Hi Gooch... First I'm a bit embarrassed that you singled me out to answer your question because there's others here that know more and I'm not really an expert about all this..but I'm happy to give you my opinion.

I think a good carbon paddle is worth the investment even at an early stage..A good paddle will last you forever and even though you may change boards your paddle will stay with you and fit like a glove.. I also think that you wont bang the board rails as much with a good light paddle.

I like Kialoa and rave about them probably because I bought one myself and maybe if I had bought a Werner I'd be raving about them.

I was about to buy a Werner but after feeling the shape of the Kialoa shaft and also reading heaps from others that I consider as experts I thought I'd take a gamble on the Kialoa..and I'm so glad that I did.

Once I got used to the Kialoa (the odd shaft shape and the springy feel) no other paddle feels as good to me.. The next best feeling paddle for me is the Werner but the shaft is more rounded and I'm also now used to the Kialoa T grip.

I have to admit that the other day I swapped with Paul (from SHQ) and his Werner with the new style ergo T grip it did feel very good.The Naish carbon is a great paddle but no where near as light as the Kialoa and the shaft feels fat and it has a slightly dead feel compared to the springy Kialoa.

The Starboard paddle has a nice soft feel but again no spring like the Kialoa.

Both Naish and Starboard have the ergo palm T grip and I'm not a big fan of that shape anymore..The T grip offers much more blade control and I feel like I have to used more energy and gripping strength with the palm grip.. The last time I used my Naish was in the surf and I felt like it was wanting to twist in my hand no matter how hard I gripped it.

Here in Melbourne I think the Naish is about $395..the Werner is about $450 and the Kialoa is about $495... I've heard that some shops are selling the Kialoa for the same price as the Werner but I don't know who.. I'd love to see Kialoa drop their price because I'm sure a lot of people will buy the Werner because it's that little bit cheaper.

I think if you're going to pay $450 you should fork out the little extra for the Kialoa and I'm sure down the track you will agree.

Naish also have a great new paddle coming and I can't wait to check it out.

The C4 is another great paddle but no one here is selling them and they are a bit stiff feeling after using the Kialoa...They're still a great paddle imo.

I have two Kialoa paddles now.. the Nalu (about 108 sq inches) and the Shaka Pu'u (about 100 sq inches)..with all the talk about smaller blade sizes lately I've been experimenting.

I found that I could not paddle very fast with the bigger blade but with the smaller (Shaka Pu'u) it was noticeably easier..but even with the smaller Shaka Pu'u it was hard to paddle fast and deep without feeling like I'm getting pulled off the board.

Sam from Kialoa is sending me the new smaller Methane to take down to Torquay on the 18th for people to demo and I can't wait to try it myself.. I think if the blade gets too small you will feel it and you will be able to overpower it when pushing it hard.

I know I'm starting to crap on a bit here but your last question is a doosey.. I first thought a smaller blade to the surf and a larger for distance was the go..but it seems that the smaller blades are also better for distance..even for the big guys.

I do a lot of cruising along at a casual pace and the bigger blade is great for that..but if you want to up your paddle speed (cadence) I think the bigger blade will let you down.

Hope all this helps..I reckon the Kialoa Shaka Pu'u (or Methane) is the best of those paddles that I've used followed by Werner and C4.

Thanks for you complement about my past reviews and yes I am passionate about SUP for sure and learning all the time..I may know more than some but I'm certainly no expert.

I loved watching Stuey's new vid because I love the way Woogie paddles.. I think he has a great technique I think I will be trying to paddle the same.

DJ

Years of paddling with a single bladed paddle in his hand - Also a great functional paddle which is the Kia Kaha 8' soon to be released in Australia.

He uses the basic principle of paddling which is a good plant and pull yourself to the plant.

I just came across these pictures of the new Werner paddle comparing it with the Kialoa..

It looks interesting.. I wonder how long before we see them down under?

DJ

The new Werner paddles are fiberglass and will be cheaper than the full carbon Spanker. It wouldn't surprise me if they turned out to be very durable and a viable alternative to the cheap carbon paddles. My fiberglass surf ski paddle is about 6 years old and the edges are all chewed up from bashing the sides of the ski, but it still works fine.

oliver said...
Can we get a Kia Kaha in Melbourne - don't think I've seen them here.

