In this second SUPboarder Pro test for 2021 we are testing 10 all round carbon 3pc paddles. With many of us owning iSUPs and wanting to use stiffer, lighter and more performance 3pc paddles this test was interesting to see what a selection of brands have to offer.
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Kurt
3 years ago
Great review – well explained and very conclusive. I like my Enduro for wave and travelling. For fast touring and long distance the Lima is better. Starboard offers it with a stiff 27,5 mm shaft, awsome combination. Did you ever tried Quickblade Trifecta or V-Drive? They are on the same Level as the latest ´21 Starboard Range. Thx and cheers.
Hey Kurt, Thanks for your feedback, and glad you enjoyed the test. Unfortunately we couldn’t get Quickblade to respond to any of our emails … we really wanted one in the test too. We even tried to buy one, but there was no availability 🙁 We will keep trying and hopefully we can try one and report back soon! Happy Paddling
Matt Brookes
3 years ago
Hey guys, really enjoyed the review and glad my paddle area-measuring idea was helpful (although quoting cm2 to 2 decimal places is probably stretching the technique a bit statistically!) Would be good to see the advertised paddle area against the measured though, which manufacturers are closest to the ‘real’ area and were there any surprises (like my Enduro being bigger than my Quickblade despite being advertised as 10% smaller)? Grip would be another interesting metric. One final thing, I hope you have some paddling clothing reviews coming up soon, Beau looked like he was paddling to school in the 1950s… Read more »
Hey Matt – yes the paddle area measurement technique was really good and thanks for your suggestion on it. Yes, certainly too many decimal places on that one which we picked up on, but unfortunately it had already been filmed by the time we picked up on it so it was too late :-/ Yes, I think you are right on showing stated sizes vs. measured sizes for comparison – certainly one for next time we do a paddle test. And yes, Grip would be a great point to cover. Keep the ideas coming – we love to learn how… Read more »
Hey Will, one option would be to add another table showing measured versus advertised area and % difference – I think you’ve provided all the info (clicking on the individual paddles seems to show advertised area) but it would be really helpful to see it summarised in one place, and also help drive industry standardisation in how they measure blade area.
surfthemac
3 years ago
Hi, thank you very much for the compelling test. One thing I was still asking myself: what is the right blade size for me? As an example I really like the results shown for the Starboard Enduro, but was asking myself vs the M sie (tested version) or L blade size would be the better fit. I sup mostly in waves and weight 70kg, but want to accelerate as fast as possible. Any thoughts on ideal blade size(s)?
I would not go for the L blade at your weight. Im 75kg and I use a M blade size. But I do know some riders that are around our weight and they use a S blade size too (for the surf). But I prefer the M because I can pull a bit more power into my stroke. Sounds like this is what you want to? What is the main discipline you want to do with your paddle?
hiya 🙂 , fully agree with Reuben about Not going for the L size.
I am one of those riders around the 75kg who uses the small blade, But!! this is just for Sup surfing, as the constant hard acceleration hurts my elbows with bigger blades. Bearing in mind i dont live near the surf, so when i go it’s normally for a full non stop weekend.
My normal paddle is a M blade Lima on an Oval S40 shaft, used for everything from mucking about to long distance paddles
Good review & really good you included the water intake from immersion section. My current 2 piece takes on a lot of water & I regularly have to empty otherwise you can feel the added weight (obviously I shouldn’t fall off as much). I am looking at getting a 1 piece carbon so have been waiting for this review – but I’m frustrated by a lack of availability in the UK (no black project lava or surge, no starboard enduro 1 piece etc..).. For the review I hoped you were going to have. Best for surf, best for touring, best… Read more »
Thanks for your comment and glad you found the review informative. Getting hold of paddles is always struggle especially this year it seems. As far as best surf touring and all-round paddle is concerned. For me personally and also talking about three-piece paddles in the test. I would rate the Starboard as the best surf paddle. And the Lava and the JP as better all round touring paddles. The only reason is, I feel there is a bit more support with the Starboard and I am much sloppier with my paddle strokes when surfing.
