Which way are people going now for race boards. Longer narrower paddles or sticking with the more tear drop shape? I see a fanatic Naish starboard and one QB paddle all going narrower blades but a few dedicated paddle brands still holding with the more traditional shape blades. Also full carbon shafts are they a thing of the past? Is flex in a shaft what you want now? Full carbon is powerful but not forgiving on the average joe paddlers shoulders. What's people's general consensus on what's better in a paddle these days?
IMO.. Carbon shafts.. Smaller blades.. and shorter paddles.
Welcome to the Breeze.. 
DJ
im with DJ but not on length of paddles...+ it looks stupid when guys are bent over that much they look like a giraffe having a drink,i know its probably the better style for racing,just hope it stays out of surfing.
You got to remember its not the length of the blade that makes you bend over. Its poor technique. I surf with a paddle 3 inches shorter then me and stay quite upright....
Select to expand quotepetedorries said..
You got to remember its not the length of the blade that makes you bend over. Its poor technique. I surf with a paddle 3 inches shorter then me and stay quite upright....
So how much longer is your race paddle?
Hmmm...come on guys the sport like any other is evolving. The type of material that will be used is something which is ever changing and as has been pointed out flex has become something of an issue so of course you would expect manufacturers to look into this. I know that some will suggest that is driven purely by economics but I would insert my own narrative here and suggest that perhaps the need to create paddles which are user friendly for the long time is what is driving the change. Clearly technique is being modified as well with the sport becoming more and more professional so why not change with the times?
Cheers Ozzie
You can get a shaft as flexy or stiff as you want with carbon.
Its one of the very few materials that gives a lot of form freedom by a low weight...
So what size blade are people using? Is kai really using he LE blade at 95sq that's been sold in the shops? He's tiny surely he would be quicker with a blade under 90sq , I would think anyone under 100kg could get away with a 90sq blade and pick up cadence a little and still be quicker than a 100sq blade. ??? But how small can you go is 83sq to small for someone say 80kg or more to be of optimal use?
Select to expand quoteghost4man said..
Hmmm...come on guys the sport like any other is evolving. The type of material that will be used is something which is ever changing and as has been pointed out flex has become something of an issue so of course you would expect manufacturers to look into this. I know that some will suggest that is driven purely by economics but I would insert my own narrative here and suggest that perhaps the need to create paddles which are user friendly for the long time is what is driving the change. Clearly technique is being modified as well with the sport becoming more and more professional so why not change with the times?
Cheers Ozzie
yep good call
Select to expand quotepetedorries said..ghost4man said..
Hmmm...come on guys the sport like any other is evolving. The type of material that will be used is something which is ever changing and as has been pointed out flex has become something of an issue so of course you would expect manufacturers to look into this. I know that some will suggest that is driven purely by economics but I would insert my own narrative here and suggest that perhaps the need to create paddles which are user friendly for the long time is what is driving the change. Clearly technique is being modified as well with the sport becoming more and more professional so why not change with the times?
Cheers Ozzie
yep good call
And its up to the individual when it comes to shaft stiffness (gee that sounds bad)
Some like flex some don't. Find and use what works for you.
Small blades are great with good technique (are you sick of hearing that) My race paddle is 6 inches above my height (Approximately)
That's what I think Pete, a smaller blade will encourage correct technique which once honed in on speed will then come
Can anyone shed any light to what size blades the leading Aussie guys are using
ie jake Jensen , jacko , Travis ,
Select to expand quotesupallday said..
So what size blade are people using? Is kai really using he LE blade at 95sq that's been sold in the shops? He's tiny surely he would be quicker with a blade under 90sq , I would think anyone under 100kg could get away with a 90sq blade and pick up cadence a little and still be quicker than a 100sq blade. ??? But how small can you go is 83sq to small for someone say 80kg or more to be of optimal use?
I think blade size depends on your weight, level of fitness, strength(bodytype) and age.
I,m 39y old and 90kg, fairly fit and pretty strong. I race a lot with competetive 70kg guys who are 24-25y old. We all use a 90 blade.
No matter how hard I train, they got:
A: better weight to blade ratio.
B: can padle a higher cadence being able to get in a higher heartrate zone due the age difference.
Playing there game i,m gonna lose no matter what.
But i,m pretty sure i,m stronger as they are.
So i,m gonna try a 100 blade that I can paddle in a only slightly lower cadence as the lightweights and youngsters that I hope is fitting more to me.
Being almost twice as old as Kay Lenny and Connor and probably weight a 33% more It doesnt make sense to me to use exact the same gear as they do, the difference is too big.
Not sure if its gonna work out, but its worth trying :)
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..supallday said..
So what size blade are people using? Is kai really using he LE blade at 95sq that's been sold in the shops? He's tiny surely he would be quicker with a blade under 90sq , I would think anyone under 100kg could get away with a 90sq blade and pick up cadence a little and still be quicker than a 100sq blade. ??? But how small can you go is 83sq to small for someone say 80kg or more to be of optimal use?
I think blade size depends on your weight, level of fitness, strength(bodytype) and age.
I,m 39y old and 90kg, fairly fit and pretty strong. I race a lot with competetive 70kg guys who are 24-25y old. We all use a 90 blade.
No matter how hard I train, they got:A: better weight to blade ratio.
B: can padle a higher cadence being able to get in a higher heartrate zone due the age difference.
Playing there game i,m gonna lose no matter what.
But i,m pretty sure i,m stronger as they are.
So i,m gonna try a 100 blade that I can paddle in a only slightly lower cadence as the lightweights and youngsters that I hope is fitting more to me.
Being almost twice as old as Kay Lenny and Connor and probably weight a 33% more It doesnt make sense to me to use exact the same gear as they do, the difference is too big.
Not sure if its gonna work out, but its worth trying :)
Ive just switched from the 100qb to the fanatic paddle and i find it much better , the 100 was blowing me up really quickly , i find with the smaller blade i can keep pace for far longer and still put down power when you need too.Still trying to work out whats best for me as far as length goes , currently my shaft is quite long 
Probably too long , but i dont like paddling bent over to much and i still rekon the longer the lever the better leverage = greater power.
Select to expand quotesupallday said..
That's what I think Pete, a smaller blade will encourage correct technique which once honed in on speed will then comeSelect to expand quotepetedorries said..petedorries said..ghost4man said..
Hmmm...come on guys the sport like any other is evolving. The type of material that will be used is something which is ever changing and as has been pointed out flex has become something of an issue so of course you would expect manufacturers to look into this. I know that some will suggest that is driven purely by economics but I would insert my own narrative here and suggest that perhaps the need to create paddles which are user friendly for the long time is what is driving the change. Clearly technique is being modified as well with the sport becoming more and more professional so why not change with the times?
Cheers Ozzie
yep good call
And its up to the individual when it comes to shaft stiffness (gee that sounds bad)
Some like flex some don't. Find and use what works for you.
Small blades are great with good technique (are you sick of hearing that) My race paddle is 6 inches above my height (Approximately)
I agree with Pete. It's not the stiffness of the shaft that counts but what you do with it. I think that's why Pete is giving so many lessons.
