon shaft from offcuts because nothing was even remotely suitable. Even then I think I should have bought a 22mm carbon shaft instead of the 25mm offcuts.
I calculated she needed about a 36sq" blade ( based on weight and size relative to an adult) but the calcs were based on guessing not sound ergonomic fact.
I think a paddle with replaceable blades and extendable shafts is what is needed to accomodate growth, but with that comes weight , which kids will have much more issue with.
This is what the one I made looks like ( carbon shaft. Balsa core, epoxy innegra, glass, and carbon blade). It wasn't as light as I would have liked but way better than anything available for kids.
The white face is the power face. Modelled on Black Project and Blackfish paddle shape , with a face dihedral.

Hi Burchas. Havnt really thought about a budget but not going to spend a fortune. The Bamboostar looks like the go for her. At 129 euros it's good value.
Great work gregjet. How old is the lucky kid.
The Bamboostar blade is 470 cm 2.Still seems a bit big but the smallest I can find. My wife will use it too. It's only 480 grams as well. Pretty good for an adjustable paddle.

That is 71sq". How tall and how old is she?
The paddle I made is for a 4 year old but, she won't get to use it on a regular basis so I am not too worried about it's size.
The problem is loading the epiphyseal plates on growing bones for continuous time ( more than 20 m at medium loads less for higher loads.).Same reason that young racing cyclists are limited in how tall a gear that are allowed to ride.
Damage to these can have lifelong effects and effect growth including differential elongation.
Girls are also prone to an overuse injury to the elbow ( forgotten the name of it sorry) for which paddling will probably be a sport of interest.
Starboard makes a 427sq cm paddle in the XS size with a 26mm shaft IF you can find one. Weighs 695gms though.

My daughter is 11 and does a bit of gymnastics so she is flexible and strong. So not too worried about the size of the blade.
It will be a big improvement to the paddle she has.
Very lucky 4 year old.
My daughter had an emergency canoe paddle when she was little. The ones that work like an adjustable paddle.

Had a quick look at the Starboard paddles. The kids adjustable one is quite short and she would grow at of it quickly. And its 100 euros more!

I have something in mind that will be 420 sq cm or even smaller and blade outline that is a little more forgiving.
overall weight of well under 500grams with plenty of room for length adjustment and a very nice flexible shaft.
All hot glue parts for future modification .

At around 250 Euros It's not cheap but I think it's well worth it. With its modularity, could be used for years.

That's the only way I have my paddles

Sounds a bit too expensive to be honest. She doesn't really paddle enough to justify it. I did look into buying bits but as you said it gets expensive quickly. Looked for broken paddles etc as well.

"My daughter is 11 and does a bit of gymnastics so she is flexible and strong. So not too worried about the size of the blade.
It will be a big improvement to the paddle she has."
Please note that not matter how fit, flexible or strong a growing person, the epiphyseal plates damage can occur if they are overload continually. This damage can have an effect for the rest of a persons life. As far as I know there has not been any research on children and SUP so I would pay to be prudent.
Smaller and higher cadence will always help mitigate any possible problems.
Here is just one article . there is plenty more from reputable sources. Unfortunately insufficient actual sport specific research, especially for a new sport like ours. There is a heap for cycling though. For cycling they limit the "size" of the gear to encourage spinning ( high cadence). I suspect the same would apply for paddling.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3194019/

When I say I am not worried,it is smaller than what she has been using. It's not like she paddles a few times a week. We have had our fair share of injuries because of gymnastics so will be cautious. I would say we paddle 1 hour max when she does come and it's at a pretty slow pace. It's not like she's training for racing or anything. But I appreciate the concern.

So I ordered the Bamboostar paddle. Couldn't find anything with a slim shaft,adjustable and small blade in stock or under 200 euros.
It's in French but I am sure you can figure out the numbers.
I called them and had a quick chat.
Yes the paddles are made in Asia,he wouldn't say where. Yes it's in a factory that makes paddles for lots of other companies.
He said the junior adjustable has been one of their best sellers. Only 1 left now. Fiberglass shaft to keep the cost down and more flexible than a carbon shaft. It's still only 480 grams.
The big thing is they dont have a shop,small family company. Virtually no advertising. Just a website. This allows them to keep the price down.
Will post some pics when I get it.

i know you have purchased the bamboo, but if she really gets into the sport I would recommend the naish paddles as their blades are small, my nephew, 11 rides one and he is like 50 kilos and 5ft 3. Get an old one 3-4 years old as they are sitll same paddle.

So the paddle arrived and she loves it. She got up at 0630 to try it.
480 grams as advertised. The skinny shaft is much better for her. The quality is OK. The nice shiney paint job on the blade looks like it will chip easily. Might have to get a blade protector thingy. The shaft is shiney as well not mat. The blade size seems right. I thought it might be a bit big. 470 cm2. You can see a little flex in the shaft when she paddles.
I will be keeping an eye out for a Naish on sale or second hand incase she gets into it more.

Nice technique