Naish sent a box of new paddles to SHQ for the OG13 demo day and said that I could take them out and use them before sending them back.

There was five out of the six new Naish paddles in the box with the only one missing being their new alloy adjustable paddle.

The five paddles were.. a full carbon paddle with what they call the race blade and also a cheaper carbon/glass version that has a white blade and handle.

Also a full carbon paddle with a wave blade and also a carbon/glass version of it.. and there was also a nice looking carbon/wood paddle with the race blade.

Paddling them gave me an excuse to take heaps of pics.. .. Here's the first one.. It's the carbon/glass paddle with the race blade.

Nice pic's DJ, how did the paddles perform?

Now the beautiful Naish wood race blade with the carbon shaft.

The new Naish wave blade is an interesting shape.. I'm not sure what that cut-out does.

I can only guess that it reduces the initial bite of the paddle making it softer especially when half dipping.

It may also direct the water flow down the blade rather than off the sides causing flutter.











I'm yet to have a good paddle with the wave blade.. I hope to get a good day soon with the full carbon wave blade.. I want to use it in the waves.

DJ

DavidJohn said...





DJ

Interesting that the blade is asymmetrical. I imagine the 'notch' would work quite well to avoid 'wobble' with minimal loss of power.

I was interested to see how the new Naish paddle compares to my favorite paddle.. The Kialoa Shaka Pu'u .

Other than being a bigger blade the shape is very similar.. Here's a few comparo pics.









The wood looks great..The blade is nice and thin and also very light.. But .. As I found out showing a friend it's not as durable as the others blades.

It got dropped from only a few inches onto a concrete floor and nasty damage was done.. Ooops.. Sorry Naish..

The wood seems to just have an epoxy clear coat similar to floor boards and there is no extra fiberglass re-enforcement.. Maybe there should be.

Taping the blade edge would help some.. If you buy this paddle be gentle.. Don't dig it into rocks in shallow water etc.

DJ

Hey DJ, how did you find those handles?

They look like the ones on the Oxbow budget paddle that I have as a spare. Maybe the pics are deceptive?

I much prefer the handle on the Kialoa methane that I got a few weeks back to the Oxbow.

Beautiful looking paddles though! Oh and nice pics!

goatman said...

Hey DJ, how did you find those handles?

They look like the ones on the Oxbow budget paddle that I have as a spare. Maybe the pics are deceptive?

I much prefer the handle on the Kialoa methane that I got a few weeks back to the Oxbow.

Beautiful looking paddles though! Oh and nice pics!

I found the handle to be a bit small. Its an ergonomic design which I prefer over T-Bars but it seems to be a bit smaller than the Werner and GSI ergonomic handles. As a consequence I was getting more pressure on the outside section of my palm.

Nah - I don't think it's the photo angle - DJ, care to clarify?

I think it must be the angle of the pic.. They are symmetrical when looking squarely at them.

I think the camera lens has a slightly wide angle.

DJ

DavidJohn said...

Nah - I don't think it's the photo angle - DJ, care to clarify?

I think it must be the angle of the pic.. They are symmetrical when looking squarely at them.

I think the camera lens has a slightly wide angle.

DJ

Righto-that clears that up then.

LSD said...

DJ, didnt you tell me the new Naish wave blade was for catchin sea snakes

.. Yeah.. that's it..

DJ

Hey Zimbo
I've been drooling over those Whiskey Jacks for ages.
Please please please put up heaps of pics when you get it.
Jack

No-one commented on your starfish shots!!?!! Nice touch DJ, I liked them, altho' hopefully the RSPCA won't get wind of that poor lil' fella being dangled by his arm

DavidJohn said...

mollydooka said...

No-one commented on your starfish shots!!?!! Nice touch DJ, I liked them, altho' hopefully the RSPCA won't get wind of that poor lil' fella being dangled by his arm

I like starfish.. they taste like chicken..

Best to eat them fresh and they're a bit crunchie.. They go soft soon after being out of the water and then don't taste as good..

DJ

you're quick, must have a million images on that digital camera of yours. What about sea urchins? Don't see them in Perth thankfully, but I remember digging the little buggers out of my feet surfing in Portugal, while the locals were risking life & limb pulling them out of the surf, cracking them open & eating them raw

Jack Mack said...

Jason are you at the stage of brand naming and selling your paddles yet.
I reckon there's a market just waiting.
Jack

Hi Jack,

I'm getting closer , with more R&D I'll have the weight and strength just right .
My garage has turned into a production line , these should be in the water in a few weeks.

The hardest part has been glassing in a 10 deg garage at night , evan the heat box has struggled.


Jason.

I reckon you would have been good at art school back in the day. Close ups are your specialty.



It would be good to get a shot of that toy we saw earlier surfing this one