Hi. I'm after a new paddle and looks like I'm gonna get a ke nalu paddle. There's a few different sizes. I'm 72 kg and only surf. I'm thinking a wiki 74 or is that too small? And there's two different shafts xtuf and xtuf (s) . What is best? are these paddles good tough paddles?

Cheers dude how long did they last b4 letting in water. And was they repairable?

So it was just the glue that failed? I have been looking at a quick blade and the kialoa aswel. The kialoa is so expensive tho.lol

Although some people will tell you otherwise, hot glue isn't really ideal for a marine environment. So make sure that the joints are well insulated if you use hot glue (as I do). I seal the shaft/handle connection with black nail polish and then put a couple of layers of electrical tape over the joint too.

Andrewrees said..
Hi. I'm after a new paddle and looks like I'm gonna get a ke nalu paddle. There's a few different sizes. I'm 72 kg and only surf. I'm thinking a wiki 74 or is that too small? And there's two different shafts xtuf and xtuf (s) . What is best? are these paddles good tough paddles?

Go for the Wiki 74 particularly if you are surfing small low volume boards.
With the small blade definitely go for the xTuf shaft.....unless you are really tall or prefer a stiff shaft.
The smaller blade doesn't load up the shaft as much so you need the softer shaft to maintain some flex.
Quite a few of the Ke Nalu team guys are using the Wiki 74 now.

I'm around 80 kegs and use the Wiki 74 on my 7'4" & 8'0" 94 litre boards but use a Ho'oloa 84 on my 10'1" 114 litre longboard.
Smaller blades are sooooo much easier on your body!

Water leaks are only due to poor assembly.
If you work plenty of glue into the joint, get a good glue bead to seal it and apply a couple of wraps of electrical tape while the glue is still really hot (kinda works like shrink wrap) you'll have no problems for years.
If you do happen to get water in your paddle, simply reheat either end of the shaft and remove blade / handle (preferably the end that is leaking) and reglue it.
Check out the paddle assembly vid

Cam Gillies said...
Hey Dean,

Looks like the Wiki 74 isn't on the website?? Or am I a dumbarse and missed it.....
I'm thinking of going down the ke nalu path and was wanting to buy online due to no retail outlet close by, I'm in Southwest Victoria

G'day Cam
Website upgrade is happening soon and will include a few goodies that aren't currently on there.
The Wiki 74 is available in Elite (full carbon) and xTuf (fibreglass with carbon face and full blade graphic on the back).
If you haven't got a retailer nearby, shoot us an email at
[email protected]
with the details of what you're after and we'll get ya sorted.

Deano72 said..

Cam Gillies said...
Hey Dean,

Looks like the Wiki 74 isn't on the website?? Or am I a dumbarse and missed it.....
I'm thinking of going down the ke nalu path and was wanting to buy online due to no retail outlet close by, I'm in Southwest Victoria

G'day Cam
Website upgrade is happening soon and will include a few goodies that aren't currently on there.
The Wiki 74 is available in Elite (full carbon) and xTuf (fibreglass with carbon face and full blade graphic on the back).
If you haven't got a retailer nearby, shoot us an email at
[email protected]
with the details of what you're after and we'll get ya sorted.

Cheers mate, sent you an email

As above, to get the loading effect happening from the stiffer and more powerful Xtuff(s) shafts, it is better to go to the mid sized Maliko. If want to take things slower and start with the Wiki, at least it is interchangeable?

A lot of the guys using the really small blades have them on stiff pure carbon shafts, mostly for racing. The Xtuff controlled flex then rebound is a totally different thing, which is also much easier on the shoulders etc. A decent sized blade really works this action. Surfing, if you can get it happening you won't look back.

Biggest thing is to not be scared to give the paddle a bit. Load the shaft right up till you get that spring . Again, perfect for short bursts taking off and getting out.

It's really a matter of getting out and playing around with how it works.

tightlines said...

surfershaneA said..
Not going into the leaking (today? )

The stiffer of the Xtuff are really nice for surfing. You can get a lot out of the spring/rebound. In comparison, the stiff full carbon shafts can feel "boring". Given the punishment it has coped, mine has well and truly passed the durability test.

Unlike others, I like the bigger blades. With the bit of flex for cushion and then rebound you get with the Xtuff shaft, you can generate a lot of power - fast - without tearing muscles or connective tissue. Great for take-offs and getting over waves.

At 85kg I have the old mid sized blade. I would happily upgrade to the biggest. I feel you need that bigger blade to generate the full potential out of the Xtuff shaft.

Have you tried a smaller KeNalu surfershaneA?
You might be surprised.
Everyone is different but I am 90kg and used to use the 95 Maliko on an Xtuff shaft, now I pretty much exclusively use the 84's either Wiki, Ho'oloa or Konihi, all on xtuff or xtuff (s) shafts for surfing, racing or downwinding and find that it can generate enough power to load up the shaft and slingshot onto a wave.
I have gone back and tried my 95 a few times, particularly down winding, but find I am happier with the 84 now.

IMO there is no need to go to anything bigger and for someone 72kg for surfing my recommendation would be a 74 wiki and an xtuff.
I want to try one myself.
If you were going to do some down winding I might consider an 84.

Maybe I am a bit of a gorilla (reasonably lean 85 kg)? Oh, and a youngster I did a bit of powerlifting and Olympic style weightlifting. I am not afraid to rely on that anaerobic power-base.

Surfing, when I go back to my smaller bladed full carbon paddle and it feels bloody horrible. The blade is too small and the full carbon shaft feels as dead as broomstick!

Granted, when I was researching my paddle purchase on here and The Zone, everyone recommended the smaller blades with the Xtuff. It was only a couple of posts that convinced me to go half way. I am glad I did. You can put so much pressure on those shafts for equivalent returns. Next time I am serious about the biggest blade.

As above, good thing is either way you go the blades are interchangeable. Big thing is to get out there and learn to make that spring work for you????