That's what I use.. Stiff shaft and small blade.

When I first started SUP, I had constant shoulder pain from manual labour. I used a paddle with flexible shaft until I built up the muscles around the joints, and now I'm virtually pain free. If you're not sure how flexible your paddle shaft really is, lend it to a mate and stand back and watch. I was quite surprised. I have since switched to a paddle with a thicker, stiffer shaft and slightly larger blade. Definitely catching more waves by transferring more power to the water. Kept the original for those lazy days with the kids.

my paddle of choice is the fanatic. sorry about that to those that don't agree.

the shaft has flex but more importantly awesome rebound.



that's the cream. easy on your joints in the extended position then the rebound flex catches up when your joints are in a more compact stronger position.


so you actually get some snap out of your stroke before exiting.


you look at snow skis. they have endless flex patterns but the better skis have flex with strong rebound qualities.


surfboard producers are now investing a lot of time into flex patterns.


I notice a lot of paddlers are writing flex off but I don't believe they have tried a good flex paddle yet.

I reckon its the future as well as more ergonomics

laceys lane said..
my paddle of choice is the fanatic. sorry about that to those that don't agree.

the shaft has flex but more importantly awesome rebound.



that's the cream. easy on your joints in the extended position then the rebound flex catches up when your joints are in a more compact stronger position.


so you actually get some snap out of your stroke before exiting.


you look at snow skis. they have endless flex patterns but the better skis have flex with strong rebound qualities.


surfboard producers are now investing a lot of time into flex patterns.


I notice a lot of paddlers are writing flex off but I don't believe they have tried a good flex paddle yet.

I reckon its the future as well as more ergonomics

I totally agree... having a few full carbon (inflexible) paddles and carbon mix shafts. I suffer no shoulder problems with either - but I find that in unstable (surfing) conditions, where the paddle is acting as a "third leg" so to speak - a flexible shaft is certainly preferred. Can I ask which Fanatic paddle you use? I like the Carbon 40 a lot... albeit heavy and a rather thick shaft.

I do have a couple of Fanatic paddles as well, a full carbon and a Carbon/Innegra

I have had ultra-rigid paddles. Got pains very quickly.

I had quite rigid paddle shafts, but now I use them with a little bit of flex (rounded shaft instead of oval). Since we don't have waves everyday here, I tend to milk out the most of every session, and 5 hours sessions are common. With a little bit of flex in the shaft you wont feel destroyed afterwards.

Since I use boards with no glide (short, e.g 6'8") for my 100kg, I need a big blade however, as I cannot capitalize on many quick strokes, I need to use few powerful well timed ones. Using a small blade makes me fell like stirring a cup of tea... but I could use one on "longboard" shapes.