I have just ordered a BP Surge 🙂 – hoping to get my hands on it v soon. I’d love to know your views on paddle blade edge protection (tape, guards etc.). I’ve always used electrical tape but don’t like the waste it creates & fragments can be lost to the ocean (which is not good at all). I don’t want anything that creates a bump on the edge (like a piping shaped guard) as that seems pointless as it ruins the design / effort the manufacturer has put in to make a perfect paddle.. thanks
Good question. I personally do not believe in it either for many reasons like you are saying. Generally paddle strikes only happen when a paddler is not putting the paddle far enough into the water. And there is only a very small point of contact where the board can potentially hit the paddle when the paddle is going in the water. I would just encourage people to focus on thinking about their panel entry and paddling efficiently during the stroke by keeping their blade nice and deep and then paddle strikes really should stop occurring. There is always a potential… Read more »
That’s interesting you say that about the blade strike being only when you catch/ place the blade. I’ve been using a mouth high paddle & have been thinking that is too short – so have ordered the surge at head high, so I can cut down of necessary- but maybe that will help improve my paddle stroke as I place the blade. I really only surf – so there are potential impact moments of blade on the board when it all goes wrong 🙂
Yeah let us know how you get on. For me its eyebrow hight
jonathan Hebert
3 years ago
hi guys, i was just wondering, as a mate asked me.. The Starboard range of paddles come in different flex’s So .. if i got a 29mm S40 and a 26mm S40, have they made them so they both flex the correct 40mm, or would the thinner 26mm flex more because its thinner?
O yes this is a very good question and something I will bring up with starboard for sure. But at a guess they would not feel the same. It would just mean the the S40 would be the stiffest in each different thickness shaft. So a 26mm and 29mm S40 would feel very different! I might eat my words but I will find out and get back on here when I know
Hi – thanks for the review. Can I ask if you tried the Kialoa Hulu?
I would like an adjustable touring – race blade. Adjustable so I can swap boards and paddling style.
But how do the specific race blade shapes compare to general blades? Ease of paddling? Are they harder on the back/shoulders? I have only used a Fanatic 80.
Hey Jay, Race paddles do work well as general paddles overall. I was paddling a Starboard lima in the passed and it work well for all paddling. Its only surf where I use a smaller blade and shorter shaft. I think a good race paddle can easily be a good touring paddle as well.
TBH Jay I don’t your paddle stoke has to change that much. The biggest thing is the reach you get with the paddle. Which paddle are you asking about? The kialoa?
rickcadger
2 years ago
The BP Lava you tested – was that their large blade size or their medium? The area you measured falls between their published dimensions for the two sizes.
Hi there, Thanks for a great review! Would you recommend any of these for someone looking into getting into racing but not wanting to have a ton of different paddles (if I want to go touring or just for a casual paddle)? Andaman? Or would you suggest an entirely different choice of paddles? 72 kg if that’s helpful. Thanks!
Hey Tatjana. I got back to your other comment but I and think the Starboard Enduro would be good. OR TBH the Andaman, JP, Black project they are all really nice paddles, that will work well doing lots of different paddling. If you don’t need a 3 pc paddle a 2 pc will give a bit more performance.
Thank you guys, your videos are always so informative (although you could have saved few minutes of your and our time not reading all the numbers that were displayed there anyway 😉 ). I would like to ask about the Puravida K3 paddle – where would it sit in the test? After watching your touring boards comparison I am very strongly considering buying the Quroc board where the Puravida paddle is in the package. I plan to upgrade from allround AquaMarina board with a basic aluminium paddle, so I guess any carbon paddle will be a big change, but I… Read more »
Hey Marek , Yeah sorry about that. We are still trying to get these big tests right.. Anyway the Quroc Puravida paddle is a great paddle and tBH it would of been right up-there. Blade shape isn’t as good as top players like Starboard ,Black Project, JP , Blackfish but the overall paddle and fittings are great and for the price with a package its really good! I would be happy to have that as my touring paddle for sure. I guess the only thing a would say is the blade probably isn’t as strong for tacking river knocks as… Read more »
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Great review – well explained and very conclusive. I like my Enduro for wave and travelling. For fast touring and long distance the Lima is better. Starboard offers it with a stiff 27,5 mm shaft, awsome combination.
