Here's some pictures showing how I tape the edge of the blade of my paddles.

For those who have done theirs before will know it's no big deal and pretty easy to do but I've been asked many times how I get mine looking so neat.

First you need a good quality tape.. I have used a few different brands and found some better than others.

I like the Nitto brand.. It's available here from most petrol stations and only costs a few dollars.



First I wash my paddle down with soapy water and rinse and then I spray my paddle with Mr Sheen or Windex.. I like the shinny finish from the little man in a can.



I use Kialoa paddles and I start my tape from where the shrink tape collar is that covers the join between the blade and shaft.



Here's the trick.. When you peel this type of tape it stretches heaps.. You need to let it stretch back and relax before starting to stick it down for the first bit.

If you don't do this when it gets hot on a hot day it will slide back and leave a sticky mess from the glue and look pretty bad.

When taping along the first straight edge of the blade don't stretch the tape.. let it relax back before sticking it down making sure you have 50% each side of the blade.



Now you can pull and stretch the tape as you come to the corner of the blade but only stretch it enough to stop any wrinkles.. You don't need to stretch it that much.



Once you get to the straight bottom part of the blade let the tape relax again before sticking it down.. This helps keep the full thickness of the tape.



Once you've stretched to get around the second corner let it relax as you do the last straight bit.. all the time try and keep it 50% each side.



I usually cut the tape a little long when I get to the end.. Again these end bits must not be stretched or it will slide back after-wards.



I then trim it off to just the right length.



You will end up with a very neat looking taped edge.





If the reason that you tape your blade is to guard against board damage from tapping your paddle against you board rail you may want to do a second layer of tape.

I only use one layer.

I peel it off and replace it every few months or when it get nicks and cuts because you loose the ability to stealth paddle with a chopped up edge and the rough edge looks bad.

I tape my paddle blade edges even though I hardly ever tap the rails of my boards now.. I do it to protect the paddle and most importantly to protect me.

I've accidentally tapped my foot with my paddle and jeeez it can hurt and also cut because your skin gets soft from being wet and more prone to cuts.

I've also rested my paddle blade on the deck of my board once without tape and it slide across the deck and left a nasty scratch that would not have happened with tape.

My first paddle was the large Kialoa Nalu and soon after bought the Shaka Pu'u as a back up paddle just in case anything happened (lost or stolen etc).

When the new Methane came out I had to have one and I have it a few inches shorter.. So then I had all three that Kialoa make.

Because I often take friends for a paddle and most are not as tall as me my paddles are way too long so I recently bought the new Kialoa adjustable paddle.

So now I have four..and no money left in the bank.. btw.. I re-taped all four paddles today and only used less than half a roll of tape.





These paddles are expensive and worth looking after with a paddle bag.. The Kialoa bags are good because the paddle just slips in from one end and Velcro's shut.



The other end rolls down to adjust for different length paddles.



I will have all my paddles down at the Ocean grove demo day this weekend (13th of June 09) if anyone wants to check them out.

DJ

Awesome DJ, this can be a tricky job and you have made it look so easy.

I have also been suggesting that customers use 2 layers if they are stepping down to a smaller board and are not comfortable on it yet. It helps a bit with scuff marks and because the tape is so cheap it can easily be peeled back to one layer or re-done.

You are right there are some pretty crappy tapes out there so make sure you buy a good-un!

AA

You need to tape you paddles no matter how skilled you are. If you are going out in the surf you will fall and your paddle will hit your board (or your body). Two things bring tears to the eyes, hitting your shin with the paddle, or putting a ding in the edge of your $500 carbon paddle.

If you get an air bubble trapped in the tape use a fine needle and gently pierce the bubble then push the air out.

Just pierce the tape with the end of the needle. You don't need a big hole.

When you have finished taping the blade you can wrap a collar of tape around the ends of the shaft lock the ends of the tape into place and reduce the shrink back problem.

You can use the wide black plastic duct tape (the kind with no fabric backing) if you want a wide tape. The narrower stuff is easier to fit.

Rail chips are not really a huge problem. A professional board repairer can sand them out and spray paint and polish the rails for a perfect finish. White is the best colour for getting repairs.

Gorgo said...

You need to tape you paddles no matter how skilled you are. If you are going out in the surf you will fall and your paddle will hit your board (or your body). Two things bring tears to the eyes, hitting your shin with the paddle, or putting a ding in the edge of your $500 carbon paddle.

If you get an air bubble trapped in the tape use a fine needle and gently pierce the bubble then push the air out.

Just pierce the tape with the end of the needle. You don't need a big hole.

When you have finished taping the blade you can wrap a collar of tape around the ends of the shaft lock the ends of the tape into place and reduce the shrink back problem.

You can use the wide black plastic duct tape (the kind with no fabric backing) if you want a wide tape. The narrower stuff is easier to fit.

Rail chips are not really a huge problem. A professional board repairer can sand them out and spray paint and polish the rails for a perfect finish. White is the best colour for getting repairs.

What he ^ says IMO.

It takes very little time (5 mins) to wrap paddles-I actually do 3 layers on the blade (bit of overkill-BUT just adds more protection for no reduction in performance)-using the same tape as DJ-be careful NOT to stretch the tape too much as it then causes 'shrink back' - I pre-wrap the shaft to help the tape stick and then after layering the blade wrap the shaft again to hold it all down.

Works great.

I think particularly on boards that are used in the surf heaps with plenty of paddle action and scrambling for waves (especially most of the short period critical crap we get on Sydney beaches) it's a good idea to wrap paddles-even more overkill I use colour matched gaffa on the rails to prevent chips (the gaffa gets nicked instead and I just replace it)-particularly a good idea where you're lending your boards to friends to ride and they're not particularity experienced-having said that, I was out with Bainy the other day [Rob Bain ex-pro surfer] and he had a ride and, although unstable when paddling [in his normal surf stance-couldn't get the parallel idea] he ripped on the coupla' waves he caught-could be another convert! He was frothing on the 903 Ripper!

DJ great job, as usual, on the post that started this thread.

Thanks DJ,
Great presentation.How good are those Kialoa paddle covers hey? I got one with my new paddle and well worth the $,
Robbo

I have an endless supply of electrical tape











Flying Objects do a very nice, thick padded, paddle bag.
It is also adjustable and has heavy duty, non corrosive zips.

Please tell me that they are NOT lace up Crocs you are wearing in the photos DJ!

i just read that someone waxed their shaft . i put boom grip full length , soft on hands and also on board when clambering back on . also gives a bigger size to hold onto , like im used to lol ( even thouigh i hate lol)