Short Story - NO

Long Story - we are trying to find the speciality shops that will be interested. We are a small business that was the first to make SUP Paddles locally - we are trying to give back to the sport by keeping cost down and providing safe races or contacts to races.

The only way we can make it cheaper is by finding specific shops that are happy with the 30% mark up or you can buy direct.

You can also make a cheap paddle look nice - the New Fibre glass Werner does not look nice.

Check out the Kia Kaha new All Glass paddles RRP $280.00. These are designed with the novice paddle in mind as they have more flex on the shaft reducing joint and muscle injuries.

interesting curve on the werner paddle,,, is that to give the small blade more power

Goochi said...

Hi DJ

If anyone can freight a Kailoa or Werner to WA cheaply I would be interested or any 2nd hand carbon paddles for I tall bloke (I'm 6'3").

Cheers

Gooch

Hey Gooch - Kia Kaha have got a couple of 2nd paddles available - $300.00 and freight to WA I would cost out at $55.

Our seconds are factory seconds which just means Woogie was not happy as there were resin bleed throughs and they have a few bubbles which have been fixed - I have two available now if interest and can package up for you and send tomorrow.

If you want a photo I can also get one for you and send it through both paddles are black the longest one I have is 2m 11cm if you need me to work that our in " I can do so. This paddle has a Carbon Kevlar shaft which what Rob has been saying on Jake snapped paddle post is a little more durable than Just carbon.

would be happy to help you out

Im glad my Starboard 11'2 is going to be in good hands Gooch.
Keep in touch so we can go for a paddle together some time.
Get the kids on it and explore the reefs that run along the coast on a nice warm summers day.
That board is any amazing shape and has so much versatility.
I cant wait to get my new Starboard 11'2.
THE ULTIMATE BLEND

DavidJohn said...

Thanks Gooch... ...and congrats on the new board.. The 11'2" Starboard is a great board.. You'll love it I'm sure.

If you're about my height I would guess that you need a paddle about 84-86" long..IMO.

It's a shame that they don't sell the Kia Kaha paddles here (Melbourne) ..I'd love to check one out.

DJ

You can always come direct - you get a better price that way.

This is a photo I took for Greg -

Paddle details - it is a factory 2nd

9.5 Wide
17" Length
8 degree angle

Carbon Kevlar shaft

This is a 2nd due to the bubbles along the side which have been repaired.

Hi Jodie
thanks for the info. The paddle looks good. I think 2m 11 might be too small for me. I am 191cm and my eye height is about 178cm.
what do you guys think?

Cheers

Gooch

Goochi said...

Hi Jodie
thanks for the info. The paddle looks good. I think 2m 11 might be too small for me. I am 191cm and my eye height is about 178cm.
what do you guys think?

Cheers

Gooch

I would say that the paddle could be a tad short for you when paddling in flat water, but probably just about the right size for you in the surf though.

My paddle is 2m 8 and I'm about 173cm. My paddle is just a tad on the long side, however because it's so light it's no problem for me to just dig it a bit deeper in the water.

Hartzy said...

Recently got two Kia Kaha paddles, SUP and outrigger. Both are great although with a bent rudder in the OC1 at the moment haven't had a chance to try out the shorter one yet. I can definitely recommend the SUP paddle ... Woogie, got any suggestions on how to stop the little black marks from the paddle on the rails, should I cover the paddle edges in something or the board rails?

Cheers

I am glad you got your paddles I was going to email you this week to make sure.

I have got Woogie looking around for a few things while in HI at the moment we use a clear book cover to cover the rails - we also use this on the OC1 to stop the scuffing on the canoe.

Easy to get off just use turps

Take the rudder out of the canoe - get better SUP skills by paddling rudderless on the OC1

Nice paddle and great pictures..Thanks.. I like the T grip handle.. Do you have a front on pic of it? (the T grip)

DJ

How does it feel in the water shep? Looks good i like the red.