Did you ever tried Quickblade Trifecta or V-Drive? They are on the same Level as the latest ´21 Starboard Range. Thx and cheers.
Hey Kurt, Thanks for your feedback, and glad you enjoyed the test. Unfortunately we couldn’t get Quickblade to respond to any of our emails … we really wanted one in the test too. We even tried to buy one, but there was no availability 🙁 We will keep trying and hopefully we can try one and report back soon! Happy Paddling
Hey guys, really enjoyed the review and glad my paddle area-measuring idea was helpful (although quoting cm2 to 2 decimal places is probably stretching the technique a bit statistically!) Would be good to see the advertised paddle area against the measured though, which manufacturers are closest to the ‘real’ area and were there any surprises (like my Enduro being bigger than my Quickblade despite being advertised as 10% smaller)? Grip would be another interesting metric. One final thing, I hope you have some paddling clothing reviews coming up soon, Beau looked like he was paddling to school in the 1950s… Read more »
Hey Matt – yes the paddle area measurement technique was really good and thanks for your suggestion on it. Yes, certainly too many decimal places on that one which we picked up on, but unfortunately it had already been filmed by the time we picked up on it so it was too late :-/ Yes, I think you are right on showing stated sizes vs. measured sizes for comparison – certainly one for next time we do a paddle test. And yes, Grip would be a great point to cover. Keep the ideas coming – we love to learn how… Read more »
Hey Will, one option would be to add another table showing measured versus advertised area and % difference – I think you’ve provided all the info (clicking on the individual paddles seems to show advertised area) but it would be really helpful to see it summarised in one place, and also help drive industry standardisation in how they measure blade area.
Hi, thank you very much for the compelling test. One thing I was still asking myself: what is the right blade size for me? As an example I really like the results shown for the Starboard Enduro, but was asking myself vs the M sie (tested version) or L blade size would be the better fit. I sup mostly in waves and weight 70kg, but want to accelerate as fast as possible. Any thoughts on ideal blade size(s)?
I would not go for the L blade at your weight. Im 75kg and I use a M blade size. But I do know some riders that are around our weight and they use a S blade size too (for the surf).
But I prefer the M because I can pull a bit more power into my stroke. Sounds like this is what you want to? What is the main discipline you want to do with your paddle?
hiya 🙂 , fully agree with Reuben about Not going for the L size.
I am one of those riders around the 75kg who uses the small blade, But!! this is just for Sup surfing, as the constant hard acceleration hurts my elbows with bigger blades.
Bearing in mind i dont live near the surf, so when i go it’s normally for a full non stop weekend.
My normal paddle is a M blade Lima on an Oval S40 shaft, used for everything from mucking about to long distance paddles
Good comment and feedback Jonny.
great review as always 🙂 , my friend loves her Naish Alana for all types of paddling from mucking about to racing , she is sub 60kg though
Thanks for the feedback Jonny.
Good review & really good you included the water intake from immersion section. My current 2 piece takes on a lot of water & I regularly have to empty otherwise you can feel the added weight (obviously I shouldn’t fall off as much). I am looking at getting a 1 piece carbon so have been waiting for this review – but I’m frustrated by a lack of availability in the UK (no black project lava or surge, no starboard enduro 1 piece etc..).. For the review I hoped you were going to have. Best for surf, best for touring, best… Read more »
Thanks for your comment and glad you found the review informative. Getting hold of paddles is always struggle especially this year it seems. As far as best surf touring and all-round paddle is concerned. For me personally and also talking about three-piece paddles in the test. I would rate the Starboard as the best surf paddle. And the Lava and the JP as better all round touring paddles. The only reason is, I feel there is a bit more support with the Starboard and I am much sloppier with my paddle strokes when surfing.
