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Choose the right paddle for paddle boarding!

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How to choose your equipment

Stand Up Paddle

22 December 2023

Bruno Sroka

The paddle is an essential element to be able to practice paddle boarding. The paddle can be identified with the engine of a car. So choosing the right paddle for paddle boarding is essential to be in line with your needs. Its adapted choice will determine your paddling comfort, your power to generate speed, and be more efficient to tire less over time.

What type of paddle?

1. Paddle Fixed, adjustable or removable.

Fixed paddle paddle : this is a paddle that cannot be adjusted in length. It’s lighter, stiffer, and more capable than an adjustable paddle, but it needs to be cut to the right size for you. Indeed, it is suitable for experienced paddlers who have a regular practice and a defined sailing style.
Adjustable paddle paddle : this is a paddle that can be adjusted in length thanks to a system of clips or screws. It’s heavier, less rigid, and less capable than a fixed paddle, but it offers more versatility and comfort. It is suitable for beginner or intermediate paddlers who have occasional or varied practice.
Removable paddle paddle : this is a paddle that separates into two or three parts for easy transport and storage. It can be fixed or adjustable. It is more practical than a one-piece paddle, but it is more likely to break or play at the junctions.

What material should I use?

2. An aluminum, fiberglass or carbon handle? What is your choice?

Aluminum: it is a strong, resistant and economical material, often used for the handle or blade. It offers good stability in the water, but it is also heavy and cold. It is suitable for beginners or casual paddlers who are looking for a cheap and durable paddle paddle.
Fiberglass: it is a light, rigid and resistant material, often used for the handle or blade. It offers good performance and power transfer, it is also more expensive and more fragile than other materials. It is suitable for intermediate or experienced paddlers who are looking for a quality paddle paddle.
Carbon: it is a very light, very stiff and high-performance material, often used for the shaft or blade. It offers excellent responsiveness and comfort, but it is also very expensive and sensitive to shocks. It is suitable for experienced or expert paddlers who are looking for a high-end paddle paddle.

Tips for choosing the right paddle paddle

3. What size blade?

The blade plays an important role in the performance of a paddle board. It comes in different shapes and sizes. As a rule of thumb, the wider the blade, the more water it propels out. The power of the movement makes it possible to paddle less often. A narrower blade requires less force to paddle. Since paddle strokes are less effective, you need to produce more movements to move forward at the same speed as with a wider blade.

So if you’re looking for comfort, opt for a larger pale. If you’re looking for performance, reduce the size of your paddle’s blade.

alpha paddle in the water

4.What type of blade

As with the paddle handle, there are different types of blades.

Mainly there are plastic blades: it is a light, flexible and cheap material but very strong. It provides good maneuverability, but it is also less rigid and less efficient than other materials. It is suitable for beginners or casual paddlers who are looking for an easy-to-use and very solid paddle board.

Then there are composite blades, usually fiberglass or carbon which provides rigidity, efficiency and performance. However, it is more expensive and more fragile to impacts. So for families with children, we don’t recommend this option.

-The blade plays an important role in the performance of a paddle board. It comes in different shapes and sizes. As a rule of thumb, the wider the blade, the more water it propels out. The power of the movement makes it possible to paddle less often. A narrower blade requires less force to paddle. Since paddle strokes are less effective, you need to produce more movements to move forward at the same speed as with a wider blade.

How to adjust your SUP paddle?

To conclude, a wide blade is suitable for beefy riders, able to produce powerful paddle strokes without getting tired too quickly. A narrower blade is usually intended for women and children with less strength in their arms.

How long should a paddle paddle be?

The length of a paddle paddle depends on several factors: the size of the rider, the thickness of the paddle board, its width, but also the activity practiced with the paddle.

As a rule of thumb, you need to add 10 to 20 cm to your height to find the length of your paddle. But this is by no means a hard and fast rule, as not all paddle board activities require the same paddle length. For paddle surfing, the paddle should be a little shorter to avoid hindering your movements. Do you like to go on long rides on your Stand Up Paddle? In this case, don’t cut corners on the length of the paddle. Here are some tips to help you choose your paddle board.

For paddle surfing or short-distance rides, choose a paddle that is 8 cm higher than your height.
Are you looking for a versatile paddle for mid-distance SUP tours? Opt for a paddle that is 20 cm larger than your height.
Long-distance paddle rides are most effective with a paddle that is 25 cm higher than your height.

See all paddle paddling

To conclude

To choose the right paddle for paddle boarding, you must take into account your level, your physical dimension, your frequency of practice and your sailing style.

If you are looking for performance, we recommend the 60% carbon paddle which will bring you rigidity and performance.
You are looking for a family with an attractive price. We recommend the paddle with an aluminum shaft and a plastic blade.
You are looking for a combination of performance and strength: a carbon shaft with a plastic blade. The 50% carbon paddle with a pale carbon-look plastic is made for you.
You are looking for a paddle for your child so that they can accompany you on a row. Take the kids paddle.

If you compare a paddle board to a car. The board corresponds to the body of the car and the engine of your car to the paddle. So choosing the right paddle will allow you to optimize the performance of your paddle and your paddling efficiency. A good paddle will keep for life. A board will change according to your technical evolution.

If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, please do not hesitate to contact us !

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