I'm no expert but I find all this interesting.

I made my own paddles for years and they had no angle on the blade.. and I liked it.. I liked the way it didn't matter which way the blade faced.

I then used new C4 and realized there's something in this blade angle thing and I liked it better..I liked the extra reach..I like the way the blade released from the water.

I once saw a picture of Laird and noticed the extreme angle on his paddle.. It was a QuickBlade.

I've since tried them all.. The QuickBlade feels a but odd at about 14 deg.. It has even more reach than normal but the blade doesn't seem to start to work until the end of the stroke..Right where max power is.. I can see why Laird would like it.

The C4, Werner and Kialoa are about 12 deg and I think that feels just right.. (maybe that's because it's what I'm used to now).

Yesterday I saw pictures of the new JP paddles and they look only about 8 deg.. Almost straight.

I'm thinking thinking if you want heaps of power with a long stroke the more blade angle the better.

I think if you want to paddle with a faster cadence and shorter stroke a blade with less angle is better.

I think you still need some angle because it helps the paddle slip out of the water at the end of the stroke.. plus helps to stop lifting water at the end of the stroke..and also helps to lift the board with each stroke.

I know Dave Chun from Kialoa is working with Chuck Patterson on a new race paddle and it will be interesting to see what angle the blade is.

He did tell me that it will have a slight dihedral in the face but that's all I know.

I'm not sure if that helped any but that's my two cents worth..

DJ

Yeah.. That's how I see it..

It would be interesting to hear what Woogie thinks about all this and why he uses so little angle in his paddles... (Only 8 degrees I think.)

DJ

OK, all good info but I'm still a bit confused. Here's my thoughts on these two paddles. I use them both and like them both however they are very different. The Kiakaha is my favourite out of the two. It feels comfortable straight away and it feels like it has a lot more power than the Surfshapes. If the waves are weak or full the Kiakaha is my paddle of choice, as I feel I can dig it into the water and really power the board forward. The shaft feels like it has a bit more flex in it than the Surfshapes. The downside of having all this power on tap, as Piros said, is I feel it in the shoulders after my surf. The Kiakaha definetly puts more strain on the muscles. The Surfshapes takes a little more getting used to and feels like it wanders a bit at first. After a couple of minutes though it feels fine and I don't think it wanders at all. However, I don't feel I can dig it in and power into waves. It has to be more of a quick paddle stroke style, but I don't feel so buggered after a session. Still, I like to use the Surfshapes when the waves are bigger and have a bit more push. I should mention that Rod makes three blade sizes and mine is the middle size, so his larger paddle may give that power feeling. I'm just trying to work out why each paddle behaves like it does. Is it the shape or is it the blade angle? And if it's both what design parameter produces what effect? It would certainly be good to hear Woodgies or Rods thoughts.

As Piros says the angled blade gives better catch at the front of the stroke.

The current wisdom is that you do all your stroking out the front and you have to lift the paddle about level with your feet. If you continue the stroke behind you they say you are pushing water upwards and also using smaller and less powerful muscles.

My Starboard paddle is quite wide and stiff. It's great for paddling along but in the surf it feels really hard. I dig in and pull hard and nothing really happens. Top speed is great but acceleration takes a lot of muscle. It's much better to start early with a series of short paddles building up to power stokes as the wave lifts.

With DJ's narrow Methane the paddle rips easily through the water and acceleration is immediate if top speed is less.

There are two real concerns using a wide paddle:
- Late takeoffs are harder because of the slow acceleration.
- There's a risk of injury with the greater leverage exerted by the paddle on shoulders and lower back

Hey Zimbo

Check out my gorgeous Kiakaha paddle!

Can't help with price as it was a surprise birthday present from husband. I am stoked with the colours and the graphics!

Here's my favourite .... "Blue Spagetti"

Kia Kaha Paddles has a new agent in WA

Welcome to the Kia Kaha Team Mike

Mollydooka

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