I have just ordered a BP Surge 🙂 – hoping to get my hands on it v soon. I’d love to know your views on paddle blade edge protection (tape, guards etc.). I’ve always used electrical tape but don’t like the waste it creates & fragments can be lost to the ocean (which is not good at all). I don’t want anything that creates a bump on the edge (like a piping shaped guard) as that seems pointless as it ruins the design / effort the manufacturer has put in to make a perfect paddle.. thanks
Good question. I personally do not believe in it either for many reasons like you are saying. Generally paddle strikes only happen when a paddler is not putting the paddle far enough into the water. And there is only a very small point of contact where the board can potentially hit the paddle when the paddle is going in the water. I would just encourage people to focus on thinking about their panel entry and paddling efficiently during the stroke by keeping their blade nice and deep and then paddle strikes really should stop occurring. There is always a potential… Read more »
That’s interesting you say that about the blade strike being only when you catch/ place the blade. I’ve been using a mouth high paddle & have been thinking that is too short – so have ordered the surge at head high, so I can cut down of necessary- but maybe that will help improve my paddle stroke as I place the blade. I really only surf – so there are potential impact moments of blade on the board when it all goes wrong 🙂
Yeah let us know how you get on. For me its eyebrow hight
hi guys, i was just wondering, as a mate asked me..
The Starboard range of paddles come in different flex’s
So .. if i got a 29mm S40 and a 26mm S40, have they made them so they both flex the correct 40mm,
or would the thinner 26mm flex more because its thinner?
O yes this is a very good question and something I will bring up with starboard for sure. But at a guess they would not feel the same. It would just mean the the S40 would be the stiffest in each different thickness shaft. So a 26mm and 29mm S40 would feel very different!
I might eat my words but I will find out and get back on here when I know
cheers Reuben
Hi – thanks for the review. Can I ask if you tried the Kialoa Hulu?
I would like an adjustable touring – race blade. Adjustable so I can swap boards and paddling style.
But how do the specific race blade shapes compare to general blades? Ease of paddling? Are they harder on the back/shoulders? I have only used a Fanatic 80.
Thanks!
Hey Jay, Race paddles do work well as general paddles overall. I was paddling a Starboard lima in the passed and it work well for all paddling. Its only surf where I use a smaller blade and shorter shaft. I think a good race paddle can easily be a good touring paddle as well.
And sorry no i haven’t used the Hulu.. But I have an older Kialoa and its a nice paddle.
Hi Reuben, thanks for your reply. How different does an 8 degree rake feel? Does it demand a shorter shaft/lower paddling stance? Thanks, Jay
TBH Jay I don’t your paddle stoke has to change that much. The biggest thing is the reach you get with the paddle. Which paddle are you asking about? The kialoa?
The BP Lava you tested – was that their large blade size or their medium? The area you measured falls between their published dimensions for the two sizes.
Thanks.
Hey Rick. That was a large blade. We ideally would of got a M to test but they were out of stock at the time.
Thanks for that, Reuben.
I’m 90kg and do mostly light touring on the sea in Cornwall. No high cadence or bursts of acceleration so the large will probably be good for me.
Yeah go for the large for sure. It will be perfect for you.
Cool. Appreciate the input. I just ordered one.:)
Hi there, Thanks for a great review! Would you recommend any of these for someone looking into getting into racing but not wanting to have a ton of different paddles (if I want to go touring or just for a casual paddle)? Andaman? Or would you suggest an entirely different choice of paddles? 72 kg if that’s helpful. Thanks!
Hey Tatjana. I got back to your other comment but I and think the Starboard Enduro would be good. OR TBH the Andaman, JP, Black project they are all really nice paddles, that will work well doing lots of different paddling. If you don’t need a 3 pc paddle a 2 pc will give a bit more performance.
Thank you very much!
Thank you guys, your videos are always so informative (although you could have saved few minutes of your and our time not reading all the numbers that were displayed there anyway 😉 ). I would like to ask about the Puravida K3 paddle – where would it sit in the test? After watching your touring boards comparison I am very strongly considering buying the Quroc board where the Puravida paddle is in the package. I plan to upgrade from allround AquaMarina board with a basic aluminium paddle, so I guess any carbon paddle will be a big change, but I… Read more »
Hey Marek , Yeah sorry about that. We are still trying to get these big tests right.. Anyway the Quroc Puravida paddle is a great paddle and tBH it would of been right up-there. Blade shape isn’t as good as top players like Starboard ,Black Project, JP , Blackfish but the overall paddle and fittings are great and for the price with a package its really good! I would be happy to have that as my touring paddle for sure. I guess the only thing a would say is the blade probably isn’t as strong for tacking river knocks as… Read more »
Great, thank you!