There's an easy answer... Any of the top line paddles will be fine. If you did speed test runs with 5 different top line paddles, the time differences will be merely fatigue / effort related. You can't buy speed, you earn it with hard work, training, eating right, recovering properly, and good hydration, pre, post, and during. A three month engine overhaul will possibly see you paddling 5-15% faster. A good paddle might give you that extra 1-2%, max. But that can be important... but training is more important... assuming you have a top line "light" paddle.
If I was buying a paddle today or tomorrow, it would probably buy a Ke Nalu. I would need to choose between the Maliko and the Molokai. If I was in the market for 2 paddles, I would buy both !!
Some things to consider;
- a light paddle, give less swing weight, and less energy required in the recover portion of the stroke.
- generally, most people will race with a paddle that is 1-2, maybe 3 inches longer than their surf paddle (if you don't surf, stand up straight, reach up, and the T handle should be roughly in the middle of your palm, or maybe and inch below that... personal preference - that's a starting guide to your race paddle length).
- a good quality carbon paddle does not grow on a tree... or as someone on here has said before, "if you want to play, you have to pay", unfortunately!
- different paddle have a different feel... it's just a matter of testing a few, borrowing, etc... even if they are the wrong length...
- large blade sizes (100 square inches and over) are more suited to larger more powerful paddlers... think Laird and Dave Kalama
- medium blade sizes (90-100 squares) are a good all round size for surf and race, to suit most people
- small blade sizes (down under 90 squares) are oriented towards to kids and women. But quite a few guys like to race with small blades for high cadence. This suits some people who are very fit.
Paddle Blade Size - if in doubt, and if you're an "average" size, go with the 95 range, +/- a little.
