Yeah I migrated from the Kialoa Pipes to the Ke Nalu Wiki a year or so ago. I have spaghetti arms so I have to use girly paddle blades. The Wiki is considerably bigger than the Pipes but there's something about it that feels so easy to use yet still provides plenty of power. It's a terrific high cadence paddle blade.


PS. Not sponsored by Ke Nalu, the mongrel who distributes them won't even give me a free vizor.

i have the maliko and i'm really happy with it. i would get another one if i broke it.

just about everyone who has tried it likes it too.

they just seem to hold cleaner for me

I have two things in common with Tony Abbott, first I breath and secondly I am not a "tech head", so with that in mind the Ke Nalu paddle, well the "design by physics" is crap anyway, I go on the feel, weight and performance and the wiki ticks the boxes.
Broke a couple of other named paddles in the surf, had the Wiki for over a year, paddles fast in the surf and is still intact. I wouldn't mind the bigger blade paddle for flat water so I can keep up with all the young **heads, maybe after the car rego, power bills, rates, food etc are paid it could on the cards...

PTWoody said...

ockanui said...
I have two things in common with Tony Abbott, first I breath and secondly I am not a "tech head"

3 things if we count your insistence upon wearing budgie smugglers on downwinders.

I started out with a Kialoa methane, which was my go-to paddle for a while... until I tried out the Ke Nalus. I am 183cm / 100kg, but even so, find the cadence I can achieve with my Elite Wiki (100 flex) quite incredible. I remember the first time I actually had a decent long distance paddle with it, PT Woody actually commenting on how much my cadence had improved.

The other thing I love is that the paddles are quite unforgiving; a strange comment you make think, but let me explain...

If you don't plant the paddle deep and long, or you drag it further back than you ideally should, that is if you work against the physics behind the paddle, it kind of lets you know. It makes a little whoosh sound, telling you your form is crap. So what I found was that it actually improved my technique by letting me know when I was getting lazy or shabby in form.

I have since also purchased a Maliko (the middle one) elite 100 flex, which I love for downwinders. It's harder on the shoulders, but really pulls you through the water.

Great to have a local disty and a network of stockists growing around the country.

Worth having a demo of one, they are SO light and well balanced IMHO. In comparison my Methane feels sluggish.

It will be interesting to see how they compete head-to-head with other paddles with different paddlers, when SUP VIC do their annual tests - this time we are looking at paddles. Stay tuned...

* in the interest of full disclosure... I do their website for them, but I get paid by them for the work. I was into their paddles way before I did the website.

I recently bought the wiki for surf and the Maliko for flat water and DW, after trying a mate's paddles.
I bought the xtuf blades for both as I tend to be over reef most of the time and the weight difference is minor.

-xtuf wiki, with a 90% elite shaft. I'm rapt with the feel in the surf, light and positive. I like the volume and shape of the blade, particularly in the surf, there is some floatation from the blade that helps with stability. Some other light weight paddles have a very flat blade that has less feel or feedback.

-xtuf maliko, with a 60% xtuf shaft. I find the larger blade gives good power for longer distance runs but the flexy shaft reduces shoulder fatigue.

Something to consider for new buyers is their "Forever" policy as outlined below. It's certainly proof of a company standing by their product even after warranties expire. They are just simply great paddles to use.

“Forever Paddle” Policy:
If your paddle is damaged by accident, improper use, or is out of warranty you can use the “Forever Paddle” form below to request special discount pricing on repair parts. You must supply both a photo of the damage and proof of purchase to qualify for the discount. If you purchased the paddle from our website, your name and approximate purchase date is sufficient. If you bought from a dealer then the dealer name and approximate date may be adequate proof. You may also check with your dealer, many of our dealers participate in our “Forever Paddle” program and can supply discounted repair parts for paddles purchased from them.

Hi Peeps,

We have been selling the Ke Nalu paddles for a few weeks now and they are really an excellent product. The beauty is you can create a perfect paddle for any user as the paddles are shipped in component form and then we assemble them as required.

I find the Wiki a little small for me personally, I like the Maliko, and am scared of the Molokai

In terms of weight, the elite level paddle is just one ounce heavier than the elite racer and magic Quick blades but is cheaper. Stiffness in the 100% carbon shaft is a little brutal and I reckon the 90% would be more suitable to most paddlers, it's VERY stiff.

