Im after some advice... I've heard so many different things with racing paddles! How many inches should the paddle be above my head? I'm 5ft 10 (175cm) - and have a 12'6 Sup for now, potentially looking at a bigger race board soon...

What are the best brands? Ive heard a few different names - also how wide should the blade be? Ive heard anything from 8-9inches..

Any advice is welcome!!!

It all depends on the board you are riding and the actual length of the blade face?? If you can me on 0415769218 I can explain it to you

Cheers
Sam

Starlet gc said...

Im after some advice... I've heard so many different things with racing paddles! How many inches should the paddle be above my head? I'm 5ft 10 (175cm) - and have a 12'6 Sup for now, potentially looking at a bigger race board soon...

What are the best brands? Ive heard a few different names - also how wide should the blade be? Ive heard anything from 8-9inches..

Any advice is welcome!!!

Contact Greenline Paddle surf about hiring one of the new Quickblade carbon adjustable paddles and experiment a bit with different lengths and what suits your particular board. Also would be worth talking to Mick and Shakira and pick their brains about the different requirements for male and female top end paddlers - they are awesome paddlers and their experience is unmatched.

And don't forget to book in with your physio before you head out for the first time with a paddle 12 over !!!

Yeah QB paddles are very good, i have been using the elite racer for a couple of weeks and its a great paddle the blade is a touch to big for me but we have all the new 8.7 blade here now and they will be a bit better for some one my size i feel. We have demos in store and for people who want a good race paddle its hard to go past the QB.

My race paddle is about 10inc above my head and feels fine. I have tried it longer and felt like hard work.

Cheers Jacko

I think it depends on several things, including your size and fitness, the board and conditions and the length of the race.

I read in several places that a smaller blade is better for racing/downwinders but when I raced in the RPS 40 I used a Kialoa with a smaller face when really I think it would have been better using my larger Werner Spanker (I'm on the bigger side at 6' and 95kg). This race was over 40 minutes and I wound up doing >4km. Anything over 5 or 6 km I'd still consider a smaller blade though.

I have heard that in some longer outrigger canoe races they use a big blade to start with then swap to a smaller size after a while when they are tired.

Yep got a couple for demo.

Jacko