Hello All,
I was just chasing some advice re blade sizes. A few months ago I downsized to my second board from 9' to 7'11" evoke and I only use it for surfing. It is a cheapy I know but saving the $$ and hopefully will pick up a X32 8'3 as the dream board in the future. I'm currently using an atlantis pro form feather light which seems great, however I think it has a small blade of 8"x18" and wondering if I should go for a larger bladed paddle to help increase my paddling with the shorter board? I'm not having any dramas catching waves but just wondering if it would assist and allow me to catch more.

My first paddle that I now keep as a spare is a "trident" I think and has an oval carbon handle with a big fibreglass blade. It gives great power but compared to the new one it's so heavy. Another question is can you buy replacement carbon blades that I can cut off and replace the fibreglass? Again this will just be a spare paddle and not the replacement for the above.

Cheers Whitey (yt04)

Bigger blades are much better once you know how to take off in one stroke. Thus you just paddle slowly to get in position and then wait to give THE stroke that will trigger the take off at the perfect timing. This is especially useful on light boards with no glide, e.g. 6'.x boards, rockered boards, and leads to late take offs.

People paddling like a motorboat to get a steady speed to get into a wave early will favor a faster cadence, thus a smaller blade.

Smaller blades are also lighter and easier to throw around in manoeuvers.

Also, you can take off in one stroke with a small blade with some technique, by burying it deep enough.

Thanks gents for the replys. I've been thinking of cutting down my current paddle to shorter as it is way above my head and starting to feel "long". Still keen to try removing the glass blade from my spare paddle. Does anyone know where I can source a carbon blade and how much or is just cheaper to buy another?
Cheers YT

Tang said..
Just don't go so short that you have to wreck your back by bending when you paddle.

With some technique, you learn to avoid bending at the waist by:
- lower your upper hand, just angle your upper arm more downards
- bend your knees !!! The #1 key to performance surfing anyways!

PS: Just cut your paddle to your height, that's the reference length for surfing.