The 60% and 70% stiffness X-Tuf shafts are much nicer if you have shoulder or elbow issues or if you don't have the strength to really power the paddle up. The flex seems to help on DW'ers allowing the blade to follow the shaft at a better angle due to the speed of the board. Sort of like the way a golf club follows the golfer and the shaft.

We also sell Quickblade, Fanatic, YOB and and smaller numbers of other paddles. The pure interchangeability of the Ke Nalu makes it fit nicely into our product range. It truly is a paddle that can be customized to suit ANY paddler, especially paddlers looking outside of the norm.

Stoked to have such an impressive range of paddles in store. We also have demo's of the Ke Nalu's in Wiki (90%), Maliko (100%) and Maliko (70%).

DM

dralyagmas said...
Dare I ask how much $$

All of their Rrp pricing is on their website;
http://www.kenalu.com.au/products-page

Yeah Mags wanted to be there but Sunday is race day at the yacht club

Next time... Hope it was a good day and there was a peeler or two around

N8wx said "Is it true these are more forgiving on the shoulders I got a bung shoulder and it has been killing me lately after longer sessions if so this paddle may help and offer some relief..?"

I'd recommend the smaller blade head "Wik"i or mid size "Maliko" blade with the 60% or 70% carbon shaft then, the bit of flex will be easier on your shoulders than a 100% carbon shaft.

Also consider a shorter overall paddle length, I now have dropped down in length to my height plus span of hand. Also try ensure your elbow of the top arm is not above your top hand. Hope this makes sense...

n8wx said...
Is it true these are more forgiving on the shoulders I got a bung shoulder and it has been killing me lately after longer sessions if so this paddle may help and offer some relief..?

PS how well do 2nd hand QBs sell?

There is a lot of talk about these paddles ATM and for good reason they are a very nice paddle, however I think any brand with a bit more flex in the shaft and a smaller blade will be easier on the shoulders.

I was using a Kialoa Shaka Puu (100sq inch) for everything (surf, DW, race etc) and was loving it up until I hurt my shoulder during a two week stint in Bali paddling everyday.

When I came back I could hardly paddle so I bought a Ke Nalu Wiki (84sq inch) with an xTuff (s), s is for stiff as opposed to the more flexible xTuff.

At first compared to the bigger bladed Shaka Puu it felt tiny and I wondered if it was going to be enough blade for me (90kg) but I have got used to the smaller size and find it much easier on my shoulder.

I haven't used my Kialoa since I got the Ke Nalu so don't know how it goes compared to my bigger blade as far as speed goes for racing etc., however my shoulder feels like it is getting better which was my main reason for buying the Ke Nalu.

As it was I was thought I would have to stop paddling for a while until it recovered, but I have raced the last couple of weekends and surfed a bit and I hardly notice any shoulder pain now.
I think I am ready to try my Kialoa again and see how it compares but I am fairly sure that I will be sticking mainly to the little Wiki just to play it safe.

ShireSUP said...

n8wx said...
Is it true these are more forgiving on the shoulders I got a bung shoulder and it has been killing me lately after longer sessions if so this paddle may help and offer some relief..?

PS how well do 2nd hand QBs sell?

I dont know why, but certainly I get no more shoulder pain with mine and I have shoulder issues. I cant tell you what shaft, but i know its Maliko and thats about it.

You should try it next time were out together

There was some discussion about this on the zone waaaay back when Bill first released them. I was lucky enough to score a Maliko and a Wiki from the very first batch JC brought out & I posted something over on the zone there about NO elbow or shoulder pain after first time using a Maliko on a 20k. It's to do with tracking & grip - these paddles track so well, with so little flutter that you don't need to grip them hard & fight them into tracking straight - a tight grip, whether conscious or not, puts extra load on everything from your fingers up through your forearm, elbow, shoulders, back & neck.

Make a tight fist now, then mime a paddle stroke, release the fist, then mime another paddle stroke...feel the difference?

hey jaggerlee, have demo's of all 3 sizes. always around the coast just pm me we can hook up. cheer's Mags

I believe this is how Ke Nalu are made