I bought a couple of paddles off Dc
good price flexible shaft so no shoulder problems and smallish blade
I cant say a bad thing about them had them for a year

I have had a C4 paddle for around 4 years. This paddle has been bullet proof, I leave it in my hot car always and have never treated it nicely.

About 3 months ago I snapped the blade off hitting a shallow sand bank. It probably broke due to being in a hot car for 4 years!!

Luckily for me the top of the paddle that I cut off when new was a perfect fit inside of the blade and also the shaft at the joining point on the bottom. I drilled out the PVC Core of the paddle epoxied the shaft in to blade and shaft, wrapped some carbon strand around the gap in the join and then wrapped the join in Carbon fibre 6 oz and epoxy and she is good as new, probably much stronger than new actually.

got a Quickblade about a month ago it's copped a bit of abuse and held up fine so far. Its super light and has heaps of tourque, did lots of flat water paddling with it over easter and a fair bit of surfing and has been great for both options.
I'm loving it!!

Dr Funk said...

So I've managed to snap 2 paddles of the same brand in 18 months. one while surfing and one while doing interval training on flat water. I am not getting that brand again even though I really like their blades I cant afford to keep going through them so whats a decent, light, strong paddle?

I can understand the surf breakage, but flat water? have you spoken to the manufacturer?
I remember seeing a clip on qb paddles and them talking about replacement if broken with no fault of rider.( I use kiakaha ) so no pimp for qb

IMO.. Breaking paddles is not always about brands or how strong you are.

These carbon shafts need to be looked after and checked every now and then for anything like this.. (see pics)

This fracture looks obvious in these pics but it took a few attempts to show it because in different light and the way carbon reflects they are often very hard to see.

They are often caused by dropping or banging them while out of the water or against the board during a fall in the water.

Sam from Kialoa was telling me once that Mel Pu'u still has his original Shaka Pu'u from years ago and uses it all the time..and you don't get much stronger than him.

DJ

Dr Funk said...

So I've managed to snap 2 paddles of the same brand in 18 months. one while surfing and one while doing interval training on flat water. I am not getting that brand again even though I really like their blades I cant afford to keep going through them so whats a decent, light, strong paddle?

Did you break the shaft or blade ? If it was the shaft what was the construction of it ? Ie roll wrapped / Filament wound / wet out braided sock ? where did the break occur along the shaft ? if you still have the parts you could repair or replace and strengthen at the same time .

qb You get what you pay for.
i have hammered this paddle in all situations even buried it into the sand at the Lake runners still strong felt the flex but thankyou she didnt show any elements of fatigue.
enjoy